I think this message should be read by every DXer in the world.


73 Rag LA5HE


Since the 1930's, there has been a long standing rule - Never
call a DX station on his XMT frequency.

Call him 50 to 300 Hz up - he will hear you even running a tight
filter.

This evening A61RA was on the low end of 40M CW. At least
12 to 15 stations were calling him on his QRG preventing most
folks from copying his return calls. Some stations were even
"beacon calling". Come on guys, if you are doing this, how are
you or anyone else going to hear him ??

Some stations went Up and worked him. The A61RA station
was answering calls both Up and on his QRG. This is not a
good habit. The A61RA Op should have specified Up if he
was going to listen for stations calling Up. This, of course,
created more confusion.

40M used to be known as the "gentleman's band" and for a
lot of the old Ops it still is. What does this mean ?? It means
if you call the DX once or twice, relatively in the clear, and get
no reply, you QRX and let another station try. After a few other
stations try, and some will be able to get through as they can
hear the DX, then you try again. As more stations make the QSO,
the QRM gets less, making it easier for you and others to get
through.

During the last ARRL CW DX contest, I actually heard stations
taking their turn, one by one, in calling and working a UA0 on 40M.
If one did not make it, he did a QRX and let the others try.

Courtesy, consideration, and a little common sense will go a long
way in getting you that DX QSO.

Well, from an ole CW fogey - thanks !!! Larry, K4WLS