Tips for Successful DX-ing

Transcription

1 Tips for Successful DX-ing Don KK9H & Randy K9OR January 9, 2018

2 The Lure of DX After message handling, Dxing is the second oldest activity in ham radio The challenge of contacting the far-away, the rare, the elusive station is the essence of Dxing Along the way, you can learn a great deal about geography and propagation, improve your station and operating technique, and make friends around the world

3 Listening Single most important thing in DXing Finding the DX first Cluster helps, but draws a crowd Listening clues: the sound of DX Listening to determine operating style and habits, especially in pileups and split operation Use good communications headphones

4 DX Cluster Basics There are hundreds of DX clusters worldwide, all connected via the Internet Data submitted to a cluster DX call, frequency, station submitting is called a spot Some clusters require packet instructions to filter, while web-based clusters make filtering easier

5 DX Cluster Basics Web-based clusters include: DX Summit DX Heat DX Galaxy DX Watch DXScape DX World VE7CC LoTW Users Online

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7 DX Cluster Basics Often helpful to monitor spots from other parts of the world, via filter (e.g. DX Heat, DX Summit) or other menu choices DXScape -

8 DX Cluster Basics The cluster system is not Instant Messenger or Twitter Use it to judiciously spot DX not gardenvariety stations Listen carefully to calls and type carefully (6Y5 not BY5, PZ5 not P5Z, etc ) Beware busted calls Don t jump into a pileup if you can t copy the DX station

9 DX Intelligence

10 DX Intelligence The Daily DX DX Bulletin OPDX DX Coffee DX World NG3K DX University The New DX ers Handbook The Complete DXer W9KNI

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12 DXCC & Other Awards The ARRL s DX Century Club is the standard of DX awards There are currently 339 entities that count for DXCC A lifelong endeavor there are endorsements for confirmed entities >100 - by mode, by band, and for 5 Band DXCC 330 or more current entities confirmed gets you on the Honor Roll 339 is #1 Honor Roll

13 DXCC & Other Awards ARRL also has the Challenge bandcountries from 160-6m (1000 minimum) CQ Magazine has the Worked All Zones award, for working all 40 CQ zones (and 5-Band WAZ) IOTA Islands on the Air offers awards for confirmed contacts with identified island groups (awards start at 100)

14 The Four P s: Patience Persistence Propagation Packet Your station: The DX ers Toolkit The best antenna system you can afford/devise An amplifier only after you have the best antenna you can employ ( if you can t hear em )

15 The DX ers Toolkit The best receiver you can afford Sensitivity + filters + dynamic range Sherwood web site: /table.html Weak signals: turn RF gain down, suppress AGC; turn off pre-amp SSB: Tailor your audio for maximum communication effectiveness, and set compression correctly

16 The DX ers Toolkit Upgrade to Extra bottom of bands is where DX frequently is CW: An advantage to know gets through when conditions are marginal Send at speed of the DX Digital RTTY still a popular DX mode Other digital modes PSK, the JT modes, FT-8 Allow modest stations opportunities to work DX

17 Split Operation Split: Receive on one frequency, transmit on another Learn how split works with your transceiver Don t be the one who prompts all the Spleet Up Up Up cacaphony on the DX frequency If possible use a second receiver (some transceivers have it built-in) A panadapter can also be useful working split

18 Split Operation Listening is key to split success QSK on CW is extremely helpful Second receiver/panadapter helps find the station just worked Try to determine if the DX operator has a pattern Up 5 to 10 can mean anywhere in between, alternating between the two, or moving up and down by a certain amount between Q s

19 Split Operation The QSX frequency just listed on the Cluster will probably not work Sometimes going just a little above or below the indicated range works

20 Split (and Pileup) Operation Always try to call in the clear, even when you have the pattern figured out Try different timing of your call Once clearly, sometimes 2x or 3x on CW/RTTY Use clear phonetics on SSB If the DX says Europe only or the Whiskey 7 again don t call unless you re in Europe or a W7 If the DX has your call correct, don t repeat it give your report and move on

21 DX Propagation Basics The sun has the greatest influence on propagation solar flux/sunspots (radiation), solar storms/cme s (particles) In general, high bands during the day, low bands after dark In periods of high sunspots, high bands (20 and up) are open well after dark

22 DX Propagation Basics Propagation is enhanced along the gray line at sunrise and sunset be attuned to the DX sunrise/sunset times, as enhancement is usually short-lived With or without a beam, be aware of longpath opportunities over darkness With or without a beam, an azimuth map centered on your QTH is helpful Sometimes signals get skewed, especially on the higher bands

23 DX Propagation Basics High solar flux (SFI) is better, low A and K (geomagnetic measures) are better Although it usually puts a damper on Dxing, high K may create short HF propagation enhancements at the beginning of a solar event IARU beacons around the world allow you to check HF propagation in real time (20/17/15/12/10m)

24 Real-Time Propagation Data Many real-time indicators

25 DX Propagation Basics There are many propagation prediction programs W6EL ViewProp DX Atlas VOACap Online

26 Phonetics In general, the ARRL/NATO/aviation phonetics are OK Alpha, Bravo, Charlie Zulu But not always, depending on language of the DX If you have decent command of the DX language, use it Otherwise, try geographic letters - America, Boston, Canada...

27 Paper QSL Art of QSLing Direct: SASE and return postage IRC s not as useful as in the past Always check QSL route on QRZ.com or other QSL info sites many DX stations use a QSL manager Don t put call signs in mail addresses Make sure envelope is opaque, well-sealed, and ordinary-looking Other solutions like Bill Plum nested airmail

28 Art of QSLing OQRS Online QSL Request Offered by ClubLog Now used by the majority of Dxpeditions Confirm you re in the log QSL options of LoTW, direct, bureau Fee modest compared to cost of postage and green stamps

29 The Bureau Inexpensive, but slow Art of QSLing ARRL membership required for outgoing, but not for incoming Establish postage and envelope credits for incoming cards For 9 s

30 Logbook of The World Secure match of QSOs Art of QSLing Use for DXCC, WAS, Triple Play, VUCC, WPX, and soon WAZ Dramatic reduction in expense and delay As of 1/7/2018: 894,749, ,671, , ,932 QSO records QSL records have resulted. Users registered in the system Certificates are active

31 eqsl Art of QSLing Exchange of electronic paper QSLs Lacks verification; not accepted for DXCC credit Accepted for CQ awards if you re a bronze member of eqsl

32 DX Code of Conduct I will listen, and listen, and then listen again before calling. I will only call if I can copy the DX station properly. I will not trust the DX cluster and will be sure of the DX station's call sign before calling. I will not interfere with the DX station nor anyone calling and will never tune up on the DX frequency or in the QSX slot.

33 DX Code of Conduct I will wait for the DX station to end a contact before I call. I will always send my full call sign. I will call and then listen for a reasonable interval. I will not call continuously. I will not transmit when the DX operator calls another call sign, not mine. I will not transmit when the DX operator queries a call sign not like mine.

34 DX Code of Conduct I will not transmit when the DX station requests geographic areas other than mine. When the DX operator calls me, I will not repeat my call sign unless I think he has copied it incorrectly. I will be thankful if and when I do make a contact. I will respect my fellow hams and conduct myself so as to earn their respect.

35 Coming up late January #2 most wanted entity

36 3Y0Z Bouvet Propagation 80m dipole; 2L 65 for 40; 3L 55 for 20-10m

37 3Y0Z Bouvet Propagation 80/40/30 dipoles; 2L 35 for 20-10m

38 3Y0Z Bouvet Propagation Vertical antenna

39 Thanks and good DX!