[Elecraft] OT--TX5P

[dyarnes]

Hi All,

As many of you are probably already aware, there is a "mini" DXpedition 
currently operating as TX5P on Clipperton Island.  The Chief Op (and maybe 
the only op) is Alan, F6BFH.  I say it is a "mini" DXpedition because it is 
apparently a part time thing, the main purpose of the island visit being for 
scientific purposes--and, only one operator that I know of.

What's interesting about this operation, and pertinent to this reflector, is 
the equipment being used.  According to the QRZ.com page, they are using  a 
KX3 and 100 watt amp.  There is also an FT-897 available, which I assume is 
a back-up rig.  While I'm sure there have been other KX3's used for trips to 
DX locations, I wonder if this is the first to an otherwise "popular" 
DXpedition location.

So far I have worked TX5P on 3 bands, 17, 20, and 40 meters.  All of these 
contacts were made rather easily, thanks to the availability of my 2nd RX in 
the K3--the split was "5 to 10 up"!  However, as is too often the case, the 
behavior of the calling stations was appalling--particularly on 20 and 40 
meters.  It was obviously frustrating Alan (I assume it was him), and he was 
constantly having to send a long series of "dits" to get people to stop 
transmitting on top of the station he was trying to recognize.  He even 
commented specifically, several times, about the lack of "discipline"!  Even 
though he, repeatedly, asked others to allow ONLY the station he was calling 
to transmit, a huge number of other stations totally ignored his request. 
Ridiculous!  I am constantly amazed at the rude, inconsiderate behavior of 
some people in these DX situations.  I know I'm "preaching to the choir", 
and that this has gone on forever, but I absolutely don't understand why 
people think what they are doing is productive!  In the time it took Alan to 
identify a station, he probably could have worked a half dozen more!  Just 
over the brief period of time I was listening, I would guess that 40 or 50 
contacts could have been made while only 6 or 7 were actually accomplished. 
By the way, I had a similar experience the other day just trying to work 
K6KPH, which had activated the KPH commercial radio site.  This was not a 
split frequency thing, so it was even worse.  You would think North Korea 
had been activated!  He had all but my last letter, and asked me to repeat. 
Still a couple of dozen other stations jumped in right on top!  I'm not sure 
I heard my report correctly, but I just didn't want to fight it.  Absurd!

Anyway, it will be interesting to see how many subsequent KX3 operations 
occur.  That radio is certainly getting a lot of attention!

Dave W7AQK