#12:  The guy from Georgia who speaks REAL SLOWLY and gives his call twice, both times with phonetics.  MIsses the whole thing.

Buy a X10 telephone responder and an X10 power relay module.  Don't trust the internet for absolute shut-down.  Lots of things can happen, router fails, etc, etc.  The telephone line is the most reliable connection there is.

I have the second receiver, and 2.8 and 2.1 filters in both main and sub.  I use the sub receiver all the time when chasing split DX.  I set the sub on the DX, and the main (and xmt) on whose calling.  I should point out that I am using the K3 remotely.  Wouldn't be without the sub.

What does "putting the switch to center" mean?

Don, I think you are correct regarding the spotting clusters.  Once spotted, someone doesn't need to actually hear the DX to call.  I suspect that much of the calling on top of others, or even the DX station, is because the caller can't hear.

If calling by numbers, remember that all "6's" are not in California.  Etc for other numbers.  Don't work more than 10 or 15 per number before moving to next, since band conditions change.  I have missed some DX where it took forever to get to Zero's, and then band went out.  As KC DX Club says, "zero before one"!

Antennas are a bit of science, and practical black art, espcially when dealing with compromises.  If there is a club near you, I recommend making contact, and inviting someone to come see your situation.  Probably other benefits in getting started, as well.  Go to http://www.arrl.org/find-a-club. 

OQRS, no card yet.

I don't think these guys are tuner-uppers, but QRMers.  Seems in the last few weeks (at least on 20M ssb) that some very long "tuners" seem to land on almost anything somewhat rare.  There can't be that many amps that need that much tuning.  Hams that need to get a life, or be locked up in their closet.

First, a disclaimer:  My station is in Colorado, and only operate 20M SSB.  1500 Watts
Second:  I'm referring to a DXpedition to a pretty rare entity that hasn't be activated in a long time, or only very limited.  I.E., lots want for an All Time New One, regardless of band.

OK, here we go:

At least two primary stations, one on 20CW and one on 20SSB.  20 is the money band.  Yes, band fills are nice, but to my view, getting an ATNO to as many stations as possible should be Numero 1 target.

Operate those two stations virtually continuously on 20M.  Target areas of the world based on ham population and propagation.  Don't miss propagation opportunities.

Add additional stations and operators if possible for other bands.  But never at the detriment of 20M operation.

Stations should have reasonable antennas, X Beam, etc, and run medium power (500 watts or so) so most hams have a chance to hear.

Obviously run split.  Do some split into General portion of 20M.

Do not post board leader statistics and calls.  Adds to pileups.  ATNO is more important than helping the big guns get tons of band fills.

That's my list.  Do you agree or disagree?  Add more?

Your step-up transformer is likely the EMI problem.  Aviation headsets are "carbon mike equivalent", meaning the external specs are basically same as the old aviation standard carbon mike.  I suggest you take a look at my Hints and Kinks article in April 2010 QST.  It has an adapter (no tranformer).  It works well for me, and for the many who have copied the circuit.  Even being used by at least two "super" contest stations.

Mark, good idea about PC ground strap!  I run my PC with Skype for remote, and have ferrites.  No RFI problem,  But I'm going to add the ground, just in case.   Thanks.

I use TRX Manager for my K3.  Works great.

I have been using ACLog for a long time.  Also HamCall, which I had installed on my harddrive C: (I do not use the CD for lookups).  Previously ACLog would get the name/info from C:.  However I just noticed that none of the names/info are being added to ACLog when I enter a contact.  Not sure how long this has been going on, but likely months.

HamCall installed into C:/Hamcall, with the big name file in C:/Ham0.  I went to CallBook in ACLog, selected the HamCall Buckmaster CD option, entered C:/Hamcall.   This did not work, no info transferred into ACLog.  Then tried entering C:/Ham0.  Also tried just C:.  Still not working.

I'm not sure what changed, or when.  But perhaps someone has a suggestion?

Perhaps install a 30a  240 circuit, rather than 20a, less voltage drop under load, particularly if somewhat long run.  But 20a will work.  Also many dummy loads offered for sale are limited on power/duration.  I really like the Bird dummy loads.  New, they are big bucks.  But frequently available on eBay at low prices (typically under $100).  Flat SWR clear up into the GigaHz region.  A 500 watt Bird will easily handle 1.5KW out.  My 500 watt will handle 3KW for several minutes with minimal heating.