“On Being DX” – a few thoughts from the other side of the pileup

Robert “Harv” HarveyK2PI

What we’ll cover

• A brief career and post overview• Getting started• Operating as rare DX• Being more common DX• Challenges• Final thoughts

Anyone can be DX – you just listen up!

Career

• 27-year Federal Foreign Service career• Service in:

– N’Djamena, Chad – 6W and EL2 Ops– Manila, Philippines (Clark AFB annex) – KE2FB/DU3– Bangkok, Thailand – HS0ZCI– Phnom Penh, Cambodia – XU2FB and XUF2B– Sofia, Bulgaria – LZ/K2PI– Brussels, Belgium – ON9CPI– London, England – M0DUO

Getting Started

• Seven steps to success1. Licensing and the CEPT2. Know your import rules3. Station location and discretion4. Power – RF and EMF5. TVI/RFI6. ARRL notification7. QSL Managers

Operating as rare DX

• It really is an amazing experience• Extra 6db• Pileups• Choosing modes and hours• Balance

Being more common DX

• It is still an amazing experience• Your “virtual amp has a lower output”• Pileups – you are in in them, not are them• Modes and hours still important• You get to determine your personal challenges• Local Hams are more common

Challenges

• The noise level• Power Lines• Construction and industry• Other RFI sources

– Power– The “band is open to the middle of the ocean”– The unsolicited entreaty– Money in the Mail– RF safety

Final Thoughts

• Being DX was an amazing experience– 25 year old QSO’s still generating QSL’s– It has been a great way to connect with DX hams– The internet has made it a lot easier– Here is a (mostly) photographic review of the

various DX locations…

XUF2B as heard from StatesHonest signal reports, too….