The Ft. Smith QRP Group went all out for Arkiecon again this year. What a magnificent time was had by 150 or so enthusiastic QRP'ers! Gang, if you ever want to share fun with QRP in a small country town environment, Ft. Smith is the place to go!

Jay Bromley W5JAY and Kelsey Mikel K5PWR really do know how to have fun and put on a great show. The official word is that they will do it again next year.

The weather was perfect, the food was great and the speakers were super. Doug Hendricks KI6DS from NorCal was the master of ceremonies.

W5JAY and KI6DS

George Heron N2APB from the New Jersey club made a presentation that took the mystery out of PSK31. George is the man behind the famous Warbler kit that is currently making it extremely easy to get on PSK31. George's talk explained in simple language how PSK works and it's advantages on the air.

N2APB and KI6DS

Next up were the two visitors from England, Graham Firth G3MFJ and Tony Fishpool G4WIF. Graham and Tony demonstrated how it is possible to build many pieces of test equipment that the average amateur can use in aligning and troubleshooting equipment. Many of their creations were constructed in Altoids mint tins, hence the title of their presentation was "Test Equipment that Doesn't Cost a Mint".

G3MFJ	G4WIF

The final presenter was Jim Kortge K8IQY, the designer of the famous 2N2/40 rig. Jim's presentation was the 4017 40 meter to 17 meter transverter. Jim used Manhattan construction techniques and commonly available parts to build the transverter that allows most any 40 meter rig to work on the 17 meter band. He went through the circuit, stage by stage, to explain the inner workings of his design. Jim is a master builder and really knows his RF design theory. The 4017 transverter will be available as a kit from the New Jersey club.

K8IQY	4017

Again this year the Ft. Smith Group had a terrific door prize for one lucky QRP'er. The lucky winner was Chuck Carpenter W5USJ who won a complete FT817 station, including a W6MMA MP-1 antenna and not one, but a complete set of keys from KK5PY! Not only was this Chuck's lucky day but it was his and his wife Margie's anniversary. What a way to celebrate!

Margie and Chuck Carpenter

Of course, the Ft. Smith Hamfest was in the room next door. Vern Wright W6MMA was there with his wonderful antennas, and Dennis Foster KK5PY had a table full of his beautiful keys. Jim Cates WA6GER was visiting Dennis' table.

Mr. Antenna W6MMA	WA6GER and KK5PY

The fun continued into the evening, with a super barbecue dinner courtesy of the Ft. Smith gang. After dinner, Dennis Foster KK5PY put up a couple of antennas using fiberglass fishing poles and we got some stations on the air.

KK5PY Antenna Farm

Dave Redfearn N4ELM set up a portable PSK31 station and made some contacts on 20 meters PSK. Dave's complete station fits into a computer bag, including a solar panel for power.

N4ELM's Portable PSK31

The homebuilt equipment contest had many excellent entries. The first place winner was Mike Fitzgibbon NØMF's homebrew regenerative receiver. Mark Hogan N5OBC had the Red Hot 20 transceiver that was featured in the December 2000 QST on display.

NØMF's Rigs	NØMF's Iowa 10	NØMF's Winner
K8IQY's Rigs	K8IQY & His Rigs	More Rigs

Dr. Megacycle KK6MC	Jim Cates & Doug Hendricks

We are thankful for the many visitors from far off lands for making the trip to Ft. Smith. It was a pleasure to meet many of the famous and not so famous QRP operators and share a day of FUN!