Five most important things for top DX
 

A group of what I would call the world's top DXer's recently debated the
four most important causes of getting world class DX results. Whilst there
was not unanimous agreement, the general consensus was that the four most
important things in getting those really rare far off DX catches was:

1) site location
2) conditions (propagation)
3) antenna
4) DXing ability
5) receiver
in that order being the most important for DX reception.

1) I agree with that totally. As Conrad Hilton said of the hotel business,
the three most important things a
POSITION, POSITION, POSITION
and so it is with DXing.
A really good DX site can't be beaten.
Very best is a quiet site at the seaside next to the surf.

2) Propagation conditions also play a most vital part. Poor conditions =
poor results no matter what.

3) and 4) - I would rate 4) DXing ability slightly ahead of 3) antenna. I
used to know a young DXer who got the most amazing results just because of
his innate DXing ability. Now we have my mate Gary Deacon who also gets the
most amazing results at Miller's Point with only 40m/130ft of wire strung
out. Admittedly though, a short but well placed antenna can do wonders at a
good DX site.
I also have achieved amazing DX results with antenna's as short as 100 foot
strung out well at holiday locations

5) receiver - I agree with this totally. The fellow I mentioned above used
to DX with a Lowe HF150, a really modest RX, but he used to run rings around
many of us with much more fancy gear.

Then one year I will never forget in the Danish DX club annual competition -
a fella with a Yaesu FRG-7700 won hands down. This is a really mediocre
RX..!!

And now we have my friend Gary Deacon DXing away with his FROG, the
venerable analogue Yaesu FRG-7. Now I owned a FROG for a year on account of
its legendary MW DX capabilities, but personally wrote it off as near
useless due to its wide open 1000 Khz roofing filter and wide not very good
filters. Yet Gary consistently produces top line results of world class
quality on his FROG, proving the point that DXing ability is far more
important than a decent RX. A sobering thought for those of us touting the
top line RX's we own.

I asked Gary recently why he uses the old FROG and doesn't upgrade to a
decent modern digital RX. He answered by giving a pleasurable sigh and said
it was "steam radio"...!!! He has a Drake R7 by the way, an outstanding DX
machine in my opinion, but he prefers his FROG and does exceptionally well
with it...!!??

--
John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa
South 33 d 47 m 32 s, East 20 d 07 m 32 s
RX Icom IC-756 PRO III with MW mods
Drake SW8 & ERGO software
Sony 7600D GE SRIII
BW XCR 30, Braun T1000, Sangean 818 & 803A.
GE circa 50's radiogram
Antenna's RF Systems DX 1 Pro, Datong AD-270
Kiwa MW Loop
http://www.dxing.info/about/dxers/plimmer.dx

John Plimmer wrote:

[snip]

5) receiver - I agree with this totally. The fellow I mentioned above used
to DX with a Lowe HF150, a really modest RX, but he used to run rings around
many of us with much more fancy gear.

Somehow this doesn't surprise me. The HF-150 is a 'meat and potatoes'
type of receiver, but it's surprising to see just what it can do at
times. It's a well-designed receiver. The people who made the HF-150
understood that there's more to a good receiver than a big pricetag, a
plastic case, and lots and lots of "features".

Steve

John Plimmer wrote:
A group of what I would call the world's top DXer's recently debated the
four most important causes of getting world class DX results. Whilst there
was not unanimous agreement, the general consensus was that the four most
important things in getting those really rare far off DX catches was:

1) site location
2) conditions (propagation)
3) antenna
4) DXing ability
5) receiver
in that order being the most important for DX reception.

1) I agree with that totally. As Conrad Hilton said of the hotel business,
the three most important things a
POSITION, POSITION, POSITION
and so it is with DXing.
A really good DX site can't be beaten.
Very best is a quiet site at the seaside next to the surf.

2) Propagation conditions also play a most vital part. Poor conditions =
poor results no matter what.

3) and 4) - I would rate 4) DXing ability slightly ahead of 3) antenna. I
used to know a young DXer who got the most amazing results just because of
his innate DXing ability. Now we have my mate Gary Deacon who also gets the
most amazing results at Miller's Point with only 40m/130ft of wire strung
out. Admittedly though, a short but well placed antenna can do wonders at a
good DX site.
I also have achieved amazing DX results with antenna's as short as 100 foot
strung out well at holiday locations

5) receiver - I agree with this totally. The fellow I mentioned above used
to DX with a Lowe HF150, a really modest RX, but he used to run rings around
many of us with much more fancy gear.

Then one year I will never forget in the Danish DX club annual competition -
a fella with a Yaesu FRG-7700 won hands down. This is a really mediocre
RX..!!

And now we have my friend Gary Deacon DXing away with his FROG, the
venerable analogue Yaesu FRG-7. Now I owned a FROG for a year on account of
its legendary MW DX capabilities, but personally wrote it off as near
useless due to its wide open 1000 Khz roofing filter and wide not very good
filters. Yet Gary consistently produces top line results of world class
quality on his FROG, proving the point that DXing ability is far more
important than a decent RX. A sobering thought for those of us touting the
top line RX's we own.

I asked Gary recently why he uses the old FROG and doesn't upgrade to a
decent modern digital RX. He answered by giving a pleasurable sigh and said
it was "steam radio"...!!! He has a Drake R7 by the way, an outstanding DX
machine in my opinion, but he prefers his FROG and does exceptionally well
with it...!!??

--
John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa
South 33 d 47 m 32 s, East 20 d 07 m 32 s
RX Icom IC-756 PRO III with MW mods
Drake SW8 & ERGO software
Sony 7600D GE SRIII
BW XCR 30, Braun T1000, Sangean 818 & 803A.
GE circa 50's radiogram
Antenna's RF Systems DX 1 Pro, Datong AD-270
Kiwa MW Loop
http://www.dxing.info/about/dxers/plimmer.dx

I would put dxing ability, i.e. knowlege of the bands, ones equipment,
broadcasting schedules, etc., etc., at the top of the list.

John S. wrote:

I would put dxing ability, i.e. knowlege of the bands, ones equipment,
broadcasting schedules, etc., etc., at the top of the list.

I don't see how this is an 'ability'. No one was born with this gift.
The beauty of being able to pass on information via printed or spoken
means is the real gift.

The discoveries of others may be easily passed on, saving countless
hours of needless rediscovery every time information is needed.

The ability to find and USE published schedules and propagation reports
is the real requirement as opposed to an innate 'skill'. Merely turning
a radio dial, contrary to what a self proclaimed expert says, isn't
anywhere near as demanding as, say, tying your shoe laces.

...but then, he has a tough time doing even that. Not enough time in
between insults..




mike

What?

m II wrote:
John S. wrote:


I don't see how this is an 'ability'. No one was born with this gift.


Why assume that all 'abilities' are innate?

m II wrote:
John S. wrote:

I would put dxing ability, i.e. knowlege of the bands, ones equipment,
broadcasting schedules, etc., etc., at the top of the list.

I don't see how this is an 'ability'. No one was born with this gift.
The beauty of being able to pass on information via printed or spoken
means is the real gift.

Don't read too much into text. Ability to perform a complex task such
as dxing can and is usually gained by experience as well as trial and
error. For those of us willing to put in the time and learn from both
mistakes and successes the ability to dx is honed over time.



The discoveries of others may be easily passed on, saving countless
hours of needless rediscovery every time information is needed.

The ability to find and USE published schedules and propagation reports
is the real requirement as opposed to an innate 'skill'. Merely turning
a radio dial, contrary to what a self proclaimed expert says, isn't
anywhere near as demanding as, say, tying your shoe laces.

The ability to research is not a gift that one is borne with, but one
that is developed over time.


..but then, he has a tough time doing even that. Not enough time in
between insults..


I'm completely lost here...what insults are you talking about.....





mike

wrote:

What?

The 'tard boys meds haven't kicked in yet.

dxAce
Michigan
USA

A Ham Radio Operator whom I know via emailing back and forth with once
in a while,(he is over 84 years old) and he uses a Yaesu radio.I say
Antenna is the most important thing.Kind of funny we don't hear much
from folks in this news group whom use Yaesu Radios.
cuhulin

m II wrote:

John S. wrote:

I would put dxing ability, i.e. knowlege of the bands, ones equipment,
broadcasting schedules, etc., etc., at the top of the list.

I don't see how this is an 'ability'. No one was born with this gift.
The beauty of being able to pass on information via printed or spoken
means is the real gift.

Ya gots to hear 'em before you can pass anything on, 'tard boy.

You'd better get busy.

dxAce
Michigan
USA

http://www.iserv.net/~n8kdv/dxpage.htm

In article RayZe.269651$HI.127114@edtnps84, says...
wrote:

The people who made the HF-150
understood that there's more to a good receiver than a big pricetag, a
plastic case, and lots and lots of "features".


Wow..that would make my bought used Realistic dxAce-160 a winner! Thank
you for the reaffirmation of my obviously well honed shopping sense.



mike



LOL, comparing a DX160 to an HF150 is like comparing a 1970's pinto( the
160) to a 1990's Honda Civic. You have to at least a certain level of
performance, and the 160..doesn't.


BDK

From: BDK
Organization: Dicks, INC.
Newsgroups: rec.radio.shortwave
Date: Sun, 25 Sep 2005 19:35:17 -0400
Subject: Five most important things for top DX

In article RayZe.269651$HI.127114@edtnps84, says...
wrote:

The people who made the HF-150
understood that there's more to a good receiver than a big pricetag, a
plastic case, and lots and lots of "features".


Wow..that would make my bought used Realistic dxAce-160 a winner! Thank
you for the reaffirmation of my obviously well honed shopping sense.



mike



LOL, comparing a DX160 to an HF150 is like comparing a 1970's pinto( the
160) to a 1990's Honda Civic. You have to at least a certain level of
performance, and the 160..doesn't.


BDK
Then why is the receiver at the bottom of the list? And where's the
popcorn? It's not even ON the list!

Greg

Well...
I happened to have HAD a 1972 pinto when it was new. It had headers and a 4
barrel carb. It would eat 914's and 240 z's for lunch. Of course it's no
match for my 300ZX but was a decent performer. for it's time...



"BDK" wrote in message
...
In article RayZe.269651$HI.127114@edtnps84, says...
wrote:

The people who made the HF-150
understood that there's more to a good receiver than a big pricetag, a
plastic case, and lots and lots of "features".


Wow..that would make my bought used Realistic dxAce-160 a winner! Thank
you for the reaffirmation of my obviously well honed shopping sense.



mike



LOL, comparing a DX160 to an HF150 is like comparing a 1970's pinto( the
160) to a 1990's Honda Civic. You have to at least a certain level of
performance, and the 160..doesn't.


BDK

Jim Hackett wrote:

Well...
I happened to have HAD a 1972 pinto when it was new. It had headers and a 4
barrel carb.


....**MINE** had dual gas tanks...





mike

John S. wrote:

...some very valid points..


I'm completely lost here...what insults are you talking about.....


Please see post following yours. The guy can't stop himself.





mike

Five most important things for top DX
 

Michael Lawson wrote:

"Michael A. Terrell" wrote in message
...
Jim Hackett wrote:

Was that in case the first one blew up? LOL


No, it just doubled your chance of an explosion.

Heh. My grandmother used to drive a Pinto
wagon. I remember feeling very uncomfortable
in that car once the gas tank explosion reports
started to surface.

--Mike L.

Do you remember which comic it was who told a joke that the US Army
was going to replace its battle tanks with used Pintos, and back them
into battle?

--
?

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

Five most important things for top DX
 

One time I was driving down the freeway (in my Pinto) at rush hour not
really paying attention. I looked ahead and realized everyone was stopped.
I hit the brakes HARD then as an afterthought, looked in my mirror. The guy
behind me was not paying attention either and hadn't started braking yet. As
I came up to the guy in front of me, I started to panic about the guy behind
me and pulled into the center dirt area. Sure enough, the guy behind me
skidded right into the car that was in FRONT of me and shoved him into the
car ahead of him! I have often wondered if I would have been another Pinto
statistic had I not gotten out of the way...



"Michael Lawson" wrote in message
...

"Michael A. Terrell" wrote in message
...
Jim Hackett wrote:

Was that in case the first one blew up? LOL


No, it just doubled your chance of an explosion.

Heh. My grandmother used to drive a Pinto
wagon. I remember feeling very uncomfortable
in that car once the gas tank explosion reports
started to surface.

--Mike L.

Five most important things for top DX
 

That was fast thinking,skidding that Pinto over to the dirt.I once saw a
woman,she so uglyyyyy,she made a Freightrain take a dirt road.Speaking
of that,Emperor of the North movie is on tv in a few days.I put it in my
webtv reminder thingy and I also put it in my DirecTV thingy so whatever
other movie is on tv,I won't miss it.
cuhulin

Five most important things for top DX
 

Speaking
of that,Emperor of the North movie is on tv in a few days.

A great train movie - filmed partly in Cottage Grove, Oregon, the site
of filming of my own personal favorite movie, Buster Keaton's
magnificent ode to Civil War railroading and youthful heroics, "The
General." I wouldn't mind living there - a nice little community.

BTW, I *love* steam trains. Of all Man's creation's, these iron
dragons have the greatest souls.

Bruce Jensen