“on being dx” – a few thoughts from the other side of the pileup
TRANSCRIPT
“On Being DX” – a few thoughts from the other side of the pileup
Robert “Harv” HarveyK2PI
What we’ll cover
• A brief career and post overview• Getting started• Operating as rare DX• Being more common DX• Challenges• Final thoughts
Anyone can be DX – you just listen up!
Career
• 27-year Federal Foreign Service career• Service in:
– N’Djamena, Chad – 6W and EL2 Ops– Manila, Philippines (Clark AFB annex) – KE2FB/DU3– Bangkok, Thailand – HS0ZCI– Phnom Penh, Cambodia – XU2FB and XUF2B– Sofia, Bulgaria – LZ/K2PI– Brussels, Belgium – ON9CPI– London, England – M0DUO
Getting Started
• Seven steps to success1. Licensing and the CEPT2. Know your import rules3. Station location and discretion4. Power – RF and EMF5. TVI/RFI6. ARRL notification7. QSL Managers
Operating as rare DX
• It really is an amazing experience• Extra 6db• Pileups• Choosing modes and hours• Balance
Being more common DX
• It is still an amazing experience• Your “virtual amp has a lower output”• Pileups – you are in in them, not are them• Modes and hours still important• You get to determine your personal challenges• Local Hams are more common
Challenges
• The noise level• Power Lines• Construction and industry• Other RFI sources
– Power– The “band is open to the middle of the ocean”– The unsolicited entreaty– Money in the Mail– RF safety
Final Thoughts
• Being DX was an amazing experience– 25 year old QSO’s still generating QSL’s– It has been a great way to connect with DX hams– The internet has made it a lot easier– Here is a (mostly) photographic review of the
various DX locations…
XUF2B as heard from StatesHonest signal reports, too….