I have completed the Smallwonder SW+ 20, it is now in a diecast box and just needs the controls labelling. There is space for a keyer and the RIT which will come later.
First contacts have renewed my interest in QRP. At the moment the rig is attached to an end fed half wave literally dropped out of a first floor window which is about 3m above ground. The other end is attached to a post about 1.8m high. The first QSOs have been at distances of 2000km+ and last night I had a 2 way QRP QSO (2W – 5W) at ~ 1500km. I am constantly amazed at what is possible with just 2W output and a simple antenna.
One question; when listening to QSOs with 5-9+ or 599+ both ways, why do ops maintain high powers? Why not reduce power and QRM? I remember doing that with an SSB contact to VK and we got down to single figures. Sunspots help!
(Click image to enlarge.)
Update 20 Aug 2010
I just had a QSO with K4CMH using my main antenna, an inverted L sloper. My report was 549 which at 6062km, or 3768 miles, on 2W was quite respectable!