[ADXA] Ready for DX

[w5znjoel at gmail.com]

Dennis, W5DM, reminded me we also have VP8 South Shetland Island coming on
by LZ0A for a casual DX operation over the next couple months. It is #132 on
our need list but a good group of our newer members need it, so be ready and
KEEP WATCH for spots from this one.

 

On a side note, thinking of the VP8 islands, I remember several years ago,
back in the 1970's, the Arkansas Democrat newspaper ran a Sunday profile
article on Dick Freeling, W5TIZ, one of our founding members. It centered
around his professional career in Little Rock and his history, how he lost
his eye sight from a sniper bullet in WWII, but it also detailed some of his
amateur radio DX activity, noting that he only needed VP8 South Sandwich
Island to have "worked them all". This was before there was such a thing as
"#1 Honor Roll".  I remember when Dickie finally worked South Sandwich, it
was a big deal then just as it is today when you "get 'em all".

 

73 Joel W5ZN / ZF2ZN

 

From: w5znjoel at gmail.com <w5znjoel at gmail.com> 
Sent: Friday, December 26, 2025 7:22 AM
To: 'adxa' <adxa at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Ready for DX

 

Greetings ADXA Folks,

 

I trust everyone had a pleasant and merry Christmas. 

 

I'm quite confident you ADXA folks are tired of hearing me ask if you're
ready, and telling you to get ready, for upcoming DX. Regardless, if you're
in the BIG DOG game of DX it is a very valid question and relevant topic.
Remember "You can't run with the BIG DOGS if you pee like a puppy!"

 

We had quite a bit of DX activity back in late September and October but
things went flat the past several weeks however, if you look at the next two
months there will be three top 35 most needed by ADXA members coming on the
air; VU7, KP5, and 3Y. 

 

Don't have a Yagi or your Yagi is broken or on the ground? Throw up a
dipole!! Don't have a tall tower? Look at what Lanny works without one. We
sometimes forget, or don't know, how to be a good and efficient operator in
a DX pileup falling prey to the thought you can't be successful unless you
have a great big tower and beam. I worked over 315 countries on 30, 17, and
12 meters with dipoles before I ever had a Yagi on those bands. K5UR's 80
and 40 meter antennas are simple wire antennas! Don't believe you can work
DX with simple wire antennas? OK, just go ahead and keep believing that
myth. Operator skill still plays significantly into success and some of that
skill has been lost in the world of FT8 - I'm sure that statement is
offensive to some of you but it's a fact and you still need good operating
skill to be successful on FT8! Operator skill involves MUCH more than
clicking a button on a computer screen with your mouse.

 

With the major DXpeditions forthcoming, are you ready? You should be but if
not, what are you doing to get ready?? If you have outstanding items on your
to-do list work them down now. We want to see these three "Top 35 ADXA Most
Needed" drop down the list significantly.

 

Get ready and GET IN THERE!!!

 

73 Joel W5ZN

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