Part of our Start Here: A New Ham’s Guide to Getting on the Air guide.
QRP is one of those ham radio terms that sounds mysterious until you learn it, and then you hear it everywhere. In short, QRP means operating with low transmit power. It has grown into a whole subculture of operators who take pride in doing more with less. Here is what it actually means, why people love it, and where it falls short.
What QRP means
QRP comes from the old Q-code, a set of shorthand signals from the early days of radio. “QRP” was the signal meaning “reduce power.” Today it refers to operating at low power on purpose.
The generally accepted definition is 5 watts or less output for CW and digital modes, and 10 watts or less peak output for SSB (voice). For comparison, a typical HF radio runs around 100 watts. So QRP operators are often running a twentieth of the power of a standard station. Going even lower, running a fraction of a watt, is sometimes called QRPp.
The benefits
- Small and light gear. Low-power radios can be tiny, which makes QRP a natural fit for POTA, SOTA, backpacking, and travel. Your entire station can fit in a small pack.
- Battery friendly. Less transmit power means far less current draw. A modest battery can run a QRP rig all day, and small solar panels become practical.
- The challenge and satisfaction. Making a contact across an ocean on 5 watts is a genuine thrill. QRP rewards good operating skill, efficient antennas, and smart use of propagation.
- Often cheaper to get started. Many QRP radios, especially CW-focused kits, cost a fraction of a full-power transceiver.
The limitations
QRP is not magic, and it helps to go in with clear expectations.
- You are weaker on the receiving end. Dropping from 100 watts to 5 is roughly a 13 dB reduction, or a bit more than two S-units. In good conditions that barely matters. In a pileup or poor conditions, you can get buried.
- Your antenna matters more than ever. With little power to spare, an efficient, well-placed antenna is doing a lot of the heavy lifting. A great antenna and 5 watts will beat a poor antenna and 100 watts surprisingly often.
- Modes and conditions matter. CW and digital modes like FT8 get through at low power far better than SSB, because they are easier to pull out of the noise. QRP SSB is doable but harder.
- Ragchewing can be tougher. A long casual voice conversation on 5 watts through changing conditions can be a struggle compared to a quick, structured contact.
Example QRP radios
There is a rich world of QRP gear. A few popular examples across different styles:
- Elecraft KX2 and KX3 are premium, do-everything portable rigs beloved by SOTA and POTA operators.
- Yaesu FTX-1 Field is a modern SDR-based portable that runs QRP power levels off its battery while packing in a touchscreen and dual receivers.
- Icom IC-705 is a full-featured, all-mode portable with a color touchscreen and a built-in spectrum display.
- (tr)uSDX and QMX/QCX from QRP Labs are inexpensive, tiny radios (some sold as kits) that have made QRP incredibly accessible.
- Xiegu G90 and X6100 are budget-friendly options that offer a lot of capability for the money.
Is QRP for you?
If you like the idea of a station you can carry anywhere, running for hours on a small battery, and you enjoy a bit of a challenge, QRP is a rewarding way to operate. Pair it with a good antenna, lean into CW or digital modes when conditions are rough, and you will be amazed at what a handful of watts can do.