Founded in late1995 (or thereabouts) by a small group of QRP enthusiasts in central North Carolina, KnightLites membership quickly started spanning the globe. We have quite a history to share, and invite you to join in as we embrace the roots as well as the future of the ever changing world of amateur radio.
We are pleased by your visit with us.
Our History -- From the Beginning
The KnightLites QRP Association
is an amateur radio special interest group founded by a group of
energetic, inspired, and like minded
Amateur (Ham) radio enthusiasts in
North Carolina.
Our “special interests” generally relate to some form
of low power radio communications, and span everything from designing
and building our own radio transmitters and receivers; orchestrating
and participating in field operations from such remote and exotic locations as
the uninhabited islands of the outer banks of the Carolinas -- often
serving as a much sought after IOTA (Island on the air), to the
mountaintops of the French Alps; and simply just to break bread
together in fellowship at our monthly QRPigOuts, sharing discoveries,
adventures, dreams, and aspirations. To nobody’s surprise,
we’ve discovered that we share many common interests, which are
often combined in our collective pursuits.
Since our early beginning in late 1995, we continue to hold fast to the following principles:
Membership is open to all (Worldwide) by self declaration and acceptance.
There are no membership dues or fees.
There is no formal nor official leadership.
There are no obligatory duties or responsibilities.
There are no requirements for participation in any form.
What we do is 100% voluntary, and self funded.
Once a member always a member.
Our name was inspired by a comment returned to Sir Gary (N3GO) via a
QSL card from Sir Tony (WA2EAA), residing in Valley Center,
California. On October 27, 1995, Morse Code communications was
established between them; with Sir Gary operating with less than 2
Watts of transmitter power from his motorhome, while
vacationing at a campground in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Having been
obviously impressed with this feat, Sir Tony acknowledged this on the
QSL card sent to Sir Gary to confirm success
of the communications with the following comment:
“My nitelite is running 2x the power and can’t get past the bathroom!”
Being a profoundly elegant representation of the magnitude of this
achievement, the nitelite's iconic representation of low power, and the
fortuitous coincidence of the timing of our founding, the KnightLites
name was born. The unusual spelling was inspired by the principles
inherent in the generous and chivalrous personalities prevalent among
our most active membership, by virtue of which we immediately
established the tradition of addressing each other as Sir or Lady as
would be appropriate. The capitalized “L” serves to partition “Knight” from the equally augmented
“Lite” which would otherwise not have been easily spotted
for its own metaphorical reference to low power.
Browse around, join us, embrace the avocation of Amateur Radio
and, above all... enjoy your visit!
Follow the News link to see what we're planning, or doing now.
Click
the Events
button to take a photo tour of
some of our exotic field trips, operating events, and projects.
The
Roundtable button will take
you to information
about our weekly ragchew net.
We would be delighted to have you check into the net and introduce yourself!
Subscribe to the KnightLites QRP Associations email reflector, click here!
Comments about the KnightLites or this site are always welcome! click here!