I, too, waited years in vain for Monaco. Finally took the bull by the horns and sent an email to Dr. Laura, 3A2MD, and asked her for a sked. Gave her specific date, mode and time and a plan B. We met, as planned on 20 meters and now I have her QSL to prove it. Try this with any resident rare DXer who has an email address and you may cut to the chase.

Good luck!

73, Wayne, K9YNF
DXCC Honor Roll
IOTA Honour Roll

As a DXCC Honor Roll and IOTA Honour Roll member with five IOTA DXpeditions under my belt (three with PSK31), I can tell you firsthand that Jim, ZL7LC, did everything right. If anyone bothered to read his pre-DXpedition instructions on his qrz.com page they would have known that he wanted ops to make a quick exchange with a signal report and name only. And of course, he wisely told everyone that he would be working split.
As for me, I worked him 3/15 on 20 meters, making that my 106th PSK31 DXCC entity worked. PSK31 is a mighty awesome and efficient DXing mode. Take it from me: I worked him LONG path--16,739 miles!

See you down the waterfall,

Wayne C. Long, K9YNF

I currently have 105 DXCC entities worked on PSK31 and 91 confirmed as I close in on getting my Digital DXCC award. I have never worked any one of these that had a split-frequency operation. And I have taken my own K3/100 and vertical dipole antenna on three IOTA DXpeditions to rare and semi-rare IOTAs and never found the need to operate PSK31 split. Nearly all of the DXCC Qs have occured on 14.070. I run DigiPan 2.0 with a SignaLink USB. Now having achieved DXCC Honor Roll after 50 years on SSB, I find PSK31 DXCC entity-hunting a very rewarding new challenge as this exciting mode is being used by more and more DXpeditions.

73 and Good Luck,
Wayne, K9YNF
Cascade, Wisconsin

Thanks so far for all the great advice on this topic. Does anyone have any more detailed digital photos of your condo rooftop installations, elevated patio installations, or stealth balcony installations for HF DXing?

Thanks,

Wayne, K9YNF

I own the TW2010L Backpacker with manual bandswitching. I only use it on my week-long IOTA DXpeditions right on the high tide line of the ocean. I use the best 3M black electrical tape sold (forgot the item number), keep the center coil section taped completely up for 20 meter use only, and it has kept out the salt air, fog, wind and rain in both Alaska and Maine. This low-angle antenna ROCKS over saltwater and is worth every penny.

Wayne, K9YNF
IOTA Honour Roll

I really appreciate the suggestions so far. As I have said, I have the opportunity to get this right way in advance.

How about commenting on the low-rise condo scenario, possibly in a downtown environment. Which of my roof-top antenna choices would you choose, and why/why not? Again, I'm looking for low-angle DX, most likely using 10-20 meters. Thanks!

Hi!

I am a 65 year-old DXCC and IOTA Honor Roller and live in a 1500 sq ft ranch home on a 2/3 acre Wisconsin hilltop. FYI, my rig is a K3, Alpha 99 amp and a 20/17 meter 4-square. I love SSB and PSK-31 DXing and should have Digital DXCC this year. I don't operate much CW.

In my future may be a condo. Two types. A ranch condo (duplex on one level) and a possible high-rise condo maybe 3 or 4 stories high (OK, a low-rise, Hi!).

The ranch condo could be in a HOA complex of ranch condos or out by itself. The high-rise could be in or near a downtown area, possibly overlooking Lake Michigan (boy, I wish it was salt water!). I would ideally want to be on the top floor.

Anyway, what I visualize right now for antennas would be this:

For ranch condo (with CC&Rs): stealth high-end (Hi-Q) flat black screwdriver hidden in the bushes.

For high-rise (unsure about CC&Rs but probably): high-end screwdriver on the balcony or roof; hex beam on 10 foot rooftop tower; SteppIR 3 or 4-element beam on 10 foot rooftop tower; or rooftop vertical with elevated radials.

I would like to run full power when needed on SSB but might go with the Elecraft 500-watt amp instead. PSK-31 DXing would be at 40-50 watts max.

Would the height advantage of the high-rise outweigh any possible city noise (motors, neon signs, etc.) problems, assuming I could get written permission ahead of time?

If the high-rise is for folks over 55, would I encounter possible electrical noise from motorized cart trickle chargers or other medical devices?

OR, should I invest in a high-end mobile station (using the K3 and maybe a 500-watt mobile amp and the Hi-Q screwdriver) for my 2010 Subaru Outback and run that in the driveway at the ranch condo, with quick-disconnect coax and AC from the garage?

The only other DXing option seems to be full remote-control from some site out of town, which has its own logistical and technical challenges. Elecraft has just rolled out its K0/K3 and Remote-Rig package which would get the job done nicely. Remote antenna would hopefully be a tower and beam.

I have the time to plan for this eventuality and don't want any buyer's remorse.

What say you? Anyone have any photos of their similar installations? I'm looking for pros and cons of these options and any and all creative solutions.

Thanks,

Wayne, K9YNF

I suggest being very proactive and emailing some of the resident rare ones to ask for a sked. Suggest up to three possible date/time/freq/mode options. This has put several very nice ones in my confirmed column.

Make it part of your daily routine to call up DX Summit to scan for any New Ones. Then when you have some free time, go into its archives and plug in what you might have missed to see where and when he was on and then look there daily at the appropriate time.

I too have a K3 and have made it my goal to work Digital DXCC on PSK31 before the end of the year. I monitor the 20 meter waterfall for my Need List daily and have worked 94 so far. More and more DXpeditions are using PSK31.

Subscribe to a weekly or daily DX newsletter like QRZ DX or The Daily DX. I also subscribe to a very good FREE DX newsletter from Italy (in English), 425 DX News, which I receive every Friday via email.

Join in the DXing fun by chasing Islands On The Air (IOTA). I am on the IOTA Honour Roll and have almost 700 IOTAs confirmed. Many of these are from DXCC counters.

And remember, it's a marathon, not a race, to the DXCC Honor Roll. Use this newest solar cycle to git er done because who knows what tomorrow may bring.

Oh, and need I mention that an amplifier can really really make your day

I am overjoyed that the ARRL finally saw the light. I have been quietly working on my 2011 New Year's resolution to work 100 DXCC entities with PSK31 and 40 watts. To date, I have worked 88, including Sudan and Kazakhstan.

Take it from me, more and more DXpeditions are and will be using this remarkably efficient DXing mode. I am active every day and just qualified for DXCC Honor Roll, so I am not a DXCC newbie. PSK31 has opened up a whole new DXing challenge for those who are CC&R oppressed or unable to afford a Big Gun station. The ARRL knows that is good for business.

I do feel for those who were in the middle of achieving what they thought was going to be an RTTY DXCC award. It's kind of what I felt like when they took away my frequencies during "incentive" licensing.

But if there is one thing I have learned in my 51 years in Amateur Radio, it is that change is inevitable. Just try to imagine how quaint Digital DXCC will sound to DXers fifty years from now.

Wayne, K9YNF

I have been a DXer for 50 years. I also spent my business career in the environmental field. Ecology, sustainability, intelligent use of valuable resources. Things like that. Important things that apply to DXing.

Now, with 331 DXCC entities confirmed and on the IOTA Honour Roll, I believe I can say I am a seasoned DXer. I have also launched 3 successful IOTA DXpeditions and will do my 4th soon.

Given the above, I cannot for the life of me see why one contact per DXpedition is not enough. I also understand the lure of awards. I like those certificates on my wall too.

It does seem, though,  that several would-be DXers like a Hummer approach when the much more efficient Prius approach would get you to the same place.

Don't think for a minute that I am talking about using QRP to work South Sudan. I use an amp just like most seasoned DXers do, to get in and out of the pileup quickly, so others may have a chance.

Just imagine how many MORE DXers could get in the DXpedition log if that DXpedition would use modern ecological, sustainable, intelligent use of their valuable operating time from a rare entity. Instead of giving out loads of band-countries and modes (and don't get me going on 'insurance contacts'!) to a few big guns, thousands more would get their priceless ONE.

I enjoy the competitive buzz, the thrill of the hunt that I find in DXing. But I also believe in democracy. The greater good. And the philosophy that we humans are all equal in the sight of our Creator. He didn't make us to be gluttons. He made us to be stewards. Why should DXing be anthing less?

Well, Mel, I have been doing PSK31 since 9/09 and have worked 75 DXCC entities using no more than 40 watts with my K3/100 and a 20 meter 4 square and also a 33 foot flagpole for 40. My best PSK31 DX contact so far occured 3 February, 2011 on 20 with VK5NE long path. We exchanged 599 RSQ's over that 14,958-mile connection. Brilliant!

I may have already answered my own question since I posted it. I just worked SP1DTG who told me that his PSK31 DXing totals are:

237 worked
217 confirmed

Granted, one has to be motivated but that would be yours truly.

Wayne, K9YNF

I am a DXer and nearly on the DXCC Honor Roll. I know that we do not yet have an official PSK31-only DXCC award (come ON, folks, push for this!) but I was wondering if anyone knows what the world record is for number of PSK31 DXCC entities worked/confirmed. I have been DXing on this powerful mode for two years now and it never ceases to amaze and thrill this DXer.

73,

Wayne C. Long, K9YNF

I have a 33-foot ZeroFive flagpole vertical in a CC&R small town subdivision. You can see a photo of my installation at the ZeroFive Web site Image Gallery. It has been up for a year and all the neighbors (many of them have flagpoles) like mine with its THREE flags (US, WI, and ARMY). I received special permission from the guy who issues building permits, just because of the height.

It has 60 insulated DX Engineering radials under a kidney-shaped mulch bed, varying in length for about 10' to over 50'. Inside, I have the recommended Palstar AT2K tuner.

I am a DXer and IOTA-chaser and I use it right now for 40-meter PSK31. Best DX so far with it on 40 is E51SC, South Cook Islands. 599 RSQ both ways (6400 miles).

ZeroFive build quality is worth every penny and Tom's customer service is legendary.

Wayne C. Long, K9YNF

I just returned from my third IOTA DXpedition, this time to rare Fox Island, Alaska, NA-197.

After exhaustive research, I chose for this airline and boat trip the Pelican 1510 case with interior black foam for my Elecraft K3/100. It just squeaked in with foam at the two ends of the radio. I chose this particular case because it is the maximum size Pelican Carry-On and it handled my need beautifully. It has a lifetime guarantee. I could have afforded any case and this is the one for me, purchased via Amazon.com. Cost: $146.49, including free shipping.

I also purchased an SKB 2SKB-4814W Deluxe ATA Golf Travel Case for my TransWorld TW2010L antenna. It has an unconditional lifetime warrantee. This hardside rolling golf case really made it so much easier to get around airports, taxis, etc and I also purchased this on Amazon.com. I FedExed it back home from Alaska and it had no issues either.

Wayne, K9YNF

Check with RF Parts Co, in San Marcos, California. I just bought LMR-400 Ultraflex , and another run of LMR_400 Direct Burial, both with soldered-on silver-teflon/gold pin PL-259s from them. Not white tho. I think that's up to your imagination.

Cal (760) 744-0700