Been following this discussion and lets say there is NO 1 way to work a DX
station. Manners and patience should be practiced by ALL of US (you and I).
160M is a very interesting band and I am a relative new-comer to it (1995).
I am more privileged than some less than others in ability to put up a GOOD
receiving antenna (ask DF2PY who has been here several times). When I speak
of beverage at this QTH, if it dinner time, its a glass of wine. Other wise
its some kind of liquid.
Yes I have an 87ft tower that supports a sloper and it seems to work OK for
me. There is NO room for a beverage. I have not tried any kind of loop
(yet) though I probably should.
>From out West (hey you guys on the East Coast do know we exist) Europe is
not an every night happening. From here in New Mexico I get more chances
than those in Calif.
But I guess my biggest problem when I do hear Europe, most likely so does
the entire E. Coast and I hear "Good to see you again Bob, you are stronger
than last night". Hey folks, that would be a new country for me if I could
get through the E. Coast guys calling for another QSO with the DX station.
This is not a unique thing to TOP BAND as I ran into this on 80M many times
(that is why I avoid SSB DX with a passion). Now I do not want folks to
think they have to stand by for me. So far I have managed DXCC (at 125
worked) by doing a LOT of listening. If I hear a ;new one I will listen to
see what the DX station is doing. If he works a tail-ender, the door is
open, but tail-ending is not 3 calls. Usually this is not the case on 160M
from what I hear.
So for me I will work on getting a few more countries and I hope I do not
deliberately cause others QRM. Darn if this did not go around in a circle
to manners and patience. So I will be in any pile-up if I can hear the DX
and it is a new one for me (or maybe to work Europe after a long dry spell.
One of the ops during CQ160M CW worked an OK and was kind of thrilled about
that (we worked 2 EUs I think in the contest-remember the sloper?).
Its great to hear W8JI working stations I can not imagine hearing. Congrats
to Bill, W4ZV, on #311 (I will never get there or anywhere close). These
guys invested time and money to build there capabilities to do this. This
is to mention only a couple, there are many more VERY capable stations out
there.
So enough from me, sun is setting here in NM, my son due to arrive for
weekend visit so probably not much radio time (unless he is out with one of
his "girl-friends HE IS 21).
See you on the bands.
73 de Arne N7KA
Albuquerque, NM
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