For QRP fans and outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy finding better ways to “do more with less,” the Adventure Radio Society’s (ARS) Spartan Sprint is right up your alley. Held the first Monday of every month (the next one will be December 8, 0200Z to 0400Z), this two-hour event challenges operators to make as many contacts as possible on 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters using 5 watts or less. How low can you go? The ARS wants you to see for yourself:
“We encourage you to experiment with 1 watt or less,” the ARS website reads. “You will be surprised at how effective these low levels can be, and how much fun QRP really is. Similarly, we encourage you to experiment with simple wire antennas. And we encourage Sprinters to use equipment they built from ‘scratch’—that is, equipment built from schematics.”
The Spartan Sprint encourages, but does not mandate, use of back-country radio gear and outdoor operation. If you choose to go that route, check out this OnAllBands article from Sean Kutzko, KX9X, on backpack QRP basics.
While the Spartan Sprint is both fun and competitive, the ARS has a higher purpose for these monthly gatherings. From the ARS website:
“They (Spartan Sprints) gather fascinating information about the upper atmosphere, documenting how low power signals can travel long distances. And they encourage the growth of a like-minded community of amateur radio operators who generously share their knowledge and experiences.”
For event times and many more details, visit the ARS official website here. And you’ll find plenty of gear for portable ops at DXEngineering.com. Looking for a great lightweight mast to carry in your backpack? Here are details on the SOTABeams Carbon-6 Compact Ultra-Light Telescopic Mast (maximum 19 feet collapsible to 17 inches) available at DX Engineering.
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