[ADXA] DQRM

[w5zn at w5zn.org]

ADXA Folks,

I changed the "Subject" line but kept some of Nick's comments about 
DQRM. Obviously this is again a major topic of discussion given the 
recent 3Y0J Bouvet op. It has occurred on FT8WW but not to the extent it 
did on 3Y, for whatever reason.

I seem to recall that one or two of the major DXpeditions in recent 
years (before COVID) employed a mechanism to detect DQRM and would do 
exactly what Nick mentions - move their TX frequency up or down about a 
100 Hz to clear the DQRM. I don't know what the mechanism was, it could 
have been something as simple as the DXpedition being in "live" contact 
with their pilots and the pilots providing feedback to them that DQRM 
was occurring.

Regardless, as I noted DQRM is a hot topic now. The IARU has received 
numerous complaints and pleas for help as I'm sure ARRL and other 
national amateur radio societies have as well. Its not an easy problem 
to solve. The regulatory authority in each country has no interest in 
addressing the matter and to be honest it occurs mostly during a major 
DXpedition, so it is a DX related problem. I have heard a couple of 
stories where the DQRM was triangulated and the offender was identified 
and confronted and it stopped. That is often difficult to do and in 
today's society a confrontation is potentially dangerous.

However I believe if the DX clubs around the world can raise $1M for a 
DXpedition we can collectively address this issue. I made that point 
this morning during an IARU internal discussion in addressing a 
complaint we had received.

To be clear, DQRM is not new to DXpeditions nor is the issue of someone 
calling on the DXpeditions TX frequency. That's different than DQRM but 
is met with QRM from the frequency cops. If you're not proficient in CW, 
you are most likely very proficient in hearing the letters "UP" and a 
couple more that usually follow. I've heard DQRM for years but that 
doesn't make it right and in no way should we resolve it to be a way of 
current life and acceptable.

Whatever approach the DX community takes in addressing DQRM, if any, we 
should be part of the solution and remember, we're the Arkansas DX 
Association and we set the high standard for operating ethics and do not 
condone this type of bad activity in any way!

73 Joel W5ZN

On 2023-02-20 12:29, Nick Kennedy wrote:

> I also think about this in terms of the DQRMers of DXpeditions. 
> Frequency setting is so accurate these days, it's easy for the DQRMer 
> to get exactly zero beat with the DX, even if he doesn't even hear the 
> DX station! I wonder if it would be beneficial for the DX to meander 
> around a bit, maybe within a +/- 100 Hz band? You couldn't carry this 
> idea too far or legitimate chasers would be thrown off.
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