[ADXA] Sage Advice from Rick/W0RT

[Ron | K5XK]

One of our ‘4-States’ Area (AR/OK/KS/MO) DXer friends is Rick, WØRT, in
nearby SE KS.  

I thought many of you would identify with WØRT’s response to a younger DXer
who was impressed


73, Ron/K5XK

*********************

"Richard Tucker, W0RT" <rickt at wavewls.com>: 

Greg,
 
Thanks for the kind words. I was licensed in 1963 when 10 and 15M were very
hot. I had a homebrew 807 transmitter (crystal controlled) , a general
coverage receiver (NC-98) and a low wire. I was able to work several DX
stations and I guess I was hooked on DXing. However I have always considered
myself a casual DXer. I have also enjoyed cw ragchewing, traffic handling,
vhf weak signal work and contesting.
 
Concerning DX, I achieved No 1 honor roll (worked ‘em all—mixed phone and
cw)) about 10 years ago
 In spite of college, Navy service during Viet Nam
era, law school, maintaining a busy law practice for 46 years, serving on
many boards, being a scout master, school board member, etc and most of all
putting family, God and my church first I have achieved this by doing the
following:
 
-Put up the best antenna you can afford and manage
 
-Keep your station operable at all times (like Lord Baden Powell said—“Be
Prepared”)
 
-Listen, listen, listen
 
-Subscribe to one or more DX bulletins 
 
-Pay attention
 
-Learn pile up courtesy and techniques
 
-Learn the art of QSLing
 
-I will admit sleep was secondary in my younger years. 
 
Since I don’t have any more “new ones” to chase, during the past 10 years I
have focused on the DXCC CW award and my totals. I have had a ball ferreting
out the rare ones during these marginal conditions. I currently stand at 329
current countries confirmed with a card from 9V1YC (Singapore) in the works
which will make 330. You need 331 to make the honor roll. 4 of the 10
remaining are workable and have been on the air in the past year or so. I
doubt I will live long enough to get No 1 Honor Roll on CW mainly because of
P5 (N. Korea) I was fortunate to get it on SSB several years ago when the
guy went there. I am having a ball.
 
Greg, you have an impressive total at 310. Not many hams can claim that
tremendous achievement. Press on!! I remember, I didn’t think I would ever
got to 300. Once I did, it seemed like the journey to Honor Roll went
quicker. Of course I was younger then and conditions were better.
 
Ham radio and especially DXing has been a major part of my life since age
16. It has been more than a hobby for me (as I’m sure it has been for many
others)
 
As Hugh Cassidy, WA6AUD, of West Coast DX Bulletin fame used to say—DX IS!!
And “It’s only rare if you need it.”
 
73/DX,
 
Rick Tucker, WØRT, Parsons KS