[Elecraft] OT--TX5P

[Vic Rosenthal]

I haven't been able to hear TX5P yet, but I have a theory about a lot of the bad behavior in CW DX pileups. There are operators who do not copy CW, but can (sometimes) recognize their own call, or maybe have some kind of CW decoder. Their technique is to call whenever the DX is not transmitting, and wait for their call to appear.

Vic 4X6GP/K2VCO 

> On Apr 27, 2015, at 4:55 AM, dyarnes <w7aqk at cox.net> wrote:
> 
> 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
> 
> 
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