[OKDXA] VP6DX

[Kim Elmore]

I decided to give VP6DX a shot today, on a whim. What with the ARRL 
CW DX contest going, the competition was somewhat spread out. Using 
the cluster (yes, alas, I resorted to *that*). I got them on 20, 17, 
15, and 10.  About the only band where I was sending and praying was 
10 m, as I couldn't hear anyone that they worked. On the rest, I 
could find their last QSO and got the Q in, at most, three tries. 
But, again, the competition was pretty thin.

So, I'm going over some stuff as I sit here and I see a spot come 
across for them on 40 m (I'd been looking for them CW on 30m).  I 
tune there and, sure enough, there they are working a 25 kHz split.

I listen to the pile a bit (a howling mess) and decided to flip on 
the amp (an AL-80A with a beefed up B+ and reworked output tank, but 
no fire-breathing monster). I turned the beam towards them and they 
had a good, clean signal.  I then spent about 5 min listening to the 
pile and finding their rhythm. I then zeroed in on the guy they 
working, tuned up about 200 Hz, and dropped my call twice after they 
had finished the Q. Worked 'em in one try.

Mind you, I was lucky and I'm well aware that most of the new has 
worn off of their DXpedition. They've been worked by most of the guys 
who just had to have 'em Right Away. But, it still felt good to do it 
pretty much the right way (as per W9KNI; I first read his book in 
about 20 years ago) and have it work so nicely.

Kim Elmore, N5OP