DXing Tips
Make the most of your time on the air!

If you are new to DXing and HF communications, it might seem a fairly daunting undertaking, but it really isn't. After a few contacts, you will be quite comfortable having QSOs with people all over the world. But there is quite a bit to learn if you are going to get the most out or your on-the-air DX activities. Here are some tools, tips and tactics that can make your air time more fun!

DX Packet Cluster is an exciting facet of Amateur Radio that allows you to take advantage of a vast "spotting" network to help locate rare and interesting DX stations on the bands. Before DX Packet Cluster, the only way to locate stations was to spend considerable time tuning across the bands. While some people still prefer the traditional method (me included), with so little free time these days, Packet Cluster really helps us to get maximum DX success with minimum time committment. You can even program your software to announce countries that are new ones for you!

You can connect to our local packet cluster (which is hosted by KØGND and the LARC) by tuning your packet radio to 147.510 and typing "c k0gnd" into your packet program. This local "node" is connected to other nodes across the midwest, so you will only see spots from stations in our area, increasing the likelyhood that you will be able to hear and work the DX station.

DX Cluster Window courtesy of DXSCAPE

DX Packet Cluster is also available via the Internet. Several sites allow you to see spots from all over the world, or filtered to include spots from specific parts of the world. One of the best Internet Cluster sites is provided by DXSCAPE. The window above shows the last 50 spots from all bands as they are posted by Hams connected to nodes all over the United States. This window will update about every minute, so these are essentially real-time spots. Tune the bands to see if you can hear any of these stations. They're on the air right now!
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Greg KTØK
LARC On-the-Air Activities Committee