Any particular reason DXpeditions seem to prefer Extra frequencies?

[W9KDX]

I missed Pitcairn because they were EU on the usable frequencies and only in the Extra portion of 20 meters.  Now I see Grenada is doing the same thing on 20.  Is this a general practice?

[NN3W]

Honestly, yes.

[W5DQ]

I missed Pitcairn because they were EU on the usable frequencies and only in the Extra portion of 20 meters.  Now I see Grenada is doing the same thing on 20.  Is this a general practice?

Almost all DXpeditions operate in the lower portions of the SSB and CW segments for most of their efforts. However, many of them will do a stint up in the higher end (i.e. General Class areas) from time to time. That's just the way it has always been as far as I know. One special consideration is operations on 40M is driven by the "Region" of the world that they are operating from, thus the wide splits for the DX station to listen in high end of 40M and xmit in the lower end using phone to accomodate US hams.

If you're serious about chasing DX and want to work MOST DXpeditions on these rarer entities, that's a good enough reason to 1) know CW and use it and 2) upgrade to Extra Class.

Gene W5DQ

[KA3NRX]

Another reason is because (and this is just speculation on my part) the expeditions want to keep the mayhem (pile-ups) under control....Of course from what I have been seeing, it probably doesn't matter because the pile-ups have been big freaking zoos lately....I would like to think that it's because more and more people are upgrading to Extra Class (those who wish to pursue DXing on a semi-serious to serious basis)....But Gene answered your question....Start buckling down and study for the Extra exam....It's easier than ever before to upgrade....AND, the learn CW part won't hurt you, either...That's what I keep trying to tell my two meter friends who work to DX....Do those things, and you WILL increase your totals.....

V
KA3NRX

[WW3QB]

It's really the other way around. DX always preferred the lower parts of the bands and the Extra allocation was made to create the incentive to upgrade to Extra under incentive licensing (license sub-bands unique to the USA).

[N6PSE]

DXpeditions should always try to operate in the general class portion of the bands during their last weekend/days. I find that many non-US DXped operators are not even aware of the US Extra/General allocations and don't make these accomodations.

During ST0R, there were several times where I was transmitting at 14145 and trying to listen between 14240-14250, however I could not find enough clear area to listen. There were numerous nets, or guys talking about their bunions or the price of soy beans. Even with good intentions, it is not always easy to give the Gen class guys a contact. Gen class guys should really try to make use of 17 meters as much as possible.

TU and 73,

Paul N6PSE
Co-Leader, ST0R

[WA4IIF]

So, Paul, what is the price of soy beans?

[KD8MJR]

I missed Pitcairn because they were EU on the usable frequencies and only in the Extra portion of 20 meters.  Now I see Grenada is doing the same thing on 20.  Is this a general practice?

It's probably a three fold reason:

1) Keep down the amount of Traffic at the start
2) Make it exclusive for the Extra Hams and the more seasoned operators
3) Speed up the contact per minute ratio by dealing with a higher percentage of veteran operators.

What I find funny is that most of the DXpeditions at some point need more contacts so they move up to the General area to find them.

[AF3Y]

DXpeditions should always try to operate in the general class portion of the bands during their last weekend/days. I find that many non-US DXped operators are not even aware of the US Extra/General allocations and don't make these accomodations.

During ST0R, there were several times where I was transmitting at 14145 and trying to listen between 14240-14250, however I could not find enough clear area to listen. There were numerous nets, or guys talking about their bunions or the price of soy beans. Even with good intentions, it is not always easy to give the Gen class guys a contact. Gen class guys should really try to make use of 17 meters as much as possible.

TU and 73,

Paul N6PSE
Co-Leader, ST0R

What do you guys have cooking for the next DXpedition? Can you give us any hints or destinations? I am sure (or HOPING) it will be something most of us need(??) 73, Gene AF3Y

[N4NYY]

I got them on 28.490, which means a tech could have gotten them.

[KA3NRX]

I got them on 28.490, which means a tech could have gotten them.

Ditto, Vin....And way back when I was a general, I worked a bunch of DX, mostly on 10 meters and on CW....It may have not been the big expeditions, but I still managed to work a bunch of countries..and the General Class actually had privleges extended to them in recent years..(see 15m SSB)...You just have to know where to look....and again, UPGRADE!..... ....

V
KA3NRX

[N3OX]

I got my Extra back in 1999 because I finally started to work CW DX and missing out on the frequencies under the .025's was killing me.

I was an Advanced before that and that was almost always fine when I only worked phone.  I was a General for a month because General just wasn't cutting it on phone

[KD6KWZ]

I've noticed DXpeditions stay above 28.400 MHz &  below 28.500 MHz on 10 meter SSB. They could start above 28.500 MHz to reduce pileups at the start of operations, then move into the Tech region. They would also have some "elbow room" if there's more than one DXpedition on a good propagation day.

It is strange that I tend to only hear Japan outside of the US & Canada above 28.500 MHz. Yes, I can work SA, Caribbean, & Oceania wit the same setup.

And again, ITU Region 2 starts phone at a lower frequency than Region 1 on some bands.

[K7MH]

Without an extra class license and knowing CW a ham will be at a huge disadvantage in working DX. All the amplifiers and antennas in the world won't make up for it.

[W7ETA]

As mentioned, even if it not the general practise, if just one RARE!! one, like N. Korea or Yemen gets on the air and only listens in the Extra portion of any band, you will NEED your extra ticket to have a slight chance to get thru HUGE!! pile ups.

Get your extra ticket.

The big reason I wanted to upgrade from general was so that I could chase DX.

73
Bob