[ADXA] The Cost of Being a DX'er

[w5zn at w5zn.org]

What does it cost to be a DX'er?

$100? $1,000? $10,000? $100,000?

Actually, all of the above are true because I'm not asking in monetary
terms. Whatever the level of investment in your station, you have the
ability to work DX and add to your totals.  The real cost is in
sacrifice.....what are you willing to commit to in order to reach your
next level in DX'ing? 

Are you willing to sacrifice an evening on the couch or your recliner,
complaining about what's on TV or the news, in order to read a technical
article and implement that in your station? 

Are you willing to stay up late in order to be on the air for EU or AF
sunrise (SR)? Are you willing to sacrifice that nice comfortable bed in
order to get up at 4:00 AM to be able to catch SR in the USA while it is
sunset (SS) in Asia? Are you willing to sacrifice some "quite time" in
order to listen to noise on a dead band waiting for that brief, maybe
only 15 second opening, to a DX station you need? 

The Beatles had a hit song released in 1964 titled "Can't Buy Me Love".
I use that line at times in my presentations to make the point that no
matter how much money you spend on your station it won't bring you the
love of DX....only making the personal sacrifice to learn about
propagation, tweaking your station's performance and operating it
effectively to get that rare one you need in your log will do that. That
is why we all feel an extreme pride of accomplishment, do a "happy
dance" or walk outside and scream to the heavens "WOO HOO!!!!!" when we
do, regardless of what you have spent on your station. 

The large number of posts and comments on our reflector during VP6D was
extremely pleasing! The level of excitement is great and so far this is
shaping up to be a very productive winter DX season, even at the bottom
of the sunspot cycle! Did we forget the bands are supposed to be dead?
Just goes to prove the bands are in better shape than we have been
programmed to believe. You never know if a band is open if everyone is
"listening" or waiting for someone else to spot on the DX cluster. 

So, the quest continues. What is your next DXCC goal? Make the personal
sacrifice to lay out your plan then implement it.....I know you need
something, GET ON THE AIR AND WORK IT!!!!!!! 

73 Joel W5ZN
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