DXing for Beginners By a Beginner

In a just over a year and a half of being a ham, the only thing I've found that I can do for hours on end without getting bored is DXing.

I've found that many people claim that DXing is too hard, or that they don't have the equipment, or that QSLing is too expensive.

I have one of the most basic setups a ham can have. Being 13 years old, I certainly don't have money to throw around, nor do I have the experience time in ham radio to be an expert.

So how did I end up with 188 countries?

DXing is something that EVERYONE can enjoy. And nobody says that you have to QSL to be a DXer. Many hams I talk to are DXers with over 200 countries but not a single QSL to speak of. DXing is not hard. You simply need too remember these five, simple rules:

1) Always listen before transmitting
2) Always be courteous
3) There is always propagation to somewhere
4) Know your propagation, at least basically
5) Be patient

If you already follow these 5 rules, you have 90% of what you need. For those who don't have unlimited time, a computer can be useful to pick up some DX spots. Some good spot sites are DXwatch.com, or DX summit. Your equipment matters very little for the first 50 to 75 countries. If you are very patient and willing to learn a little technique, you can stick with QRP to a wire for those earlier catches. But the easiest way to go is 100w plain transceiver and a Dipole or a good vertical.

There are excellent books out there. Too many to name, but my personal favorites are the DXCC handbook by the ARRL, and "The complete DXer", by W9KNI. Both are available from the ARRL.

While not necessary, an Extra class license helps. On 80, 40, 20, and 15 most of the good DX hangs out below the General class segment. But I worked 75 countries with a General class license, and you can too. 17 and 30 will be your best bands for now, and 12/10 when the sunspots come back. And once the sunspot cycle kicks in again, even the techs can work DX on 10M!

I recommend learning CW. CW has a very good signal to noise ration versus a SSB signal under same conditions. Of course, I have worked VU7RG, 9U9Z, and others running SSB but CW will be your best friend in poor circumstances. SSB works fine and some have achieved Honor roll #1 on SSB, but CW helps a lot.

And even at this point in the cycle, don't forget about the higher bands. Even 10 meters is open to Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America at some times, at least from the Eastern USA. I have PM5JC in Indonesia confirmed on 15M! So though not as active as 20 or 17, keep an eye on the spotting net while tuning 20 and you may get a nice surprise. 12 and 15 are often open to the pacific when other bands are not, usually in the mid/late afternoon.

While I've stated before that your equipment matters little for very casual DXing, I still recommend getting the best antenna you can. Put your Dipole up high, or get a good set of radials for your vertical. For the low bands, Beverages work nice for receive (only), and for 160/80 inverted L's are good for transmitting.

Don't abandon digital modes either! PSK31 is a very efficient mode, and with my Dipole @ 40 feet I've made it all the way to Ukraine on 3 watts using this mode!

And if you do chase awards, DXCC is not the only option. IOTA, SOTA, CQ zones, Worked all Africa (very hard!), or some of the smaller awards are fun too. I enjoy the Canadian awards. And WAC (worked all continents) makes a very nice first award.

QSLing can be easy. I won't go into detail about the complicated direct process, but via the buro is cheap and easy if you are willing to wait. And LoTW costs virtually nothing! Not all DX utilize this excellent resource, but some patient DXers have DXCC using only Logbook of the World! And though not accepted for DXCC, eQSL is fun and easy.

So next time you hear a DX calling CQ, don't just listen. Join in! It's fun!

73 and hope to hear you on the bands, de Brennen KI4PRK age 13

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