High Emotions At QRP Club Meeting
Monday, February 4, 2013 at 8:46AM By WBØRUR, on the scene
KERRVILLE, South Carolina; Feb. 4, 2013 -- Arguing and fisticuffs marked the monthly meeting of the Kerrville QRP Ham Radio Club this past weekend. Gathered at the local Denny’s Restaurant to discuss club business and enjoy the “Early Bird” special, the mood turned sour quickly when it was discovered that none of the members have ever been able to make a QSO.
QRP Club president Butch Johnson recalls the feisty meeting, while checking the QRP forum on Usenet."It’s that darn low power!" yelled club president "Butch" Johnson, a ham since 1995. Johnson has tried to make a QRP contact for the last 5 years with no success. "It’s like making a QSO with static electricity! 500 milliwatts!? One watt!? There’s just no way!"
Johnson’s outburst came as the club was having a rowdy debate over long wire antennas, commercial QRP equipment, logging software and upcoming Field Day plans.
"It’s all moot! It doesn’t matter!" shouted the club’s chief executive. "No one can work anyone else! We might as well be using tin cans!"
The club participates in a number of contests, special events and on-the-air operating activities.
To date, there are no QSOs in any of the member’s logbooks.
Tempers flared briefly when club member John Hartsberg reportedly took a swing at Johnson. For his part, Hartsberg says he was reaching for the Tabasco sauce and lost his footing. “I’ve had a case of vertigo the past few days from my sinus condition,” says 74-year old Hartsberg.
"Sure, I’m a little frustrated," says one club member who asked to remain anonymous. "I was promised freedom and mobility! Work the world on 1-watt! Oh sure, I can throw the QRP rig in a backpack and hike into the woods. And when I get there, I CAN TALK TO MYSELF!"
The Club members’ mood softened as the waitress brought the "pork chop and applesauce dinner" specials to those in attendance.
The next meeting of the Kerrville QRP Ham Radio Club is scheduled for March 3 at the Kerrville Public Library.
Those interested in learning more about the exciting world of QRP operating are invited to attend.
Reader Comments (4)
Now that was funny!!!
Literary gold right here... "Tempers flared briefly when club member John Hartsberg reportedly took a swing at Johnson. For his part, Hartsberg says he was reaching for the Tabasco sauce and lost his footing. “I’ve had a case of vertigo the past few days from my sinus condition,” says 74-year old Hartsberg." You guys are doing great. Keep up the funnies!
You jokers better still be there cuz Im moving done to round bout Mountain Home in 3.5 years BOLO !!
You guys have a wonderful sense of humor es sound like you're a great bunch of guys es perhaps a couple of yl/xyl's too.This is what our hobby is all abt, havin fun!! Too mni guys up our way take our hobby much too seriously-When ya hr me on,pls give a call!! Tnx, Greg,-W2MYA,West Caldwell,New Jersey