DX: Here We Come

Welcome to another month end. Things are happening, and seem to be moving fast in certain ham radio areas. Let us keep the momentum, continue hardening the foundation, so that our energy fail not. Always remember that there are negative elements working overtime against us, but we on the right side of history, helping our brothers and sisters, all over the planet, in times of their greatest need. That is the serious nature of our commitment to amateur radio. In peace times, like now, we prepare for the Atlantic Hurricane Season, starting up in less than 100 days time. I suspect that V4 will be better off this season as I heard through the grapevines that many more ham radio operators have acquired an HF radio. Everyone already has a VHF radio or two, the 2-meter net is active, so we are good to go.

But while we wait for the season to change let us enjoy today to the max. For some of us that is making contact with ham radio operators on the far side of our Earth. In my case the focus is on Japan. I have contacted Japan many times, but not on all ham radio bands. Japan has the most ham radio operators in the world, and most of them have never contacted V4, nor even heard a V4. Let us come out to make their day. I suspect that if a V4 ham radio operator can work into Japan consistently, they can also work into any area of the world. I believe that the secret is not radio equipment, but antenna, and strategy.

I have a plan to prove that using an entry level radio like the Icom IC- 718, and a very decent antenna and with a strategy, anyone can work the world. I am using a Flex 1500 and that can also "make the trip" too, not because it is QRP. All radio transceivers  of today are great, some are a little better under real QRM. 100 watts is considered the standard transmitting power, but one could get away with far less. I am of the view that the station antenna is the secret to successful DX contacts. And some simple antennas at that. If a ham can afford it, invest in the tower, and antenna system of your choice. But most hams are regular and thrifty, and would prefer to use locally available materials to build the antenna systems that are required.

I am a vertical antenna person, because no simple horizontal antenna can produce the low  vertical antenna take off angle needed for DX operations. To get lower take off angles you have to stack antennas, and that is more cost. The best simple horizontal antenna is a horizontal dipole 50 feet high. Not a sloping dipole. Therefore, an investment in a rotating dipole is not that bad if affordable. My research indicates that the cheaper rotating dipole models are a waste of money, but do your research and choose wisely. If you are serious about DX I suspect that a vertical antenna will be your best choice.

The frequency of DX operating determines the antenna. On 15 meters my HyGain 155CA, a 5 element wide spaced beam on a 26 foot boom is unbeatable with 100 watts. That antenna can work the world even at 20 feet high. I have proven that. My usual test is Japan. For 20, 17, 15, 10, 6, and 2 meters a good beam antenna is essential, with the most elements that you can afford. If you are serious, make the investment. If the 40 meter 2 element beam suits your pocket, go for it too. The Antenna will cost you less than your HF radio. Make the investment in a good quality headset and microphone. These are one time investments. There are some operators who like to have the latest ham radio gear, and update ever so often. Most hams don’t update for ten [10] years or more. My TS-940SAT station was with me for over 20 years. 

DX on 40, 80 and 160 meters no longer separate the ham radio buddies. Get familiar with vertical antenna theory to appreciate and build your DX vertical antenna system. Plan the antenna location and manage your space. Everyone may not be blessed with space for 40 or 80 meter phased verticals and radials. I always use elevated radials because 8 elevated radials are as good as 132 radials in the ground. The elevated radials can also go up in the air, like to 20 feet up on a pipe. I think they work better too. Check the handbook.  I suspect that all serious ham radio operators and DX antenna builders have invested in a real antenna analyzer. My antenna analyzer is the Rig Experts AA-35 Zoom, which is just fantastic. It brings back joy to antenna tuning, and to amateur radio.

I must add that all vertical antenna elements are either a quarter wave long, a half wave long or 5/8 wavelength long.  The short multiband trap antenna does not compute for working my kind of DX. These multiband trapped antennas work after a fashion. The focus is on getting the lowest take off angle, and maximum signal for every transmitted watt poked into the antenna. Realizing maximum bandwidth is also most helpful. 

In these small islands we can still work DX if we think outside the box, and apply our antenna theory to lengths of wire, pipes or scaffold tubes, and lumber.  Our focus in this time is working DX and I believe that we can do that with what we have. There are many things that all hams living here wish for, like real amateur radio coax cable, RG-213, RG8X for some, real antenna wire, #14, #12 for some, coax plugs, PL259, N type plugs for some, SO239 sockets, N type sockets for some, assorted connectors, SPDT and DPDT coax relays to switch antennas and antenna systems, fiberglass masts, and above all, aluminum tubing in all sizes and lengths for the antenna elements.

Many of us are complaining while we have pieces of various antennas in our yard.  Let us be thrifty and creative, and see what we can manufacture from what we have. Share notes and ideas you may have with other ham radio operators,  working together we came make something happen in our DX zone.  Let us make an effort to always think outside the box and make DX happen for V4. Nothing is impossible in our St Kitts and Nevis.