[Elecraft] Calling CQ on PSK-31

[Eric Fitzgerald]

On May 11, 2010, at 9:26 AM, Wes Stewart wrote:

> That said, although I know PSK has a reputation for being a mode where you don't need higher power or good antennas...

That very well might be the reputation but I would take exception to that notion.  Antennae systems *always* matter - especially on the digital modes.

Regarding the original poster's question, I am on the digital modes a lot – almost every day.  Finding stations to answer my CQ is highly variable.  Los Angeles County in California isn't exactly rare DX.  :-)   A strong, sharp, clean trace in the 'fall will attract more responses.  An overdriven trace will be shunned but mostly I find it is a matter of patience and looking on the right band at the right time.  Julian, G4ILO's excellent suggestion to incorporate http://psk.gladstonefamily.net/pskmap.html to find out where people are listening and when will go a long way in helping you discover places and times you might be heard.  The cool thing about PSK Reporter is that it is a tireless listener.  It will log stations for you will you work, sleep or are otherwise engaged.  The other day I noticed on PSK Reporter that central Eurasia was coming in at around 11pm local on 20m the last few nights.  I called CQ and got 16 consecutive responses from European Russia, Asiatic Russia, Kazakhstan, Moldova and the Ukraine!  A little mini pile-up. I felt like a big gun or a rare DXpedition.

All this with 35 watts and a doublet.

Additionally don't just sit on one frequency calling CQ.  If one isn't working it may be that there is another, louder local station that you can't hear at all covering you up.  Move, call QRL and try again.

Another country heard from.

73 de Eric, KG6MZS