CQ CLASSIC QRP
We continue our trip back in time across CQ’s first 75 years by reproducing classic articles from the past. Since this is our annual QRP Special, we thought it would be appropriate to reprint two classic low-power articles, starting with our first QRP column, from the November 1973 issue.
The column’s first editor was noted QRPer Adrian “Ade” Weiss, K8EEG, who was already editor and publisher of the Milliwatt, a magazine for QRP fans. The purpose of introducing Ade’s column in CQ, wrote then-editor Dick Ross, K2MGA, was not to compete with the Milliwatt, but to entice new people into giving QRP a try. By the way, only the column was new in 1973. CQ had been reporting on various low-power exploits as far back as 1947.
Our second classic article is one referenced by Ade in his first column, “The Song of the Flea,” by Mort Waters, W2NZ, published a few months earlier in the March 1973 issue. Also referenced by Ade in his column below is the cost of the then-stateof-the-art and now QRP classic Ten-Tec Argonaut transceiver (see ad at right). That wonderful rig would have set you back $288 in 1973. Just to give you some perspective in comparison to the
