Actually the cost of DXA isn't that much. We compress the data before upload and for the QSO packets it ends up being about 1-1.5MB per 24 hour period. I don't remember what the cost was per byte for the satellite link was but for any expedition that isn't a totally low budget operation it doesn't add up to much.

It does take a little manpower. There is a console at the expedition site which somebody needs to monitor occasionally to make sure the link stays up and someone at the other end to check on the collector once in awhile.

Pete W6OP

We have uploaded the log and are in the process of reconciling it with the DXA database. We hope to have all the QSOs in the database within the next hour or so. Please monitor the message area on the DXA web page for updates.

Pete W6OP

We are getting some corrupted packets uploaded and we aren't sure where they are getting corrupted, in the upload link or on the PC on Clipperton. We are trying to figure it out and the best way to handle them.

Lessons we learn here will help us have a better system for Heard Island for sure. This is a trial run for Heard but we had expected it to go more smoothly than it has.

Thanks for your patience everyone.
Pete W6OP

DXA is currently down as of 1648 UTC. We are working to get it back up. As with any software, you test and test and test but when you get the real software deployed at a remote location you run into something you don't expect.

We are working to get it running and you will see it on the web page as soon as that happens.

Pete W6OP

Rather than put my post at the end of the What's DXA post I'll put it here to get attention.

Go to http://tx5k.org and click on the DXA link or go directly to DXA at http://dxa2.org

DXA is a semi realtime QSO display system. When you make a QSO it should display on the map within 1 or 2 minutes. This way you know you are in the log or if your call got busted. You do not have to refresh the web page, we do a request every minute to the web backend for new data.

The way it works is this:
The guys on the island are logging using WinTest, that is the OFFICIAL LOG! We have another program that extracts data from WinTest and puts it in a separate database. QSOs from this database are uploaded over a satellite link once a minute. So if 6 QSOs are made in a one minute period, at the end of that minute a packet is created for upload. Within one minute that packet will be uploaded. It goes to folder on a server where files are picked up once per minute and processed and sent to the DXA web site.

This means there can be up to a three minute delay (worst case) between making a QSO and it showing up on the web page. Your QSO will show up in the list of current QSOs and on the map approximately where you are located. If you see your QSO, you are in the log. If you pay attention to who worked TX5K before and after you then you can tell if your call was busted. Or, like me, another person near me has a similar call and we often are in the pileups together. I will see immediately if W6OP (me) got in the log or W6OPO (the other guy) made it. Or sometimes on phone they get me as W6AP, must be how I pronounce Oscar

In addition, DXA shows you what bands are being worked at a given time. Due to technical constraints we cannot be 100% correct on the bands but we are pretty close. Right on when the QSO rate is high. If you hover with your mouse on the QSOs in the current or previous list you should get a tooltip that gives the mode and band that was worked by that person.

Logging in:
Actually it is more a log search, not the official log but the copy we hold. We don't keep track of these or anything, it is just held in the browser and we make a query and light up the boxes of the QSOs you have already made. Also, if you are logged in and your QSO appears on screen we will play a sound (doesn't always work) and put a message in the box on the lower right to get your attention.

Problems:
They had some kind of problem get the satellite link working. Therefore we are missing a bunch of QSOs in our server database, the OFFICIAL LOG IS SAFE on the island, don't worry about it. We hope to get the QSOs uploaded soon and get them in the DXA database.

If you have more questions, or browser issues, just leave a reply here. I'll try to check back several times a day.

On the TX5K home page click on the "Blog" link to get news and see pictures from Clipperton Island.

Pete W6OP

I have a vertical I use for most DX but I also have a Moxon for 10 meters and 12 Meters. Many times I can just tell a station is there and I switch to the Moxon and it is easy copy.

When Peter I (3Y0X) was on the air I probably called for 40 hours before I finally broke through and made a contact. Later that day I was at a friends house with a 3 element Yagi. Not only was there clear copy but in 3 calls he had them in the log.

If you have the time you can sit there and try for days but most of us have limited time, work etc. If you can put up the better antennas it is a lot less frustrating.

Pete W6OP

On caution I would make is be sure you have a screwdriver that fits the screws holding on the cover correctly. The screws seem to be a soft metal and the heads will strip out easily, at least on the early models. I bought mine when it was first available.

Pete W6OP

I use Krylon Camouflage paint on all my antennas. Verticals from HF to 900MHz and Moxons, even my Steppir vertical. It has no effect at all on them other than making them less visible.

Pete W6OP

Since you are working with Bob on the Clipperton and Heard Island ask him if you can borrow a copy of his book DX-AKU. It's a great story of an Easter Island dxpedition he did in back in 1995. It will really give you a feel for all that goes into a dxpedition, planning, implementation and personalities, etc.

Pete W6OP

I use Krylon Camouflage paint on all of my antennas with no problems. It never caused any problems with my 6BTV at all, painted traps and covers.

Pete W6OP

What are your future plans? You say VHF so I assume 2 meters, later will you want a dual band antenna for 440 as well? Or do you think you may want to try some 900 MHz work? Plan ahead and use coax that will work at the higher frequencies like LMR-400 or even hardline if you think you will be doing UHF work in the future.

Pete W6OP

It is easy to do yourself. Just be real careful about the screws for the cover. Mine were really tight and I think they are softer metal than most. I had to be real careful not to strip the heads. They are probably a metric size and don't fit our screw drivers quite right.

Pete W6OP

They have a kit to make the fan quieter. I don't recall the details but I got it from their support people here in the US. It was some rubber for the mounting and a resistor to slow the fan down. I have a very quiet shack so any sounds really stand out.

What I did was just disconnect the fan. I mostly work DX and even with RTTY I only make short DX calls so I didn't see any point to having the fan.

Pete W6OP

Having mostly ground mounted verticals (moxon at 20 feet on 12 meters) signals on cw are weak but readable. Just waiting for the pileups to thin out. Tough to get through the east coast and EU signals.

Pete W6OP

I believe you can order just the capacitors from MFJ. Cheaper than buying the entire unit.

Pete W6OP