Topband: DX Window (fwd)

[Tree N6TR]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 11:28:12 -0400
From: Tom Rauch <w8ji@akorn.net>
Reply-To: W8JI@contesting.com
To: k6se@juno.com, topband@contesting.com, Jon Zaimes AA1K <jon.zaimes@dol.net>
Subject: DX Window
Resent-Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 13:17:09 -0400
Resent-From: topband-admin@contesting.com
Resent-To: topband-owner@contesting.com

> I respectfully disagree. Other than the two contests that specify it,
> I don't think there's ever been general acceptance of this as a DX
> window. The old ARRL band plan called for a DX window of 1830-1850,
> and there was nothing in it about not calling CQ in this window. If no
> one called CQ DX, how would anyone make any contacts?

The DX Window, in the 60's and 70's, was initially for listening-only 
for any non-North America station. It was 1825 to 1830 kHz, with 
exceptions for ZL's, JA's and other stations who could not transmit 
on the lower end of the band because of LORAN.

Sometime in the 80's (for reasons many who were on the band a 
long time were never sure of) the DX Window moved to 1830-1850 
kHz and allowed CQ's, ragchews, and everything else as long as 
the QSO or attempted QSO was intercontinental. There was never 
a suggestion that USA stations NOT call CQ or ragchew with DX, 
except during some contests.

Since we now mostly operate simplex DX and since the ARRL no 
longer suggests a DX Window (although the IARU still suggests 
one), it is very important we make sure we give honest signal 
quality reports and share information with each other about 
transmitter quality.

To see how bad transmitters are getting, look at the TS2000 
reviews in ARRL and RSGB publications for SSB (IMD about 25 dB 
down below PEP...which is around -20dB using commercial 
standards) and look at www.w8ji.com under "clicks" for FT1000-
family measurements. We actively need to push ALL 
manufacturers into showing some concern for bandwidth as we mix 
weak signals and strong signals.
73, Tom W8JI
W8JI@contesting.com