A, B, C's of Dx Fundamentals of the Art of DXing V
Don Boudreau, W5FKX
The QSO: Making the Contact
Now that you know how to tune for DX, the next logical step is to develop the skills needed for making a contact (QSO). One might think that a contact is easily accomplished - just call the station and start talking ... isn't that all there is to it??? Well, maybe sometimes, but not all DX contacts are that simple. First of all, there are three types of "DX encounters", depending upon the rarity of the DX station, as well as the preference of the operator: simplex casual; simplex pileup ; and split pileup . Simplex means that a single frequency is used for the exchanges between the two stations in contact, while split (or duplex) refers to the use of different frequencies for each party, each listening on the other's frequency, but transmitting on their own. Many DXCC entities have large ham populations, so contacts are relatively easy to make. Pileups, on the other hand, are the sign of a "rare" one, so once you learn how to operate in one, look for them and get in the chase!
Simplex casual:
Simplex casual refers to the type of contact that one can expect to have with DX stations from areas that are well-represented on the bands as a result of the presence of many local ham operators or a few very active ones (see Operating Miscellany for a breakdown of the expected activity by entity). Typically, this would be between most areas of the world's continental areas: North & South America, Europe, and much of Oceania, Asia, and Africa. For example, if while tuning, you heard someone speaking with an accent that was different than your own, you should pause and listen for the call sign exchange. If it is a station that you wish to contact (a new one, or an entity that is not yet confirmed), then patiently wait until the station signs off from the contact, and then give a call. Even if the station is enjoying casual contacts, the chances are good that there may be one or two other stations also trying to call, so keep your calling to a minimum: "HL7abc this is WW5xyz", or better yet, just " ...WW5xyz", and await a response. If there is none within 2-3 seconds, repeat your call. If the DX station responds to someone else, then wait for the completion of the QSO before calling again. If you really don't need it for a "new one", then you can switch from the current VFO frequency (e.g., VFO-A) to the alternate VFO (VFO-B), and continue tuning, periodically switching back to "A" to check the status of the DX station in QSO, so that you can try again if nothing better shows up while tuning. Simplex casual is really no different than any other typical HF contact.
Simplex pileup:
While tuning, you come across a frequency on which there is a fierce commotion of stations giving out their callsigns - a pileup! Pileups are a sure sign of an interesting station to work, most frequently a DX station of interest. The first thing to do is listen for the DX - DO NOT CALL IF YOU CANNOT HEAR IT! If the DX station is transmitting on the same frequency as the callers, then this is a simplex operation. Simplex is often used when a DX station first begins operating on a new frequency, and sometimes by inexperienced operators. You should very quickly determine whether the DX operator is listening simplex (you DON'T want to make the mistake of calling simplex when the DX operator is listening split - see below). Once you know that this is a simplex pileup, then here is the strategy to use:
try to work the station as soon as possible, as pileups usually grow larger as time goes by.
judge the rhythm of the pileup to gauge pauses; when initial calling dies down, quickly "pop" in your call.
notice if the operator is responding to "tail-enders" - stations calling the DX just after the last person to work him has signed off, and if so, try a bit of tail-ending; however, be very careful not to interfere with the contact, as you may get on the DX op's "blacklist".
as a round of calling begins, hesitate a few moments before calling, so that you are one of the last.
try moving up (or down) a few hundred cycles, or even as much as a KHz or so, and call.
if you hear your callsign (or part of it), reply promptly, giving your full call twice with standard phonetics, followed by a signal report, then "over" and listen for a confirmation.
Generally speaking, the beginning of any pileup (either simplex or split) offers the best opportunity to work a rare DX station, since there is usually less competition. As others hear the pileup, or see the spots on the DX clusters, the size of the pileup will likely mushroom! Usually, once the pileup has been established, the operator may then announce a change to split operation, and begin listening up (or occasionally down) the band.
Split pileup:
Suppose, instead of a station giving out reports, you happen upon a wide swath of the band in which stations are continually giving their callsigns - a pileup that is spread over 15 KHz or more. That means that a DX station is in there somewhere ... but where?? This is a split operation - the DX is transmitting on one frequency and listening elsewhere. The purpose of this is two-fold: to try to keep the DX station's transmit frequency clear of interference by callers and, at the same time, spread out the pileup of stations calling in order to allow the DX operator to more easily pick out callers. Unless you already know what the DX station's transmitting frequency is, the first thing to do is to locate the station and make certain that you can adequately copy the DX operator well enough to hear your callsign and report. To do this, begin tuning slowly down the band from the middle of the pileup, while listening carefully. As you tune down the band, any stations heard calling are a sign that you have not yet reached the DX frequency. An example of split operation is illustrated in the figure below for a DX station calling in the 20m DX "window" on 14.195 and "... listening up 210 to 220 ...".
Usually, in a split operation, the DX operator does not listen within a few KHz of his/her frequency, as seen in the figure, so you may be able to find the bottom end, or "dead zone", of the pileup just above (or below if listening "down") the DX station frequency. Once you find the bottom of the pileup, you can begin a very careful search for the DX station. Typically, DX operators listen "up 5 ..." for SSB and RTTY, and "up 1 ..." for CW, so these are good rules of thumb to use in trying to locate the DX frequency. Once you have located the DX station, then here is the strategy for split operation:
set your transceiver for split operation, listening to the DX station on vfo-A and transmitting on vfo-B.
the DX may listen (QSX) up from 1 or 2 KHz, and in some extremes, to as much as 50 - 100 KHz or more; occasionally, they will listen down the band, or on both sides of their own frequency (Note: very wide splits, while perhaps necessary for the DX operator to hear anyone in cases of very rare operations, almost always reflect badly upon the DX community, as non-DXers are then denied their entitled use of the bands)
press and hold the Transmit Frequency Control button ("XFC" on many rigs) - this will permit you to tune vfo-B up/down while leaving vfo-A unchanged on the DX frequency. Try to locate a station giving a signal report among the calling stations. If you find one, then release the XFC and listen to the DX station - after he completes the contact, quickly give a call. Continue this routine while trying to determine the pattern of the DX operator: What is the split? Is he tuning slowly up/down or working several stations on a given frequency before tuning up/down? How much of a shift does he make between contacts? Does he take "tail-ender"?
listen up the band for the last station worked, then try calling on that frequency immediately ("tailending") as the caller is signing, but be careful not to interfere with the contact, or the DX station will not be happy with you!
ditto, but move up/down a few hundred Hz to a KHz, depending upon the up/down tuning pattern that you determined.
if you cannot determine a pattern in a reasonable period of time, then pick the clearest frequency in the split, or the middle of the split, and remain there as you call.
as before, if you are called, reply promptly by giving your call with standard phonetics, followed by a signal report, then "over" and listen for a confirmation.
For those with the operating skill, it is generally believed that for modest stations, split pileups offer a better chance at a contact than do simplex pileups. It is much more likely that a modest signal will be heard through a "clear" frequency in the spread of calling stations than if it were competing head-to-head in a simplex pileup. As a final note on split pileups, there is one aspect of these that may unduly intimidate (or even scare off) the neophyte DXer: some of the deliberate interference that often arises, and the ensuing appearance of the DX police. Please don't let these ungracious, socially impaired, or unstable individuals ruin your enjoyment. They are only a small (but noisy!) group, often acting out of frustration from their own inadequacies, trying to inflict their own pain upon everyone else. The best strategy is to ignore them and they will tire of the effort and leave.
List operation pileup
On another occasion, you may chance upon a station giving out reports in rapid succession - an almost cetain sign of a DX station! You find that he is making contacts on his own frequency (simplex), so you call him ... only to hear several people telling you to "standby ... he's using a list! ...". Huh?? what gives ...??
A procedure called a DX list operation ("List operation") is sometimes employed by inexperienced DX operators. The List Operation is similar to a net (and may actually be a net; see below), in which the DX operator allows an experienced operator (who can readily hear the DX station) to assume the role of "list taker" or "ListOp". The DX station will stand by while the ListOp asks for callers and then makes a list of 5-10 station callsigns that can be deciphered from the ensuing pileup. Once the "list" is of sufficient length, the ListOp halts the pileup, and proceeds to call the first station on the list, allowing the "listee" to call the DX station once, and give a short exchange (usually only callsign & report; sometimes name and other info if requested), and the DX station responds to the caller with a report in return. The ListOp moderates this process and admonishes any non-list callers that may try to break in. An example of such an exchange would be as follows:
ListOp: "AB5xxx make your call."
Caller: "FT88abc, this is AB5xxx, AB5xxx ... you are 55 ... 55 ... how copy?"
DXstn: "AB5xxx this is FT88abc ... thanks for 55. Your report is also 55 ...fifty-five. QSL?"
Caller: "QSL the 55 ... 73 from AB5xxx ... back to list control."
ListOp: "Good contact ... WW6xxx make your call."
In the event that the exchange does not go well (e.g., either station does not copy the other correctly), the ListOp will usually allow another try before moving on. If all is OK with the exchange, the ListOp may confirm it with the comment "Good contact .." and proceed to the next on the list until all listed stations have had their turn, at which point other lists may be taken. This continues until the DX station leaves or propagation fades.
DX List operations may be used on a DX Net, or at a random time and frequency. Typical of the latter is when a DX station operator asks someone with a strong signal to coordinate the activity of the pileup. The list operator may be a friend of the DX station, or just someone who first made contact. DX nets come and go, and can usually be found by tuning, by bulletin notes, or by word-of-mouth.
One should note that it is a generally held presumption by many that list operations are the domain of inexperienced operators in general. On the one hand, inexperienced DX operators who find themselves to be "rare DX" may be overwhelmed by the fury of the pileups that occur when they try to operate, and may feel that a "list" operation under an experienced control station provides them with a more comfortable venue. Indeed, if an operator of a rare DX station is not capable of controlling a pileup, the result can be a disastrous turmoil, turning into an unpleasant affair for everyone involved and usually resulting in the DX station quitting in disgust. Similarly, the inexperienced DX chaser may feel equally intimidated by the rigors of learning DXing and trying to control the chaos of pileups. On the other hand, the worst-case scenario is that of the lazy operators who view DX nets as an easy way to "work DX", sometimes when they cannot even copy the DX station! Because of this, DX nets are especially held in contempt by many in the DX community. However, there have been occasions when a very rare DX station would not operate in any other fashion. What should one do? The answer, as in regard to all things related to our wonderful hobby, is to be reasonable about your approach to the problem. If there is no alternative available, by all means use a DX net or a list operation to make a needed contact. In fairness, DX nets have been valuable as sources of information in the past; also, when "list DXing" is offered, skill is often required to get on the list and also to copy the exchange. Nevertheless, it would be a mistake not to see the dangers that lie in habitual "DXing" of this nature. The decision is always yours.
Weak Signals
What happens when you hear a pileup calling - or hear/see a spot for - a station that you need, but you just can't hear the DX! Aggghhhhhh!!! It happens to all of us time-and-again! Well, for some help, take a look at the final notes in the chapter on "Tuning" for more information on weak signal reception, but above all, remember the hallmark of a good DXer is P.E.P.S.I.!
Logging the contact
The very first thing to do after a successful contact is to accurately log the time, date, mode, and frequency! In the excitement and thrill of "breaking" a pileup, it's easy to rush off to tell someone about it, forgetting to log the time (or, as has happened to some of us - even the band!). It is also advisable to begin logging contacts using UTC rather than local time, as UTC is the required time/date format for QSL cards exchanged with DX stations. Note that after 00:00 UTC, the date advances as well as the hour! As an example, Saturday November 11 at 7:01 PM local Eastern Standard Time on the US east coast should be logged as 0001 UTC, Sunday November 12. Computer logging software offers a convenient way of handling this. Rather than having to mentally convert each time/date into UTC, it is much less error prone to let the computer logging program perform this for you. As one who is probably overly cautious, I would recommend that new DXers maintain both a paper log and a computer log, using local time/date in the paper log (much less error prone), and allowing the computer log to record UTC time/date. The reason for this is that computer logging software extracts time and date from the internal clock of the computer. Sometimes, because of internal battery loss or abrupt power failures, the computer may default to a "00:00" time, or, if not set properly, may not change the time when Daylight Savings Time begins (or ends). An operator who is not familiar with UTC may not even notice that the logging times are wrong! Once you are used to UTC, and can readily verify computer-logged time as correct, then the paper log can be dropped if you wish.
Despite the above warning, let me hasten to add that computer logging software is really a "must have" today. At the beginning of a contact, all you have to do is enter the callsign and the software will not only log the correct time/date, display the DXCC entity to which the callsign group belongs, provide you with info on beam heading, and other information such as the CQ Zone, but also tell you whether you already worked and/or confirmed this entity and if it is an "all-time new one" or a new one for a band or mode. Further, most logging software can be used with a transceiver-computer interface, allowing even the mode and frequency to be snatched from the transceiver and automatically entered in the log - all you do is enter the DX station callsign and the computer does the rest!
A last note on computer logs: they are extremely handy for keeping track of your DXCC count, providing easy access to data on worked count, confirmed count, all by band and mode if needed. In fact, once you begin to seriously chase DX and the DXCC awards, you will eventually wonder how anyone could possible keep up with all of the necessary award paperwork without a computer (it wasn't easy!!).
Summary
first, determine whether the DX is listening simplex or split - you don't want to call simplex when the operation is split!
if simplex, rule out a list, then try to gauge pauses in which to pop in your call, especially when calling dies down; try moving up (or down) a few hundred cycles to a KHz or so and call
if split, determine the pattern of the operator; the split; whether each successive contact is up/down from prior; then:
listen up the band for last station worked, then tail-end as the last caller is signing, but be careful not to interfere.
ditto, but move up/down a few hundred Hz, depending upon the operator pattern
if you cannot determine a pattern in a reasonable period of time, then pick a frequency within the split and remain there as you call
if you hear your call (or part of it), reply promptly, giving your call with standard phonetics, followed by a signal report, then "over" and listen for a confirmation.
Log the contact - even if you are not 100% certain of it being completed.
remember that time may be on your side: after the Big Guns make their contacts, your modest station will become more competitive in the pileup.
the above is especially true in the case of DXpeditions to rare locations - didn't get through the first day? - don't despair - better opportunities are ahead!
Finally, no matter how much information is published about the fine points of being a good operator, there will always be a few among us who cannot abide by the rules and persist in making life difficult for the rest of us. You WILL encounter them sooner or later. Sometimes a friendly word to them is sufficient to solve the problem, but usually not. Should the friendly approach not work, it is usually best to ignore the boorish behavior on their part, since further reaction from you and others is exactly what they intend to provoke. DON'T SATISFY THEM! Some cases of this type of behavior are described as part of a nice exposition on good operating practice posted by Mark, ON4WW, at www.on4ww.be/op.html (available in multiple languages!).
Now give it all a try - work some DX!
After making a contact, the next most important thing is to correctly log (record) the necessary information required for the final step: getting a confirmation of the contact, such as a QSL card or an entry in the Logbook of the World (LOTW), all of which is discussed in the next chapter on "Getting the QSL"
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