While big antennas and high power are nice, you do not need them to be a
successful DXer. I know of several people on the Honor Roll or close to it
who have got there with 100 watts and simple wires. One person comes to mind
who used almost all dipoles. His band totals are very high and he has over
100 countries on 160 with a low dipole and 100 watts.
Another huge ingredient is operator skill. Timing, understanding
propagation, where to call in a pile-up and patience all fall into the skill
category. In many cases, a good operator with a small station will break the
pile-up before the less skilled operator with a big station will.
My fear is that when people read they need big antennas and lots of power to
be a successful DXer is that they will give up too soon.
73,
Nate/N4YDU
-----Original Message-----
From: Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2012 9:40 AM
To: 'Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment'
Subject: Re: [TenTec] new to CW dxing
A successful dxer needs what Bob said, but also "lots of time and a plan".
It is important to know what expeditions are active and when they will be on
the air, and THEN get in there early and listen, listen, listen.
Yes, you can work the world on 5 watts and a piece of wire, but not in a
pile up and not at the wrong time of day.
The DX stations, especially the expeditions, are probably running a good
antenna and lots of power. Unless you have the same, you will hear them for
a lot longer period of time than you are able to work them through the
pileup.
So, when the rare island hits the airwaves, start listening the first day or
two. Learn how the propagation is to that QTH and what time of day his
signal peaks at your QTH. That's the time to call him. Otherwise you may
have to call all day long before you get him. After a couple of days, a lot
of people will have already worked him, and the competition is less. If you
call when propagation is optimum, there's a good chance you'll work him with
just a few calls.
And don't forget, "IT'S THE ANTENNA, STUPID!" ;-)
73
Rick, DJ0IP
-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]
On Behalf Of Bob McGraw - K4TAX
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2012 2:57 PM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] new to CW dxing
Three things:
(a) bigger/ better antenna
(b) better receiver
(c) more power
73
Bob, K4TAX
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richards" <jruing@ameritech.net>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2012 7:34 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] new to CW dxing
>
>
> On 7/2/2012 8:55 PM, Steve Mercure wrote:
>>
> There are several tricks that one can use when chasing DX on CW where
> guile is king.
>
>
> ____________________________________________________
>
>
> Ah... Hmmm....
>
> Exactly the point to my questions ! Now, what
> ARE all those little tricks ?
>
>
>
>
> OBSERVATION: There are two types of people in
> the world... There are those who learn from
> others' mistakes... and... then....
> there are the OTHERS.
>
>
> I try to stay in the former, and out of the
> latter, category. ;-)
>
>
> --------------------- K8JHR ---------------------
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>
_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
|