You will want to work 10M SSB and digital modes like RTTY and PSK31.  This will net you the most DX.  Try to operate during contests especially the 10M contests.   You may want to join a group like 10-10, they have their own contests and daily nets.

We are at the bottom of the sunspot cycle so in time the band will get better.

http://www.ten-ten.org/
http://www.contesting.com

I have never heard of it.  Perhaps if others know of it they can write a review of it here:

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/8569

>by KZ4USA on May 22, 2009
>"Say the budget is $50,000 or more???"

Radios: 2) IC7600
Amps: 2) ACOM 2000A
Towers: US Tower: HDX-589MDPL, TX-472
Towers: Big Bertha or Lasko if you want to go way over the 50K budget
Antennas: Force12 C51XRN, Sigma 280S, C39XRN
SO2R Controller: Microham MK2R+
Filters: any of these are good: ICE 419B, Dunestar600, W3NQN
Antenna Controller: Array Solutions SixPak
Software: Writelog
Computer w/dual monitors
Rotors: Yaesu: G-2800DXA, G1000DXA
Rotor Controller: 2) Idiom Press Rotor Card DXA

This QRS CW group is still very active and looking for more people to join in the fun.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/QRS-CW/

73, Jim
AD6WL

I personally use and recommend the microham MK2R+

www.microham.com

I use:

n7od.pentux.net

73, Jim
AD6WL

This is awesome news.  I will upload my logs to LOTW and also to their website with a donation.

http://ducie2008.dl1mgb.com/oqrs/index.php

73, Jim
AD6WL

Writelog and MMTTY plug-in is probably the most popular for serious contesters.  

N1MM and MMTTY plug-in is probably the most popular for budget minded ops.

Both are very good setups.  After using them both I like the Writelog/MMTTY combo better.

73, Jim
AD6WL

I'll be looking for you this evening at sunset.

Jim, AD6WL

Ray, this is always a fun contest.  Too bad I don't have my K9AY loop up yet.  Even still I will work some of the contest with my inverted V up 72'.

73, Jim
AD6WL

My granddaughter and I have operated this event (not really a contest) for the past 5 or 6 years.  The format is easy and encourages kids to get on the air.  It uses an easy exchange of Name, Age and Favorite Color.  After that exchange you can have the kids chat a little or just move on.  You can have more then one kid there and let them all operate a little.  

There is a decent amount of activity and well worth operating this event.  The kids really enjoy this.

Oh and by the way my granddaughter got here license earlier this year and is now KI6KOI and we will be operating again this year.  

http://www.arrl.org/qst/2007/12/kidsday.pdf
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/kd-rules.html

Writelog is the best I have ever used.

RTTY is also common for DX and DXpedition as the digital mode of choice.


"RTTY activity is uncommon, _except_ when there's a contest. Then, everyone fires up his rig and has a ball."

It's actually called a packet cluster.  It was first used by contesters to spot other stations that were working the contest.  It caught on with DXers also, so when there was no contest in progress it could be used to spot DX (long distance) stations.  Some hams now refer to it as the DX cluster.

73, Jim
AD6WL

Interesting polls:

http://www.hampoll.com/

73, Jim