[Elecraft] DX real time

[pjhend@ameritech.net]

Thanks to Ron, Tree, Hank, & others for responding to my request for on-line DX
cluster info. It seems there are strong feelings on the subject from people who
use the DX cluster information routinely and those who feel it is somehow
"cheating" to achieve the sought after awards. I thinks it's best to "agree to
disagree agreeably" on this subject as well as many others in this diverse
hobby.  I think there are just as many terrific operators who chase DX with the
help of DX spotting as those who choose to hunt quietly and pounce on the rare
station's first CQ.

My interest in the DX spotting was this: when I saw it for first time the other
week, I was delighted that I could see at a glance the many areas of the world
that had just opened up to my W9 region. Running QRP only recently, I've found
that it is certainly better to jump on the DX as soon as his first or second
call is uttered, rather than spending an hour trying to bust a pileup. Ron,
AC7AC, suggestion of the DX beacons from around the world is also something that
sounds exciting that I had not heard about before. Having been back in the hobby
recently after a 25 year hiatus, I'm finding all sorts of useful information
from this elecraft group, so thanks again to those who responded.

Some who responded did jump to the conclusion that I was looking for the "easy
way out" when I merely was trying to get a handle on all of the resources
available. I have in fact come very close to DXCC with no help from the DX
clusters, but i would not hesitate to use this resource if a nice rare one came
up. I'd be more than happy to have a brief "59" exchange and add a rare contact
to my list and worry about "chewing the rag" with them on another occasion. I
plan to be very active in the days and years ahead, so I think there will plenty
of chances to rag chew down the line. I think a "Good DX Operator" is a "Good DX
Operator" regardless of making use of a DX cluster or just  stumbling upon
(oops....I mean scientifically searching for) a new Entity. :-)

Paul        KB9YVP    K2 #2278