I agree with Jim on some of the problems we encounter as DXers today. The
attitude of people today is much different than it was when I got into ham
radio back in 1976. I also think that Telnet spotting and the ease of
getting on the air via a sound card has increased the number chasing DX and
the number into digital operating. I got my first 329 DX countries confirmed
before I ever heard of DX spotting via Telnet. I have reluctantly started
using it the past 2 years because I am unable to spend as much time at the
rig as I once did. In the early 1980's four of us local hams would get on
the air evenings and each take a band and comb it for DX. If DX was found,
we called on 2 meters simplex and let the other 3 know. We got a printed DX
bulletin every two weeks and had to do some homework to prepare for a
dxpedition. It was a big help when printed bulletins were mailed to us every
week. Now I get The Daily Dx every morning via e-mail and all sorts of
services and information once not thought of. I learned headings and times
of propagation to various parts of the world by getting on the air and
operating and chasing DX. We did not have the ability to look on a web site
to confirm we were in the log. That is why I still need Bouvet as I got my
card back from the last dxpedition with that dreaded "you are not in the
log" message. I still do not have N8S in the RTTY mode. They came on 15
meters RTTY last evening about 45 minutes after I had lost propagation here
in the "Black hole" of central Missouri. I think we must all keep improving
our skills and operating practices and especially help those new to RTTY so
that they will become better operators and not part of our problems.
Now I will be after the BS7 when they are on the air. If I work them I will
only need 7O and 3Y/B to have worked them all mixed.
73.... See you in the DX pile ups and contests..... Dick KS0M
>The second problem is societal. Many believe they are ENTITLED to
something
>even if they don't want to learn or work hard to get it. Witness recent
trends
>in grade compression in schools (many fewer Fs, Ds and Cs given out),
getting
>into the "right" pre-school, helicopter parents, etc. Look at what the
>"leaders" at Enron, Adelphia, Tyco, etc. did. I don't see this trend
changing
>any time soon.
>80, 40 and 10m DXCC awards have been around a LONG time. I don't believe
they
>caused the ruination of DX on those bands.
>Finally, it's easier nowadays to be multi-band capable. We don't build our
>rigs, we don't build our antennas, we hire people to put our towers up.
All we
>have to do is point, click, and be instant QRM.
>73 - Jim AD1C
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