DXing: The Exotic Hobby of Seeking Distant Signals
DXing, a thrilling hobby of seeking distant radio signals, has a rich history dating back to Marconi's groundbreaking transmissions. DXers, enthusiasts with a passion for the unknown, challenge themselves to uncover rare signals like anglers pursuing legendary fish. Learn about DX basics, historical milestones, and the code of conduct for respectful communication in the DX community. Dive into the world of DXing and discover the allure of this technical, addictive, and fascinating pursuit.
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Presentation Transcript
Welcome to the VWS DX Panel! Moderator Bill Mims W2WCM 2019 DXpedition to HC8 Harry Mamaux K3NF Operated from 1 DX entity Ron Payne WA6YOU Operated from 11 DX entities Jack Welch AI4SV Operated from 22 DX Entities Terry Hines N4ZH QSL Manager for VP5/N3SB, VP5/WX3B, VP5LP
Evenings Format Slides used to guide discussion and add structure Open question and answer format If you have a question, ask No fixed schedule Have fun It s a hobby
DX Basics DXing is the practice or hobby of sifting the airwaves for distant and hard- to-hear signals. The D stands for distance or distant location and the X stands for unknown. DXers (as they are known), challenge themselves to find that one rare signal that they know is out there, not unlike the angler trying to get that legendary fish everyone has seen but no one has caught. DX is a fascinating, addictive, exotic, sport, technical, fun, special and passion. Source: The Daily DX
DX History In the beginning. One of the first recorded DX operations was that made by Marconi on his historic single letter transmission being received across the Atlantic on December 12, 1901. In December 1921 American Paul Godley, 2ZE, was sent to Scotland to take part in a transatlantic test and receiving the first Amateur Radio message containing 12 words. During the 20 s and 30 s other Amateur Radio operators assisted other expeditions and voyages including Admiral Byrd in Antarctica and the South Pacific voyage of the schooner Kaimiloa. After World War II Amateur Radio operators continued with such famous expeditions as that of Kon-Tiki as LI2B by Thor Heyerdahl in 1947 and Bob Leo, W6PBV (now W7LR) the year afterward in Africa as part of the Gatti-Hallicrafters expedition. Shortly after Bob Denniston s, W9NWX (W0DX) Gon-Waki operation as VP7NG in the Bahamas (1948), a spoof on the Kon-Tiki expedition, he was credited with coining the term DXpedition and credit with being the father of the modern DXpedition. Source: The Daily DX
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. 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.
DX Code of Conduct (contd) 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. 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.
Keys to Success Listen, listen, listen Be Patient by the numbers , try for the DXpedition on different bands Watch the spots CAT Control click and go Spots are like a fish finder Check dead bands Gray Line What time is it? Work and move on
How to Find DX Listen, Listen, Listen Listen quickly on dead bands, particularly summer evenings, and mornings Watch Spots Web sites, DX Clusters (Telnet Sites) (DX Summit.fi, K1TTT.net, W3LPL.net) Check into DX Nets Southern Cross, 247 DX Net, others Use WARC bands during DX Contests Review DX Publications for Upcoming DXpeditions DX World, ARRL DX Bulletin, The Daily DX, DX News, 425 DX News
Whats the Best Time to Work DX? When you can hear the DX When the band is open 0430 0830 (40M, 30M, 20M) Asia, Oceana 1000 1500 (20M, 15M, 10M) Europe, Africa, South America 1630 2030 (20M, 40M, 30M) Europe, Middle East 2030 2300 (40M, 80M) - Europe Late evening and night during summer (20M, 15M) Asia, Middle East Evening and early morning during winter (40M, 30M) Europe, Asia
DXCC In a Week-End Work a Contest CW WW, ARRL, All Asia, others Augment the contest with WARC Bands (30M, 17M, 12M) Follow the gray line (e.g. 7 AM in VA is 9 PM in Tokyo, Noon in London) Where are the countries? (rough estimates, approx. 150) North America 4 Central America 12 Caribbean 25 South America - 20 Europe - 35 Asia/Oceana (partial) - 10 Africa - 40
Whats the Most Difficult Country to Work? The one you don t have They re all difficult if you don t have them The one you missed the DXpedition for because you didn t know it was happening The one you missed because you were working one you already had confirmed No extra credit for dupes
K3NF - Info DXCC 335; 8 Band DXCC; Mobile DXCC Never had a beam Never had a KW
DXing The Early Years 1964 - Gonset G-63 and Heathkit Marauder; 40M Dipole, 15 ft high; 12 AVQ ground mounted vertical - Pittsburgh, Pa; First licensed May 1962 2005 - Icom 756 Pro II, IC2KL, IC AT500 Tuner, Stealth Inverted Vee 35 ft High (center) in the trees (HOA Restriction), CAT Control, computer logging - Springfield, VA
First licensed 15 April 1962 in Livermore, California as WV6YOU. 311
01 February 1982 30 January 1985 Special Events: VU9YOU VU83YOU 176
20 December 1982 05 January 1983 DX-pedition: 9N38 Appeared in May 1983 QST 112
15 August 1993 15 October 1993 & 26 February 1994 08 March 1994
GOOD QUESTIONS ? COMMENTS ? wa6you @ arrl.net
Home Call: AI4SV QTH Madagascar USA/4 Belgium Monaco France Spain Scotland Call 5R8SV AI4SV ON9CSV 3A/AI4SV F/AI4SV EA/AI4SV 11 MM/AI4S V MW/AI4S V OE1ZJW OK/AI4S V EA/AI4SV 4 OE/AI4S V SM/AI4SV LOTW Power 166 136 61 13 12 100w 100w 25w 100w 5w 5w 5w 6 Not on LOTW Wales 5 5w 4S6 R3 HB9 ZS TA M YO FR VE2 Sri Lanka Russia Switzerland South Africa Turkey England Romania R union Canada Austria Czech Republic 5 4 5w 5w Canary Islands Austria 5w 5w 4 432 entities. Sweden 4 5w
The view from the other end
DX advice Antenna and Noise not power Split Spin & Cluster Judgement Persistence Timing 599 TU Propagation And reverse prop Sked
N4ZH Terry Hines DXCC - 336 Working DX
Summary DX is only one aspect of our multi-faceted hobby DX brings geography and world events into your shack DX is amazing how your 100 watts can go around the world DX is 20% rig and 80% propagation, and the other half is operator technique (Y.Berra) DX is an administrative nightmare LOTW is a lifesaver too bad everyone doesn t use it DX QSL cards are still cool Have fun it s a hobby
