How to Work DX

[KA4DPO]

Now that NCT's have voice privileges on 10 meters they will get to experience the fun of making DX contacts without going through and Internet link. #When 10 is open there's almost no place on the planet that you can't work. #Trouble is, ten's not open right now except for some sporadic E and occasional aurora or transequatorial F propagation.

In stead of waiting around for two more years for the sun to get active why not use the privileges you already have? #You can work plenty of DX on 80, 40, and 15 meters CW. #The best way to learn is to just get on the air. #So take some initiative and reap the rewards that go with it, wallpaper and bragging rites.

Think of it, when one of your NCT buddies says two years from now, I worked 9M6XX you can say, You already worked some 9M's 2 years ago and then sneer like (ha Looser). #See how much fun that can be?

[ve6wtf]

You should work DX
To sneer at the little guys and think of them as losers

[ne3r]

I agree John, learn CW, get on the air. I was a tech + for a while, and it was great, I wasn't in a hurry to upgrade, 80, 40, & 15 CW plus CW & Phone on 10 were enough for me!

That doesn't mean that working 10 meters is out of the question. One could get about 1/3 the way to DXCC just by working North & South America, & the Caribbean.

73
Joe
N3PAQ

[kf6rdn]

Or work DX for the reason you got into radio.. To communicate to near and distance points for the sheer love of it.

[AG3Y]

Back in the days of my youth, in Rockford, Il, there was a Cafeteria where you stood in a long line, and told the people on the other side of the serving tables, "I want that, and that, and one of those, too!" and the servers would dish out a portion, and hand it to you. However, some people took much longer to make up their minds than others.

To handle that situation, the owners of the cafeteria came up with a cute little sign that simply stated , " Remember, while over your food you ponder, that YOU were once, way back yonder! ! !"

There is an application here, that I think you should be able to figure out!

73, Jim

[N2RJ]

I don't think anyone is going to take your advice, DPO.

Those that want to work DX will get General or Extra (both very easy to get).

I don't think anyone who's interested in HF will stay tech for long.

[ky5u]

Every night about 10PM local, I feed the cat then turn on the rig on 40M CW while my wife fixes her tea and starts shutting down the house for the evening (I have to work). So I have about 30 min. Max. For this week and last, I have tuned to the Extra portion of 40M CW and worked a different DX country each evening. Last night it was Chechnia after a warm-up with Jamacia and Cuba. Night before it was Morracco after a warm up from St. Croix.

It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on...

[n0iu]

Quote[/b] (KA4DPO @ Jan. 26 2007,06:24)]The best way to learn is to just get on the air.The title of your post is How to Work DX, but all you do is tell people to get on the air and try it. That doesn't tell anyone how to work DX. What kind of advice is that?

Quote[/b] (KA4DPO @ Jan. 26 2007,06:24)]Think of it, when one of your NCT buddies says two years from now, I worked 9M6XX you can say, You already worked some 9M's 2 years ago and then sneer like (ha Looser). #See how much fun that can be?
It looks like you just want another reason to give this new generation of HF operators a hard time.

If you want to really learn how to work DX, get a copy of The Complete DX'er by Bob Locher, W9KNI or ON4UN’s Low Band DXing by John Devoldere, ON4UN. These people actually teach you how to work DX for its own reward, not as a reason to poke your finger in the eye of a newcomer to HF.

Scott NØIU

[KA4DPO]

Quote[/b] (n0iu @ Jan. 26 2007,14:35)]Quote[/b] (KA4DPO @ Jan. 26 2007,06:24)]The best way to learn is to just get on the air.The title of your post is How to Work DX, but all you do is tell people to get on the air and try it. That doesn't tell anyone how to work DX. What kind of advice is that?

Quote[/b] (KA4DPO @ Jan. 26 2007,06:24)]Think of it, when one of your NCT buddies says two years from now, I worked 9M6XX you can say, You already worked some 9M's 2 years ago and then sneer like (ha Looser). #See how much fun that can be?
It looks like you just want another reason to give this new generation of HF operators a hard time.

If you want to really learn how to work DX, get a copy of The Complete DX'er by Bob Locher, W9KNI or ON4UN’s Low Band DXing by John Devoldere, ON4UN. These people actually teach you how to work DX for its own reward, not as a reason to poke your finger in the eye of a newcomer to HF.

Scott NØIU
That is how you work DX, you get on the air and do it. #As for giving anyone a hard time, I'm offering a helpful suggestion. #Like any suggestion you don't have to take it or give it any thought if you don't want to.

[KA4DPO]

Quote[/b] (AB2MH @ Jan. 26 2007,14:27)]I don't think anyone is going to take your advice, DPO.

Those that want to work DX will get General or Extra (both very easy to get). #

I don't think anyone who's interested in HF will stay tech for long.
What was that? It's too easy to get a general? MH did you really say those words or were you under duress?

You are however, probably right.

[cu2jt]

Quote[/b] (AG4YO @ Jan. 26 2007,12:31)]Every night about 10PM local, I feed the cat then turn on the rig on 40M CW while my wife fixes her tea and starts shutting down the house for the evening (I have to work). So I have about 30 min. Max. For this week and last, I have tuned to the Extra portion of 40M CW and worked a different DX country each evening. Last night it was Chechnia after a warm-up with Jamacia and Cuba. Night before it was Morracco after a warm up from St. Croix.

It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on...
You are in my log, Charlie. Jan 10, 2007, 40m

[KC2PFV]

Yeah, CW is a really great mode.

I was a staunch supporter of removing the code when I first became licensed. Once I started learning the code, and got all the characters under my belt, not even being able to copy at 5 WPM, just knowing how to send the characters, I FELL IN LOVE.

It's an awesome mode, and let me tell you that I can sit here and call CQ for 10 minutes with no reply, yet if I call CQ on CW, even running half power, I can make contacts out of this world. It is a really fun mode, and even though I'm only in the 5-7 WPM range, I can feel the "ease" of it now. I don't have to think about character sounds, I can just hear it and write it down, as if you said it in English. I'm not going to lie and say it was "easy", but it wasn't "hard" either. A few minutes a day for two weeks and you'll be ready. On air QSO experience is where it is ALL at because you enjoy ragchewing with someone else. I have had QSOs over one hour in length, it really is a great mode. Of course, if I go above 8-9 WPM, it starts sounding like Greek to me. But, I notice I can copy a "little" more each time at those higher speeds. My goal? 10-15 WPM in one year through casual experience having QSOs on the HF/VHF bands.

I like to operate PSK31 also, and many other modes. By no means is CW the mode that God uses, but it is a great mode... Something that you need to LEARN to love and not just outright love. After a week of knowing the CW characters, you'll be asking yourself, "Why didn't I learn this earlier."

BTW: I'm a teenager, I'm not some crusty OF that many portray the CW ops to be.

73 de TOM KC2PFV

[k7mh]

The reality is that you will need to know Morse and work CW if you do get into DXing or contesting seriously.
Of course like CW, DXing and contesting is not for everyone. But there are many DXpeditions I could have never worked without using CW. My only 5A7A contact was on 30 CW and the only time I heard them reasonably well was for about a half hour so got real lucky! Ony ever heard the second VU7 group for about 20 minutes on 40 CW. Not so lucky there! Never did hear the first!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[ky5u]

Quote[/b] (cu2jt @ Jan. 26 2007,17:14)]Quote[/b] (AG4YO @ Jan. 26 2007,12:31)]Every night about 10PM local, I feed the cat then turn on the rig on 40M CW while my wife fixes her tea and starts shutting down the house for the evening (I have to work). So I have about 30 min. Max. For this week and last, I have tuned to the Extra portion of 40M CW and worked a different DX country each evening. Last night it was Chechnia after a warm-up with Jamacia and Cuba. Night before it was Morracco after a warm up from St. Croix.

It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on...
You are in my log, Charlie. Jan 10, 2007, 40m
Yeah, I almost forgot my favorite DX contact with my friend here! It was a real qso, not just a 599 swap. Thanks amigo!

[KA4DPO]

I'm disappointed that some have chosen to label this thread as a dig against "newbies". This post is a collection of helpful information and testimonials that the best DX is on CW and is relatively easy to work.

With just a little practise you can copy well enough to work anywhere on the planet even when phone is dead. Best of all you can build your own equipment, CW gear is easy to build and operate. Making a DX contact on a home brew rig is a thrill that's hard to beat.

[N2RJ]

I think the thread is great, but should have been labeled:

Want to work DX? Learn and use CW. And here's why...

[n0iu]

Quote[/b] (KA4DPO @ Jan. 27 2007,13:55)]I'm disappointed that some have chosen to label this thread as a dig against "newbies".
Hmmm... let's see what you yourself said in the very first posting:

Quote[/b] (KA4DPO @ Jan. 26 2007,06:24)]Think of it, when one of your NCT buddies says two years from now, I worked 9M6XX you can say, You already worked some 9M's 2 years ago and then sneer like (ha Looser). #See how much fun that can be?

"ha Loser?" Now tell me again why your very own comments should NOT be taken as a dig against newbies?

I am just calling a spade a spade.

[W0JBC]

Another Fight ....

Just wonderful.

I don't want people who would not ( could not ) learn morse into CW bands ...

Stop this bickering !!

They wanted phone .. Stay on phone !!

Geeze !!! Dont try to change them now please !!

JB