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Calling DX and QSO Mechanics

Calling DX and QSO Mechanics. Calling DX and QSO Mechanics. First do all the stuff Bryce has mentioned: Where is the pileup? Who is he working? Can you hear the pileup? Is the pileup near an existing QSO? Where’s he going to listen next?

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Calling DX and QSO Mechanics

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  1. Calling DX and QSO Mechanics

  2. Calling DX and QSO Mechanics • First do all the stuff Bryce has mentioned: • Where is the pileup? Who is he working? Can you hear the pileup? • Is the pileup near an existing QSO? Where’s he going to listen next? • Listen: Find the Station Being Worked and Select a Frequency • Listen with a wider bandwidth (2.4 kHz)

  3. Calling DX and QSO Mechanics • If you can’t hear the pileup? • If you can hear the pileup and/or stations, try to determine where he will listen next. • If not, keep listening, check the nets and make some careful assumptions

  4. Calling DX and QSO Mechanics • How Long Should You Call? • Depends on the situation. • Weak signals? 160M? • Fast pileup on 20M? • Listen During Your Call (Do you use a footswitch? Full Break-in? • Do you have competition? • The middle of the pile might be right • Maybe the edges of the pileup?

  5. Calling DX and QSO Mechanics • Has he started to transmit? (Listen carefully) • Did he come back to someone else? (Listen carefully) • DO NOT TRANSMIT IN THIS CASE -- Listen and study • Wait for the next solicitation: Listen carefully

  6. Calling DX and QSO Mechanics • Did he come back to me? • Be Sure – If not, wait; he will call again. If he doesn’t come back to anyone, call him again. • Reply Format • Most important: Do NOTrepeat your call - even once - if the DX station already has it correctly. Not once! If you send your call again, you are telling him that he does not have it correctly. • If he doesn’t have it correctly, DO NOT send a report. Send you call again and wait.

  7. Calling DX and QSO Mechanics • Was it a “Good Contact?” • If not, work him again – he owes you that. It takes TWO to make a good contact. Both parties are responsible. This is one of the major differences between a contest and Dxpedition. • Timing: • There is a trend to “push the button too quickly.” • K6xxx vs TX7M – Slow vs Fast = • These are examples of a Poor DX Op • The Measure of your Ability: How is Your NIL Rate?

  8. Calling DX and QSO Mechanics • CW operating skill in the general ham population • Code readers: Good? • Computers, decoders, etc. Good? • Yes! But…

  9. From the DXpedition’s Point of View • The DXpedition operator is -- or should be – in charge. • Know what the DX operator can hear. It’s usually more than you imagine. So: • Don’t call out of turn. The op can hear you! Listeninstead. • If he’s asking for fives, don’t call unless you are a five, or you are portable five. Don’t be superman.  • If he says no portables, he’s a poor operator, but you have no choice. • Don’t change portables – he will know.

  10. From the DXpedition’s Point of View • If he comes back to a partial that can’t possibly be you, do not call again. Listen again instead – take the time to plan your strategy. • Be aggressive, but follow the rules – his rules • Always follow his rules. It’s his pileup and his responsibility. The pileup is a reflection of his operating skill. • For major expeditions, if you enjoyed it and can afford it, send a donation. • If it’s a vacation expedition, donations are discretionary. They shouldn’t expect a donation.

  11. Internet Resources • Online logs (shouldn’t be necessary because…) • Club Log • Real-Time log (TU2T, 5M2TT) • The online log should not include times and dates because… • Logbook of the World – an alternative • DX chat rooms

  12. Internet Resources • Remote receivers (Stew Perry, General) • Remote transmitters • Remote Stations • E-mail-based bulletins (The Daily DX, QRZ DX, etc.) • DX Alerting systems • Pagers, etc. • Software beepers • Any and all advanced communications

  13. Ethics • Use of Lists and Nets (Not so prevalent now) • Use of Internet chat rooms • Some positive features • Was it a two-way QSO on the ham bands, or was information exchanged via the Internet • Use of a surrogate to work your DX = Cheating

  14. Ethics • Altering QSL cards = Cheating • DXCC Rules • Set a definition for your DXCC • Station Location(s) for your QSOs and awards • Who’s working your DX? • Use of remote stations, receiving and transmitting for working DX

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