21 Nov 2023
DX - apt name
14 Mar 2023
11 Nov 2022
DX soundbites
10m QRP SSB DXCC was achieved over 30 years ago, so I no longer actively chase DX. If I chance on DX that is fine, but I cannot see the point of just going after it purely for another tick. 8m is different as this is real radio science.
These days I am far more interested in radio propagation. My favourite HF band remains 10m. Antennas are small and when it is wide open the world can be worked with low power on SSB..
Mostly I am on WSPR or FT8 because of my poor voice. I am told fewer people are on SSB these days. Chasing DX on FT8 seems to be the favourite activity. I guess there is less need for amateur radio for those just wanting to chat. Some years ago there was little choice.
If you want to know what some DX sounds like you may want to look at this site.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/dx-soundbites-2020 .
13 Jun 2021
DX soundbites
You may like to hear what some DX stations sounded like. These recordings were made last year. There is a link on my main website.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/dx-soundbites-2020 .
1 Jun 2020
DX is relative
Today, I want to say that DX is relative. Some must run the full legal power (or more), have a big tower and a big beam and rotator to work that last DXCC entity that half the world is shouting at. He or she probably thinks little of spending many thousands on the "hobby". To me, this is plain ego stroking.
For me, DX is what comes my way. Usually I run QRP and with this I obtained DXCC mostly on 10m SSB long ago. If I get QSOs with distant stations, fine. To me, working these stations means as much (or more) than those who choose to spend big on the "hobby".
I often tell newcomers that you can have much fun spending very little as the "grown-ups" who want to splash the cash. Rigs like the uBITX can be quite inexpensive, but are capable of working the world with modest, low, wire antennas. Of course, if you build your own rigs you can get on the air for even less. One USA company is selling very low cost DSB FT8 transceiver kits that cost less than a single meal out (remember those?).
See https://qrpguys.com/
25 May 2020
What is DX?
For me with my 10W and V2000 omni antenna I can never hope to work the stations he does. At 1250z he was trying to work a ZF that I cannot even see!
DX is relative and hopefully we can all enjoy the hobby in the ways that give us fun.
6 Aug 2018
Cape Verde Is worked on 2m from Eire!
At some point it will happen on 432 and 1296MHz. Even 10GHz would not be out of the question. Hawaii to California has been spanned many times on bands up to 1296MHz, I believe.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/august/ei3kd-sets-new-144-mhz-dx-record.htm#.W2hHq_ZFzIU
12 Jul 2018
Transatlantic FM DX
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/july/88-mhz-trans-atlantic-signals-heard-in-ireland.htm#.W0Zy8fZFzIU
11 Jun 2018
DX spots map
See https://www.dxmaps.com/spots/mapg.php?Lan=E&Frec=50&ML=M&Map=NA&HF=N&DXC=ING2&GL=N
18 Mar 2018
Super 6m DX
I guess next Es season the best mode will be FT8. I shall certainly be monitoring this band/mode.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/noctilucent .
10 Nov 2017
Real or Fake?
3 Jun 2017
"Real" DX on 6m
UK to Israel even with my poor antenna and lossy coax and QRP every summer for several years? Also, occasional reception at much greater ranges on 6m?
I'd be interested to hear your views, especially from real experts with far more knowledge than I'll ever have. These long distance Es paths have puzzled me for years. They do happen most seasons, if not all Es seasons.
25 May 2017
Yesterday on 10m JT65
Even with my low, compromise, antenna, 4 continents were spotted on 10m and my own signal was copied all over Europe. I guess the "real" DX could have been Es linking with F layer further south? Personally, I doubt this was Es alone as the distances were far too great.
N-S 10m propagation over the Equator has been possible with QRP SSB, even in sunspot minimum years. Often 10m opens, but no-one is there to enjoy it.
29 Apr 2017
Crystal set DXing
My best DX on a simple crystal set is Radio Australia (broadcasting from Australia, not via a relay), All India Radio, Cuba and the VOA from Liberia years ago. You can even envelope detect amateur SSB signals although IDing these can be tricky. Remember, all the power is provided by the TX with none required at the RX end.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/crystalset
22 Mar 2017
Don Miller W9WNV DXer
There are some YouTube interviews and his story is at http://www.k6qqq.com/the-don-miller-story-as-told-by-hugh-cassidy-wa6aud/ .
Just maybe, some are too young to remember him!
31 Oct 2016
Working QRP SSB stateside DX from the car
16 Jun 2016
Bouvet Is
10 Jun 2016
12 Feb 2016
600m DX QSO
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2016/february/greater_distance_achieved_on_600m_band.htm.
3 Dec 2015
DX spots on 10m WSPR
It will be interesting to see how 10m Es is this Dec/Jan as there is usually a small Es peak. This is far lower than the May, June, July peak.
UPDATE 1528z: In the end FR1GZ spotted me 4 times this afternoon on 10m WSPR. At the moment, I have doubts there will be any further DX spots today. It gets dark here soon and the USA seems unlikely again today.
UPDATE 1920z: FR1GZ was the only spot on 10m WSPR all day. Again, no USA spots.
UPDATE 1924z: Now QRT on 10m and 6m and QSYed to 630m (472kHz) WSPR.