Let's hope the pileups are less rude than they were for BS7.

REPLY: Uh yeah, right!  If there were ever a deterrent to working DX it's rude pile ups, and pile ups in general. These should not be any different.  Thank heavens I have these two in the books!  So I can sit back, listen and be entertained!

Vince P
KA3NRX

Vince what rig and microphone are you using for SSB?

Hi Phil....It's just the standard hand mic that comes with the FT857D.....It's got some punch to it....On my TS 440 I use an MC-60 desk mic, and the hand mic that came with the rig....

Had a revelation last night on 20 meters about something that has been known by many of you, I am sure, but I experienced it first hand! It involved using both SSB and CW for DXing. I heard Alex, 4Z5ML in Yafo, Israel on 20 meters SSB around 2230z with a good signal (that a G5RV at 25 feet could yank in anyway). I tried calling and calling and calling until I was blue in the face, but just could not get though because of the pile up and the conditions (both natural and my pathetic set up).  About 45 minutes later, I got fed up with trying to work DX on SSB, and decided to go down to the CW band.  And guess who was there?  Yep, it seems Alex had the same notion, fortuneatly. And sure enough after one call sent, Alex replied! I received a 569 signal report from him as he was coming in at 599. The moral of the story?  Don't let anyone tell you CW is useless, antiquated and unnecessary in this day and age. The code requirement arguements are dead and buried, that is for sure. But CW will continue on as long as these sort of operating situations occur!  Long live CW!

Vince P
KA3NRX

This according to the latest DXCC list, which I just printed up....Unlike Hong Kong or any of the old Soviet Republics, this comes as a surprise. When did this happen, and why???....Did the Cook Islands gain independence or something?...Or is this just a prefix change for the hell of it???.....And are all the N. & S. Cook hams required to change their call signs?.....

Vince P
KA3NRX

If I am not mistaken, I believe I have that same card from right around the same time. The card should continue to count for Latvia if in fact you are pursuing a DXCC or an Honor Roll award.  The collapse of the old Soviet Union saw massive changes in everything, including ham radio.  As mentioned before, the new prefix for the independent Latvia is now YL. Hang on to that old card! And any others you have from the cold war era.  They are now classics, and again, they should (and I emphasize SHOULD) still count for any DXCC awards for that same country, as only the prefixes have changed, and nothing has been deleted from the list of entities.  It's best to check with the DXCC office at the ARRL to be sure!  Good Luck.

Vince P
KA3NRX

Vince can you mount your G5RV so that it runs east west?

REPLY: Already does.

Hey guys!  Thanks for the great advice.  Yes, I know that an antenna upgrade is key, but that can't happen right now.  I do hear those countrys (when the cycle is happening) but they are ever so faint. One time I did hear Singapore when 15 meters was open to Indonesia, but again the Singapore station was very weak. Not sure what to do at this point.  I don't think an amp would help for the receive end.  If anything, that would probably cause havoc in the neighborhood.  Oh well, I guess I will just have to keep pressing on!  Thanks.

VP
KA3NRX

....worked them all using nothing but a wet noodle and no amps!  Are you out there?  I am 77 shy of snagging them all (plus or minus a few on the deleted list), and I have been using a G5RV and 100 watts for the last 20 years.  I do this only because of antenna restrictions.  I ask you, can working them all be achieved under these circumstances?  I seem to have trouble with the countries in CQ zones 24 and 26 as a result (this coupled with lousy conditions and fighting the big boys in the pilups). Political situations in places like Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria are not helping either! So I want to hear from you guys who have made the Honor Roll with nothing beyond a Dipole and 100 watts (using any mode).  Are you out there and is there hope, as I am unable to upgrade from what I have anytime soon? Thanks.

Vince P
KA3NRX

If you think it's DX, then it's DX. Nobody else's opinion matters. That said, your perception of what's DX and what isn't will probably change with time and experience.

REPLY: That's an excellent point! It's all in the perception you have. For me, I consider DX to be anything outside of the lower 48 states, even if it's 2k miles away to California.  Lindy does raise an intersting point.  If you are in EU, you can work DXCC all within 1000 miles. I never thought of that. Doesn't seem like DX, does it? Still, there is nothing is stopping any of the Euros from working into NA, SA the Caribbean or elsewhere to get their first 100, either. Again, it's all in your perception of things and what you like!

Vince P
KA3NRX
Pittsburgh, PA

Way back when I was a general at the age of 21, I worked a considerable amount of DX.  And not just in the 10 meter band either.  The majority of it was on 10 at the upswing/peak of that cycle, but I recall contacting several countries in Europe, etc. up above 14.225 mhz, too.  Listening is key, that is for sure. I will give you that they were not the rarest of the rare when it came to countries or expeditions, but it was DX none the less.  I used both ssb and cw as well, and got my code speed up which eventually led to my upgrade.  I seem to recall hanging out on a DX net that summer on 20 meters too.  Whatever it takes.  So it can be done with just a General Class ticket, especailly now that the General Class op can now go down to 21.275 ssb on 15 meters where as before it was restricted to 21.300 and up.  Again, if you want to get those rarest of the rare, they don't normally hang in the General Class areas.  Time to start studying and do less grumbleing.  

Vince P
KA3NRX

We have been through this before.  The reason so many DX-peditions operate in the Extra Class areas is because the pile-ups are probably a lot more workable due to less congestion.  As a General Class, you have the whole 10 meter band to roam in on both phone and digital modes.  I realize that is not doing you a lot of good right now, but in 4 years or so, you'll be in DX heavan. That is unless you upgrade before hand and no longer have the restrictions that you do.

Which brings me to my next point. If DX interests you to this point, then the incentive is there to take the Extra Class exam.  That's what I did, and I had to be proficient at 20 wpm code to do it too.  At one point in time I was perfectly content to go to the grave with a General Class ticket, but like you, I discovered that most of the DX hangs outside the General Class areas in the bands other thatn 10 meters. The incentive was there, I buckeled down, and I haven't taken a test since. There are no more excuses.  No more code speeds at 20 wpm (or any other speed for that matter). Just do it, get access to all of the band space, and enjoy!  And you won't have this problem any longer.

Vince P
KA3NRX

How have you sent your QSL, direct or via the buro?

REPLY: Both. And in sending direct several times with green stamps, I was under impression I financially supported, if not fed, this guy's family, or at least the families of several Greek postal workers.

SV5TS, Vassilis, on Rhodes?.....I have been trying to get a qso from 1992 confirmed from him for 5 years, and I never got a response....Please advise, someone..Thanks.

Vince P
KA3NRX

Does anyone out there know if King Juan Carlos of Spain has ever been active on the air?  And if so, did you work him?  I always wanted to work King Hussein of Jordan, but that is obviously never going to happen now. He seemed to be a very active radio amateur when he was alive, and I was wondering if the same held true for the King of Spain?  Love to find out.

Vince P
KA3NRX

Looking forward to this one, as we last worked and confirmed 7P in 1989. Can't wait!

Vince P
KA3NRX