Look for a huge operation from SMOM during the CQWW-SSB contest in about a month or so. I think they'll be signing 1A3A or 1A4A. They'll be QRV 10-160m.

REPLY: Outstanding!!!!...The More SMOM, the Merrier!!!!

VP
Romeo X-ray

Hey! Here's a couple of tid bits that have yet to make the DX bulletins (unless I missed something).  

Some new things are going on with ham stations in the Vatican. Special callsign HV50VR, VR for "Vatican Radio," has been authorized for IK0FVC, Francesco, the chief operator and QSL manager for HV0A and
HV4NAC, to mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Vatican's Santa Maria di Galeria broadcasting center. Look for this special callsign starting September 27th, including in upcoming contests. QSL
direct to IW0GPN. LoTW is also being looked into.

Secondly from the Vatican, Francesco has been given approval to set up
a new station, HV6SP. QSL direct to IK0FVC for this one. Details will follow on particulars of this station.

This is great news!

Vince P
KA3NRX

Thanks, Chuck. and yes you are correct in your assumption.

VP
Romeo X-Ray

Tony:

I can't answer any of your questions, but I wanted to write and thank you for your service to our country. You guys are top notch! Be safe, good luck, and hope to hear you on the air soon.

Vince P
KA3NRX
Pittsburgh, PA

K9NW:

That makes sense I guess, but it seems strange when on 20 meters conditions were so good into Skandanavia. Oh, and thank you for not responding in a condesending manner.  I greatly appreciate it.

The 23 year newbie.

Dan:

Unlike some people, I do have a life outside ham radio.  You are correct, I can not sit in the shack for 48 hours scanning every nook and cranny of ham radio frequncy spectrum searching for needed entities.  You miss the point of this post.  All day yesterday, Skandanavia was booming in here with readable if not excellent signals during this contest.  Why wasn't OJ0B one of them??? It doesn't make sense to me.  No, I don't expect any DX station to revolve around me and to be there when it's convenient for me so please put that notion out of your head. But in light of the good conditions between here and Skandanavia, I found it quite puzzling that they were no where to be found on 20 meters (or any other band for that matter), and not spotted by anyone in this hemesphere. I spent the better part of an 85 degree sunny Saturday (probably one of the last ones of the season) scanning the band for them and waiting to see them spotted, but nothing showed up.  If it weren't for the fact that I bagged 3B7C on 40 and 30 meters, the day would have been a complete waste. OJ0B being on 40 meters last night does not do me any good, as again, I have a life outside of this hobby. As for the constant advise about upgrading my station, whether I run a wet noodle or a big gun, it's not going to matter if I am not around to hear the DX when the DX is there (or vise versa).  As for wanting to work them right away, well who doesn't? Whether you're competative or not. After years of operating this way, though, instant gratification is non existant.  These experiences with OJ0B and countless others is evidence of that.

VP

Vince, by definition, you are not a big time DXer or else you'd have improved your wire antennas, etc.

REPLY: Um excuse me, but I just worked 3B7C on 40m CW and 30m CW, my friend. With my hapless wire antenna. Looks like the definition needs altered just a bit, don't ya think?  Oh well, I guess we blind squirrls find acorns occasionally!....;-DDDD...

ROMEO X-RAY

Now before some of you guys go off and say "there's that cranky G5RV and 100w operator whining again, get a friggin antenna!" let me explain. The last time it was the lousy conditions.  This time it seemed that during the SAC contest, they did not make any effort what-so-ever to contact North America.  Can anyone explain this logic?  In checking the clusters, I saw them spotted mainly buy Europeans and Asians during this contest.  From all throughout Skandanavia, there were solid signals during this contest into NA.  I can't understand why OJ0B was not one of them. I realize they were active and readable in NA during the week, but (again, before some of you start casting stones) some of us work during the week, and were depending on this weekend contest to snag a new one.  With winter coming, I don't forsee any more OJ0 expeditions at least for another 6 months.  Again, disappointing.  

Vince P
KA3NRX

WHY do US stations spot other US stations on the DX clusters? For instance N3xxx spotting K4xxx. This is not DX. ()

REPLY: I think there was a thread about this a while ago, but I am not sure.  My personal opinion is that state side stations should not spot other state side stations, except under the following circumstances:

1. Most important of them all. If someone's life is in grave danger.

2. If the other state side station is a special event station.

3. If there is a rare or freak band opening like those that occur on 10 menters at this stage of the cycle.

4. (and I am not so sure of this reason, but) If there is some kind of contest going on like field day or a state's qso party, where working other state side is part of the game.

Other than those 4 reasons, I agree with you that state side should not spot other state side. I am sure there will be several out there who will dispute that, but that's why we have forums!

Vince P
KA3NRX



 

Aren't you one of those who was complaining a few threads back about DX'ers ragchewing with the DX they're working?

REPLY: Chuck, yes you are correct, but not because I am concerned with the rate of a qso, but because I think it's pretty inconsiderate when a DX station keeps everyone waiting for an extended period of time when he knows there are a ton a people waiting.  I am not one to get bent all out of shape because a qso goes for a little bit over a typical 15 second (or less) shotgun format.  That to me is being a wee bit over the top.  I guess I am not as competative as some of you guys.  

Let me follow up with a disclaimer.  This thread was in no way intended to disuade anyone from identifying their full call sign.  That is the rule, and there is no disputing that. But if you look at the rule up close, it states that you are to identify with your full call sign every 10 minutes.  What happens in between those 10 minutes is fair game (within the boundries of good taste of course).  That is why I think it is no big deal to use the last two or the suffix in a pile up.  As long as you thow in a full ID.  I realize there are DX stations out there that won't sniff you if you don't send down your full call.  That's OK. That is their choice.  But again, I don't think it's that big of a deal when the rule is quite clear.

Vince P
KA3NRX (or perhaps I should say Romeo X-ray!...;-DDD..)





 

So you see by not sending your full call on the first go around, you force the DX and yourself into having one extra exchange to verfiy the call was received correctly. That lowers the rate.

REPLY: As usual, Phil, your responses never cease to leave me in amazement.  First of all, there is no need to use caps to emphasize your point.  No one likes to be yelled at.  Secondly, what is the big deal with rates with some of you guys?  I just don't get it. This is not a business where the bottom line makes or breaks you.  Or a matter of life or death.  Honestly, some of you guys crack me up.

VP

If you don't get through the pileup, you've made a bunch of unidentified transmissions...

REPLY: Good point. Which is why I always try to throw in the full call sign when calling the DX in a pile up I am in for more than 10 minutes (which is usually 95% of the time!).

VP

When you call DX in a pile up, how do you do it??? And do you think that calling with just the suffix or your last two letters is bad operating?  As one who has held a 2x3 call sign for the last 23 years, I see nothing wrong with calling DX with just the suffix or your last two, (as I have no intentions to change the call sign) and identifying fully during the QSO if and when it takes place.  What say you?  Calling DX with just the last two or the suffix.  Bad operating or no big deal?

Vince P
KA3NRX

To Vince, KA3NRX: There's nothing wrong with you that some more sunspots won't cure! They're coming-- be patient!

REPLY: I am trying, Chuck. Talking to the locals on 2 meters is getting might old, as is listening to static on 20!....I am still trying, though!!!...UGH!!!!

VP
Romeo-X-Ray!!!

Asking a DX station to sacrifice his rate because your 100W and a G5RV at 10' over the garage roof isn't making it into Upper Slobovia is a bit much, IMHO.

REPLY: As someone who runs 100w and a G5RV (higher than 10 feet) I have to say, what's the big deal?  Sacrificing his rate???  C'mon.  Taking the piles by numbers/districts is the best way to assure that everyone who is interested gets the opportunity to work the DX.  If some those big gun aligator stations would show a little bit of patients when DX is not working their home call area, maybe things would be a little bit more bearable.  As I mentioned before in previous posts, pile-ups suck.  I am sorry, some of you grand paps, power mongers and aligators out there might disagree with that and think that this statement is whining from an operator of a small station. Believe what you want, but even if I was running a monster station, I would still think it.  Pile-ups bring out some of the worst behavior on the air with some people.  Having the DX station take the pile by numbers/districts is the best way to aliviate that kind of behavior, and can assure that all calling can at least have a chance to snag the DX.  And it won't "sacrifice" the DX station's QSO rate, either.  That is a myth. To the creator of this thread, I agree whole heartedly, but there is no need to SHOUT either!

Vince P
KA3NRX