Hi Colin.
How Can I find a local DX cluster, and how do I set up the TS-2000 to use it
if I find one?
Thanks in advance, and 7 3.
----- Original Message -----
From: "colin McDonald" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2010 3:53 PM
Subject: Re: Good DX frequencies?
> lol, rick, your message reminds me a little of american TV drug
> commercials...a quarter about the advertising and marketing of the drug, 3
> quarters about the possible side effects and complications hi.
>
> anyway, I tend to use 20 meters mostly for any dx...that is mostly to due
> with the fact that I usually only have a mono-band antenna set up for 20
> meters.
> 88 countries, and 49 confirmed so far is nothing to sneeze at for only a
> year and ahalf on HF and the settup you have.
> I think I might have 25 countries at best, and none confirmed, and i've
> been
> on hf for 5 years.
> Very well done if I say so myself.
> anyway, for european dx on 20, I usually look between 14.190 and 14.260.
> I don't know precisely why, or if there are some mutual agreed upon dx
> frequencies in there, but I find the europeans tend to stay above 14.200
> and
> below 14.250.
> they don't always, but during contests and when the propigation to the US
> is
> running hot, they tend to stick within that 50K segment of 20M.
> I haven't yet figured out a really good way to set the ts2000 to scan or
> alert you for scan edges...so that you know when your at the bottom and
> top
> of the scan range.
> auto scanning HF is a terribly slow and tedious process...it takes minutes
> to scan through 50K of band...if you find you are turning the vfo too fast
> and missing things, you could set your tune rate to the fine setting so it
> takes more turns to go across the band..or use the tension adjustment and
> stiffen the vfo up a bit so it doesn't turn so easily.
> have you considered tapping into a dx cluster for your area?
> the ts2000 can receive dx cluster information on the sub receiver, and you
> can set it to automatically jump to a frequency that has activity.
> Sometimes the issue though is that local dx cluster transmitters tend to
> have poor filters, so you get dx cluster info for regions well outside
> your
> area.
> at least that is the issue here. There is so much info coming across that
> the radio goes into parixisms and madly flips from one frequency to
> another,
> without hearing a single thing.
> There is a way to set filters I think in the tnc, or something, but I
> never
> went that far.
> anyway, dx cluster info for your region can be very helpful in locating
> where the dx is.
> If your hunting a band, often you'll miss stations if you go past when
> they
> are listening or when other stations are talking to them that you can't
> hear.
> others will chime in with more frequencies i'm sure.
> 73
> Colin, V A6BKX
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Rick" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2010 12:01 PM
> Subject: Good DX frequencies?
>
>
>> Hi list.
>> I like to think of myself as a DX hunter, even though I'm not vary good =
>> at it.
>> I use the hunt and pounce method.
>> I'd rather try to bust a pileup than try to control one.
>> Not that I'd ever cause one. LOL
>> After being on HF for less than a year and a half, I only worked 88 =
>> countries with 49 confirmed.
>> I have frequency ranges programmed into my rig from 80 through 10 =
>> meters, and I pick a band to scan for DX.
>> When I hear a signal I stop and listen for a while.
>> I like this method because if I scan a band using the main tuning knob, =
>> I tend to go to fast and miss things.
>> What I'd like to ask is, what are some good frequencies you have found =
>> to be good for DX on phone?
>> Some times I'm doing something other than radio when I'm in the shack, =
>> and I don't want to scan a band, and have to stop what I'm doing to stop
>> =
>> the rig, back it up and check out a signal.
>> Any suggestions to improve increasing my DX contacts would be greatly =
>> appreciated.
>> Right now my station is a Kenwood TS-2000, a Heathkit SB-220, MFJ manual
>> =
>> tuner, and the antenna is a Cushcraft R7 with the feed point about 8 and
>> =
>> a half feet off the ground.
>> I have the antenna grounded to a chainlink fence that runs almost a =
>> whole city block in a straight line.
>> The fence is broad side to east and west, if that matters.
>> Also I'd like to say, I'm not trying to be rude if I don't reply to =
>> every post.
>> I don't believe it's considerate to cluster up the list with one line =
>> thank you messages.
>> I'm not trying to criticize anybody.
>> Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions, and 7 3 to all.
>>
>> KB3GOS
>>
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