[ADXA] Summer Activity is HOT!!!!!

[Joel Harrison]

Summer activity is HOT!!!!!

Well, maybe not on the bands!

As has been noted here before, DX activity during the summer months seems
to take a back seat to other interests. DXPeditions are rare during the
summer and we usually find ourselves doing things afforded to us by the
warmer weather and longer days, yours truly very much included! Even so,
there is a lot of DX on the air. 40 meters has been very good in the early
morning and evenings or look for unique events like our own Rick, AI5P
operating mobile along the famous Route 66. Turn on your radio and listen
around for some excitement. I guarantee it will more rewarding and provide
more entertainment than a TV show and be much more informative than the
news or the weather forecast that a TV personalities masquerading as a
Meteorologist can never get right!

My summer months are usually consumed with antenna thoughts....planning
for the winter DX season and what I want to improve, study and draft
designs on what to do, acquiring the needed materials and to the extent
practical begin construction. Then in the fall implement the plan. I want
to encourage you to think about your current station and what you would
like to improve. Put that plan together NOW and start implementing it.
Satisfied with your station?? Good deal! So what is your operating
strategy to improve your DXCC totals going forward? Start putting that
plan together NOW!!

Even though our lifestyles tend to migrate to other areas in the summer we
had an absolutely outstanding meeting in Springdale in June. There were 23
members and guests in attendance. It was great to see a lot of old friends
and to enjoy a good spirited discussion about DX'ing, antennas and DX
operating. It was especially gratifying to see a number of long time big
dog DX'ers and past ADXA members in attendance. The northwest Arkansas
group is very important to DX'ing and ADXA and it was great to hold a
meeting there.

Contest University videos - You have heard me mentioned on many occasions
the fine program at Contest University held each year the day before the
Dayton Hamvention. Some of the presentations are available on video,
on-line at contestuniversity.com just click on the "Videos" tab. Several
of this year's presentations are available. Since operating ethics has
been a discussion topic at past meetings and on this reflector I would 
encourage you to watch that presentation. It is included under the title
"Welcome to CTU 2017". This presentation, although aimed toward
contesting, is very applicable to DX'ing as well. I was excited to have
been asked to make the presentation this year.

60 meters - There are several countries active that now have access to the
60 meter band and with the new international allocation it is becoming
more popular. We still have some restrictions in the U.S. however 
activity is very good nonetheless. San K5YY already has around 150 DXCC
countries on the band. 60 meters is not yet acceptable for DXCC credit
although it may be in the not too distant future given the new allocation
and once the FCC decides how to apply it to U.S. regulations. Conditions
will improve moving into fall and winter so now is the time to erect an
antenna if you don't have one. Most of the DX activity is on 5405 MHz with
digital JT65 activity on 5357 MHz. BEFORE YOU START, please review the
authorized frequencies, modes and power levels authorized for U.S. radio
amateurs. Maybe we can coerce San to give a presentation at a future
meeting! (hint hint)

Do you have a presentation of interest to DX'ing? Whether it be technical,
operating or of general DX'ing interest please let us know. We would love
to publish it in our quarterly newsletter and also arrange for a
presentation at an upcoming meeting.

I want to take this opportunity to thank ADXA member and our ARRL Delta
Division Director Dave Norris, K5UZ, for his support of DX'ing and the
integrity of the DXCC program. We are also very fortunate to have very
long time ADXA member, BIG GUN and ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR,
currently at the helm of the ARRL Board. THANKS GUYS!!!!

GL with all of your summer antenna projects you're currently working
on......you do have at least one, don't you???

73 Joel W5ZN