The QRPer Board

I spend some time hunting POTA stations and I copy both CW and Phone. My question is: How many phone operators are using more than 10W? I would like to active a park using SSB, but I am not comfortable that my KX-3 has enough power for the job. Thanks for the information.

You can definitely do a successful activation with 10 watts SSB. Not every activator is willing to carry around a battery big enough to power a 100 watt rig. To give yourself the best opportunity for success, find a park (and a location in the park) where you have cell service to spot yourself on POTA.app, so that hunters are looking for you.

I’ve had great success with 10 watt SSB activations, although not many. Using something as simple as the AX1 has even worked and believe or not I’ve had more contacts on 40m than 20m with this little antenna. Still waiting on my AX3 to arrive.

Mark W2ITG

I think I’ve only used my IC-705 for SSB activations, so it’s never been more than 10W (and sometimes 5W SSB). I may have done an early one with my FT-450D before light and compact became a priority.

If the bands are not dead, you can do it without too much trouble. It just may take a little more time. If the bands are decent, I’ve had pileups while running only 10W.

My biggest advice is your antenna. If you have a decent antenna (EFHW or 1/4 wave vertical for example), you’ll do much better than if you are using a more compromised antenna. And as mentioned earlier, being spotted also is key to an easier activation. If you don’t get spotted, be prepared for frustration.

Michael - N7CCD

I am a new ham just getting started. I've successfully activated on 10–15W SSB on my KX3 using a simple 5m vertical whip, with 1000+ miles on 10W, and 1600 mile DX on 15W. Definitely possible. But also, I have to be patient in pile-ups. ☺

Folks definitely do 10w SSB activations, however it more power can help with SSB specifically. Make sure that your audio/speech compression sessions are set well to ensure as much power is getting out from sideband as possible. The KX3 can do 15w with an external battery which most KX3 operators seem to use (since the internal battery option is pretty awful with the KX3). While it isn't a huge difference, with sideband at lower power I'd say that everything can help. Make sure to use a decent antenna with adequate height, etc. Every "compromise" that you take sort of adds up; for example, a vertical or long wire (or dipole) with some height should perform considerably better than an AX1, all other things being equal.