Topband: Why the DX doesn't always work split? Especially low bands.

[Shoppa, Tim]

Last night and tonight there were several 80M stations, and one 160M station, that were in big demand in North America and I guess worldwide, given who they were coming back to.

The callers were all exactly (or plus minus 200 Hz) on the DX's frequency. It wasn't a complete disaster... conditions were good enough that most or all the callers, could hear the DX, and when he started coming most (but not all) the callers would stop. But it was far from optimal.

Of course it's the DX's decision to split or not. But... in a not crowded band... why don't they just go split the instant they get more than a few callers? I guess one reason is they don't want to litter the whole band with callers spoiling it for other DX. Lord knows on the high bands, when there's two DXpeditions spaced a kHz from each other, it's a complete disaster. But with some clear direction (e.g. "UP2", keeping away from the DX window) from the DX it can be kept confined.

And while I'm on the subject... when RI1ANF *did* go split tonight on 160M, I got him right away. Amazing. A few months ago I didn't have a receive antenna and couldn't even hear him. And tonight, he's clear as a bell. I feel like I'm on top of the world! Just a little brag from a 160M newbie :-).

Tim N3QE