My first CQ DX on CW (wow)

[KI4ODO]

Well, this may be a yawner for some, but here goes # #I had the day off yesturday, spent the entire second half of the day working CW. I was feeling pretty good about it, starting to copy better and better with every qso. I got cocky and decided to call CQ DX. HOLY CRAP DUDE! After my FIRST call on what was a quiet frequency, it sounded like machine gun fire from all directions # #I thought,,,, "what have I gotten myself into" lol. But, I copied a callsign that I recognized as Italy, and had my first CW DX qso. It was pretty friggin cool. However, I had trouble copying some, it just seems some things are different, not sure how to explain it. It's like it's almost the same language, but not quite. I had another station call after but was going way too fast, and finally I was "saved" by a more experienced op who jumped in and made the contact. I was honestly relieved # #So now the count stands at one DX qso, and one DX contact on CW to Italy and Cuba. Is it my imagination, or does it just seem a little more difficult on CW to a DX station? Some of it I just don't get?
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #73, Marvin

[W0UZR]

BWWAAAHAHAHAHAHA

YUP, you got yourself in a mess. All you can do is pick out someone's call, even if it's part of it and try to get the country and have all others to stand by, and be prepared to be busy a long time. You must have a good antenna...

[WA9CWX]

Congrats!
And, BTW, since we are at the very beginning of a new cycle, keep at it, DX will become as common as water over the next several years.

Try some activity during a DX contest weekend. ALL you really need to know is the other guys' call, 599, and then a number or your state abbreviation. Pretty simple, and as it has been stated, your first 100 countries ARE possible in one weekend.

Best of luck,

Frank

[KI4ODO]

Quote[/b] (w0uzr @ June 01 2007,06:48)]#You must have a good antenna...

Actually not really, it's a G5RV for now. Part of the problem was signals fading in and out. It was kind of bad like that yesturday. But boy was it fun. I hope I didn't piss anyone off when I got lost after the first qso. The other op who obviously knew what to do could tell I was lost, and jumped in (not in a rude way) to "bail me out"

[KE4KY]

Great job..... 20m and esp. 40m in the late evening can be a lot of fun for picking up EU and SA.

Keep diving in.....you will have DXCC CW very quickly!!

[W3DUB]

I'm jealous, I've never worked a pileup yet. LOL

Always thought it would be fun. I was actually thinking of taking a trip to Easter and Galapagos Islands.. I really want to see both places. Was thinking of taking some ham gear along too.

Figured if I would I'd have a pileup to work if I did hahaah

[N2RJ]

Quote[/b] (KB3JGU @ June 01 2007,10:13)]I'm jealous, I've never worked a pileup yet. LOL

Always thought it would be fun. I was actually thinking of taking a trip to Easter and Galapagos Islands.. I really want to see both places. Was thinking of taking some ham gear along too.

Figured if I would I'd have a pileup to work if I did hahaah

If you're planning on going there, check out this rent-a QTH.

To me it sounds like a good deal, $560/week, and you get a decent station with a tower and force 12 beam to use. You also get Breakfast included. Other rent-a-QTH's in different locations such as 6Y1V or PJ2T go for thousands of dollars per week.

If you're planning on carrying your own equipment, research adequately beforehand what importing your equipment entails. Remember, not all countries are like the United States where you can just chuck your ham equipment in your suitcase and not worry about it. Some countries require advance permission, customs duty, and in some cases, a bond to be paid (to make sure you don't sell the equipment to locals).

Working a pileup is fun. I've done it from 9Y on SSB and CW. Only thing is that when it gets too large you need to operate split to control the pileup, especially if you don't have a decent antenna or power.

Last night I worked HI/AA2AP. The NA stations were drowning him. I managed to get him on the 3rd call, but some guys were relentless...

[KL7AJ]

If you were on 20 meters, you couldn't have picked a better day to work Europe. It was smokin' (up here, at least)

[KI4ODO]

Quote[/b] (KB3JGU @ June 01 2007,08:13)]I'm jealous, I've never worked a pileup yet. LOL

Neither have I LOL. I worked that one station, then got lost

[KE5FRF]

Working DX on CW is usually a different animal than ragchewing.

First of all, most DX stations have only a small English vocabulary. It isn't common to have a "ragchew" unless the band is strong and copy is good. Many ops from Germany, Sweden, obviously England and Ireland, and a few other countries speak fluent English so you'll get a few opportunities to chat in those cases.

Most of the time its, "Name, QTH and 599, 73 GL es GD DX", almost like working a contest.

My pet peeve: I love working ANYBODY on CW. But I can't tell you how many times I've called CQDX and had CO's and XE's reply (Cuba and Mexico)...I love every new contact, but after a hundred or so of that, you don't consider it DX any more.