Category Archives: DX

The Magic Band comes alive!

Posted on June 13, 2021 by Bob Beatty

When I was a newly upgraded ham in 1971, the only radio I had that would operate voice mode was a Heathkit “Sixer” — a small, 2 watt AM rig.  I had a 6-m dipole antenna taped to the inside … Continue reading →

Posted in 6-Meters, DX, Sporadic-E | Leave a comment

Goal Review 2020

Posted on January 1, 2021 by Bob Beatty

Despite the lingering smell of a burning garbage, 2020 is finally behind us.  Like most of the planet, I found myself wishing the year would just end.  In my case, I’m quite blessed, as my immediate family is healthy and … Continue reading →

Posted in Activation, DX, Goals, POTA, Satellite, WAS | Leave a comment

The year that won’t end

Posted on September 19, 2020 by robert

Pandemic, social unrest, political unrest, unbelievable fires, running out of names for Tropical Storms, even a plague of locusts, and there is still another quarter of 2020 to go!  Nevertheless, I’m very grateful to have Amateur Radio as a hobby … Continue reading →

Posted in 160-Meters, Awards, COVID-19, DX, Education, Goals, Satellite | Leave a comment

DXCC 275 Reached with 160-meter Guyana QSO

Posted on May 24, 2020 by Bob Beatty

A pleasant surprise awaited me today, a LotW confirmation from 8R1/AG6UT in Guyana.  This was confirming a QSO from last November on the 160-meter band, so it was a double bonus, leaving me with 12 more countries to complete my … Continue reading →

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Thank you VP8PJ Team!

Posted on March 7, 2020 by robert

I am always amazed when I think of the logistics and costs of putting on a major DXpedition.  When you couple that with remote and downright dangerous locations, we all owe a debt of gratitude to the teams that put … Continue reading →

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Surprise From VP8PJ – Early LotW Confirmations

Posted on March 1, 2020 by Bob Beatty

I had a nice surprise this morning when I checked LotW; three confirmations from VP8PJ.  Still hoping to work them on some additional bands.

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VP8PJ FT8 Success 18.095 MHz

Posted on February 27, 2020 by Bob Beatty

It took slightly less than 30 minutes to work VP8PJ on FT8 this morning around 9:30 AM local time (14:30 UTC).  There pretty much was a wall of EU stations (understandable), but despite occasional deep fades, eventually I got through … Continue reading →

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Use Propagation Tools but check outside times too!

Posted on February 26, 2020 by Bob Beatty

Just worked VP8PJ on 10.105 MHz at 21:45 UTC.  Propagation chart says very small chance of working them now.  That said, their signal is 3 to 4 S-units above the noise floor.  I worked them with 100 watts on CW. … Continue reading →

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Thank you VP6R Pitcairn Island

Posted on November 10, 2019 by robert

I had a nice surprise today when 6 new band confirmations showed up for VP6R today.  Need 104 more to get my next DXCC Challenge Award endorsement. Missed a clean sweep by failing to get them on 30-meters.  I did … Continue reading →

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Who says HF is dead during the solar minimum?

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Bob Beatty

A friend of mine, Bob W1YRC, has often said that some of his best DX happens during sunspot minimums.  He certainly is right.  While it is true that we lack effective sunspots, so our Solar Flux readings are very low, … Continue reading →

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