My experience with DXing is much like you state Jim but on really weak DX, I'm
constantly twisting knobs trying to optimize the RX....RF gain, BW, high and or
low cut, APF and its frequency settings. Whatever tool the toolbox has. Once
the sweet spot is found that digs him out the chase begins...and many times
more tweaks are necessary. That's what makes DXing a bit different from
contesting...you pretty much answer what you can hear because you usually have
several calling at the same time when contesting and tweaking the radio is not
usually done too much. DXing the focus is that one signal and finding a way to
dig it out maybe for that short window of time you have propagation...maybe a
grayline opening with only minutes...
A big difference. The same radio can be good at both but the operating
practices are way different..
I contest with my club. I don't take the Orion out of the shack..we use other
radios..mostly Icom..sometimes provided by Icom.
We've done a couple of 160m contests field day style using a 1/4 wave vertical
under a balloon over a couple dozen ground radials on transmit and a Hi-Z 4sq
on RX using an Icom 7700 and amp all on generator power...what a blast.
Great discussion....
Sent from my iPad
On Oct 18, 2013, at 6:58 PM, Jim Brown <k9yc@audiosystemsgroup.com> wrote:
> On 10/18/2013 2:47 PM, Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP wrote:
>> But if you are trying to turn in the best possible score that you can, you
>> have to stay focused on the stuff the matters.
>> Playing with knobs is usually counterproductive.
>
> And EXACTLY the same things can be said about DXing -- LISTEN, THINK, LISTEN,
> and THINK. Try to figure out where he's listening, what his patterns are, try
> to time your calls when you can fit between stronger stations, try to fit
> them between louder stations, make your calls short enough that you are
> certain that you're not stepping on someone he's trying to work. I always
> dump my call in twice as fast as I can, listen, then once, then listen, and
> so on.
>
> You don't need to be looking at anything on the radio but the spectrum
> display, and the indicator that split is turned on. :) Everything else is
> between your ears!
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
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