TopBand: 3B7RF

[Chris R. Burger]

I spent an hour or two chasing 3B7RF around the low bands last night 
(14 May around 22:00 UTC).  As they are fairly local to us, and we 
can hear both them and many of the stations they are working, I 
thought I'd pass along some observations that could come in handy 
with marginal signals.

*  Several of the operators seem to think that they are operating 
split, when in fact they are listening on their own frequency.  This 
technique becomes a problem when the operator changes the VFO knob 
position, thinking that it is only moving the receive frequency.  In 
other words, be prepared to tune a little after very QSO.  They move 
as much as 300 Hz on CW after some QSOs.

*  Some QSOs are abandoned at a very late stage (after callsigns and 
reports have been exchanged).  The operator sends "NIL" once, and 
continues calling CQ.  Because the parties are not hearing one 
another very clearly, the caller is often transmitting when the "NIL" 
death sentence is passed, and probably goes away thinking that the 
QSO has been valid.  I suggest you check the log server and take out 
insurance if your QSO is not in there.

However, despite these comments, they have been readily workable.  
Most DXers I've heard from have caught at least several new 
bands/modes.  In my case, I managed three new bands in less than two 
hours of chasing.  Now if only they can all appear on the log 
server...

Chris R. Burger
ZS6EZ

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