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eHam Forums => DXing => Topic started by: N0UN on March 21, 2023, 10:39:45 PM

Title: DXCC Bandfill Chart?
Post by: N0UN on March 21, 2023, 10:39:45 PM
What are DXers using for bandfill charts these days?

I made these years ago and they sure help me, especially when there's several DXpeditions going on simultaneously.

https://www.n0un.net/n0un-dxcc-bandfill-chart/ (https://www.n0un.net/n0un-dxcc-bandfill-chart/)

NØUN
Title: Re: DXCC Bandfill Chart?
Post by: WO7R on March 21, 2023, 10:43:55 PM
Don't bother, don't need to.

I filter the raw "spotting" stream and that stream only prints out the band/modes I need for whatever is on.  I do this whether there's an expedition running or not.  Seems to be pretty effective in practice.
Title: Re: DXCC Bandfill Chart?
Post by: ZL1BBW on March 21, 2023, 11:39:32 PM
I am over the moon if I can get one band/mode for a new one.
Title: Re: DXCC Bandfill Chart?
Post by: KE4KY on March 22, 2023, 12:09:34 AM
Thanks for sharable download...
Title: Re: DXCC Bandfill Chart?
Post by: N4UFO on March 22, 2023, 12:18:57 AM
I have a sheet of paper with handwritten lines like this:

3/31
VK9NT  160  80              17        12  10   SSB

3/28
YJ0CA   160  80              17  15  12  10   SSB

The date is the end of the DXpedition (if it IS a DXpedition), the bands are bands I need, modes listed are modes I need. When I work'em I circle, when they show up in the log, I mark them out and then I have a separate sheet elsewhere for QSLing. I currently have 19 calls/prefixes on the single half sheet of paper. I like your sheets, and I am one to keep close track, but I just don't have that much room on my desk!!! (I also paper logs laid out!)  :D
Title: Re: DXCC Bandfill Chart?
Post by: K3NRX on March 22, 2023, 05:50:59 AM
I am over the moon if I can get one band/mode for a new one.

That makes two of us.

V
K3NRX
Title: Re: DXCC Bandfill Chart?
Post by: VK3KTT on March 22, 2023, 05:54:29 AM
if i got that technical i would be taking this seriously we have lots of band fill boys here in vk we run a marathon like contest but it is for confirmed dxcc for the year.

but thats actually a pretty handy piece of paper i'm might need to pinch it thanks wayne catch you in the pile ups next month
Title: Re: DXCC Bandfill Chart?
Post by: N2SR on March 22, 2023, 06:58:09 AM
DXView in the DXLab software. 

Title: Re: DXCC Bandfill Chart?
Post by: KD6KVL on March 22, 2023, 06:58:20 AM
I use one on logger32 that highlights your slot for the entity and lists previous slots.  I also use a paper bingo board like Clublog uses and check them off as I go.  Nice, analog, old school simplicity for the win.  These are nice because I don't have to enter a call in the log, but just look over where I hang them on the wall.  I also use a white board listing expeditions or stations I'm chasing with start and end dates and bands I need that I erase as I work them.
Frank KG6N
Title: Re: DXCC Bandfill Chart?
Post by: KM4SII on March 22, 2023, 08:25:52 AM
If a DXpedition uses real-time logging, I do not bother since I can just look at the checkmarks on ClubLog. Otherwise, I have a simple template in Google Sheets for keeping track of band slots worked. I start with all of the cells filled in red, switching the cells to green as I work new band slots.

73
Mason - KM4SII
Title: Re: DXCC Bandfill Chart?
Post by: EI2GLB on March 23, 2023, 12:21:58 PM
I bet the Digital section gets lots of use at your QTH Wayne  ;D

I use one that is a single station per A4 sheet that I have laminated that I reuse after each expedition ends but I like the way you can have up to 6 on yours, I might borrow it and laminate a couple of them to have here,

73
Trevor
EI2GLB
Title: Re: DXCC Bandfill Chart?
Post by: KD8MJR on March 23, 2023, 02:37:42 PM
Wayne I thought you used HRD?
It does display all the worked bands and confirmed bands for an entity.

It's kind of strange that you bought this up today.  I was just discussing with another Ham how all of these Bandfills and modes are really starting to turn me off.   It's fine when the Dx is just a casual contact and I log them on a new band, but when I see the amount of DQRM and crap you have to go through just to get a single contact on some of theses DXpeditions it kind of makes me wonder why so many of us try for numerous bands and modes.

 If it is 5 band DXCC one seeks then it's not all that hard to casually make it in just over a decade or so of casual DXing if you have a good antenna and a decent Dipole for 80m. 
IMHO HR mixed is about the only realistic goal for most people.  Only those that are truly on the top of the Food chain or are fossils can even dream of HR for specific modes.
Anyway I guess some people love to chase things like the Challenge point etc.
Title: Re: DXCC Bandfill Chart?
Post by: KD6KVL on March 23, 2023, 02:46:54 PM
Its like a repetitive bingo game you can play with your friends.  Breaks up the boredom between new ones.  The DQRM is a bummer, but a DX'er perseveres and rises above.  Different stroke and whatnot...
Frank KG6N
Title: Re: DXCC Bandfill Chart?
Post by: N4UFO on March 23, 2023, 02:50:12 PM
If it is 5 band DXCC one seeks then it's not all that hard to casually make it in just over a decade or so of casual DXing if you have a good antenna and a decent Dipole for 80m. 
IMHO HR mixed is about the only realistic goal for most people.  Only those that are truly on the top of the Food chain or are fossils can even dream of HR for specific modes.
Anyway I guess some people love to chase things like the Challenge point etc.

5BDXCC? Have had it for a long time. I actually have 9BDXCC & just submitted my 10th band for WAC. But Honor roll? HA! I finally made it to 300 Mixed. So while you think Honor Roll is a realistic goal for most... DXCC Challenge is by far a much more reasonable goal for me. (If I count QSL cards, I'm at ~2075 at the moment.)
Title: Re: DXCC Bandfill Chart?
Post by: KD8MJR on March 23, 2023, 07:49:07 PM

5BDXCC? Have had it for a long time. I actually have 9BDXCC & just submitted my 10th band for WAC. But Honor roll? HA! I finally made it to 300 Mixed. So while you think Honor Roll is a realistic goal for most... DXCC Challenge is by far a much more reasonable goal for me. (If I count QSL cards, I'm at ~2075 at the moment.)

LoL no, i don't think Mixed HR is a reasonable goal!
I have already given up on it.  Once you get past about 324 it becomes such an uphill task that IMHO it's just about impossible.
Once all the low hanging and medium fruit are picked your just waiting for  years to have another miracle activation to happen.
3Y0J and FT8WW where just one of those things that I just don't see happening again for a long long time.
Title: Re: DXCC Bandfill Chart?
Post by: N0UN on March 23, 2023, 09:12:55 PM
Wayne I thought you used HRD?
It does display all the worked bands and confirmed bands for an entity.

It's kind of strange that you bought this up today.  I was just discussing with another Ham how all of these Bandfills and modes are really starting to turn me off.   It's fine when the Dx is just a casual contact and I log them on a new band, but when I see the amount of DQRM and crap you have to go through just to get a single contact on some of theses DXpeditions it kind of makes me wonder why so many of us try for numerous bands and modes.

 If it is 5 band DXCC one seeks then it's not all that hard to casually make it in just over a decade or so of casual DXing if you have a good antenna and a decent Dipole for 80m. 
IMHO HR mixed is about the only realistic goal for most people.  Only those that are truly on the top of the Food chain or are fossils can even dream of HR for specific modes.
Anyway I guess some people love to chase things like the Challenge point etc.

I do. And Ham Radio Deluxe does a great job of tallying my Awards Tracking and lays out a nice Matrix, but I run my sheets to keep up with current DXpeditions.  Sometimes even 2 sheets for up to 12 DXpeditions.

I always thought it was odd that some folks feel if you work and confirm some Entity that you shouldn't make future Q's that could stiff some little pistol out of their Q.  Well, guess what - I work everyone I want just so some undeserving schmuck doesn't get my Q, bwahahahahaha!  More for me and crumbs for them.  Why in the world do we acquire some knowledge, pay our dues, build a station, raise towers & antennas, etc. - just to NOT use it?  Bullshit.  No way.

If I ever get to 340, I'll probably just start again. My funky little DXpedition Bandfill (https://www.n0un.net/n0un-dxcc-bandfill-chart/) sheets and all!

NØUN
Title: Re: DXCC Bandfill Chart?
Post by: N4UFO on March 23, 2023, 11:04:47 PM
IMHO HR mixed is about the only realistic goal for most people.


So while you think Honor Roll is a realistic goal for most...

LoL no, i don't think Mixed HR is a reasonable goal!

Realistic... reasonable... kinda the same thing, aren't they? I was quoting you, though...  ;)

But I agree with your re-thought... no, HR is not a reasonable (or realistic) goal for me. Which is why I chase the DXCC Challenge. Or when you said 'Challenge points', did you mean that yearly thing? If you meant that, then I agree with you... I'm not quite up to chasing that yet either. I still have enough HF band fills and re-working my 6m grids (QTH change) with my little 100 watts and low antennas (30' above ground max) to keep me busy.  :)
Title: Re: DXCC Bandfill Chart?
Post by: W2IRT on March 23, 2023, 11:36:32 PM
IMHO HR mixed is about the only realistic goal for most people.


So while you think Honor Roll is a realistic goal for most...

LoL no, i don't think Mixed HR is a reasonable goal!

Realistic... reasonable... kinda the same thing, aren't they? I was quoting you, though...  ;)

But I agree with your re-thought... no, HR is not a reasonable (or realistic) goal for me. Which is why I chase the DXCC Challenge. Or when you said 'Challenge points', did you mean that yearly thing? If you meant that, then I agree with you... I'm not quite up to chasing that yet either. I still have enough HF band fills and re-working my 6m grids (QTH change) with my little 100 watts and low antennas (30' above ground max) to keep me busy.  :)

The way things are today, no. Honor Roll is no longer a reasonable goal for anybody just getting in within the last 5-10 years, at least as it exists under the rules at the moment. I got really lucky and started down my path in 2001, and if I'd been more attentive and a bit luckier I'd be at the top of the Honor Roll at the moment, but I let three get away. I'm at 337 Mixed HR, 337 Phone HR, and 333 CW HR. I'm two back of Digital HR now, but I have my doubts I'll ever get the last two I need, barring a miracle.

The Marathon is something I enjoy every year. I've never competed for the actual award, but I use the process to see how many I can bag mixed high power every year. 2016 was the best-ever, with 268 DXCC and WAE entities worked, plus all 40 zones. I doubt we'll ever match or better that.

5 Band DXCC is something that can be done in a couple of contest weekends if you get lucky. My best-ever was 4 bands (10-40), and 77 on 80m in CQWW a few years back, and that's with one modest antenna per band, 1500W and a tower up to 62 feet. I use DX Labs for award and band-mode tracking. You can enable the "Leaderboard" function in Spot Collector to alert you when each piggyslot comes up on the cluster.
Title: Re: DXCC Bandfill Chart?
Post by: AJ8MH on March 27, 2023, 12:34:44 PM

I use an Excel (LibreOffice) workbook with 6 sheets all tied together.
 1)  DXCC Summery
 2)  DXCC QSL Card Tracking
 3)  DXCC Tracking by Mode
 4)  DXCC LoTW Callenge Tracking
 5)  DXCC Want List
 6)  QSL Card-LoTW Work Sheet (Compare Sheet)

I can copy-and-paste from LoTW, too.  Works great until LoTW updates the entity list, then I have to go into the spreadsheet and modify it.

I got bored several years ago and built it over a couple weekends.