[NJARC] DX Contest Warm-Up

[Al Klase]

The NJARC DX Contest starts two weeks from tomorrow. We invite all
members to participate.

See: http://www.njarc.ar88.net/contest.html

Now is a good time to choose you weapon, and do some test listening. (In
the Signal Corps, they taught us about the Seven P’s: Proper Prior
Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance.) Unless the calibration on your
set is unusually accurate, it’s a good idea to log where stations
actually appear on the dial. The easy way to do this is to listen on two
radios one of which has a digital display, and log the results for the
contest set. Remember, you are not allowed to do this during the
contest. See the “SESSIONS” section of the rules. Doing a “band scan”
will also allow you to determine how well you hear.

While you probably need a out-door wire antenna for a not so sensitive
radio, most superhets will work really well with a tuned loop. Such an
antenna can be easily constructed from a variable capacitor and antenna
rod scrounged from a table radio. Wind a 2-3 turn link around the center
of the rod, and connect it to your set via twisted pair wire.

Radios that already have a loop will benefit from being placed on a
“lazy susan” to allow easy rotation. With a loop you can do things like
nulling out WSB on 750 to hear Caracas.

You’ll probably need to survey your house to find a quiet place with
good reception. Walk around with a transistor radio at night. You’ll be
surprised what makes noise. Try an upstairs room, preferably in the
south-west corner of the building.

There is one rule change for this year. You may only claim one Cuban
“Radio Reloj” station. So, just copy the one under WMCA on 570 and relax.

Here’s a list of Target stations based on previous winning logs: 
http://www.njarc.ar88.net/DX%20List2.pdf

Regards,
Al



-- 
Al Klase - N3FRQ
Flemington, NJ
http://www.skywaves.ar88.net/