If I choose, I am DX every time I sign on the air, either via boredom with no other DX on (at all) or if someone is yet to work Thailand on some band/mode. And, I live here, so I am always DX, not just when on a DXpedition.
I have experimented with every calling/answering practice--by geography (EU or NA or whatever), by prefix (which is almost "by country"), and by numbers either taking 5 ones and then 5 twos, etc or asking for only one zero and then one one and then one two and so on. I also have simply answered whoever I could hear. I have used split, used simplex, and used spread split ("up 5 to 10"). I have done this for 10 years from Thailand. So, given many thousands of contacts and umpteen hours on the air during this time, I have a conclusion that works best, and will work best OVERALL for DXpeditions. It will even work for a group of 99XY1AA folks who go somewhere remote but only work other 99XY1/0 stations. The method is simply to work one zero, then one one, then one two, then one three, and so on through around to zero and repeat this pattern. Every time you reach zero, sign your call sign and every ten times, give ur QSL or other info. Announce 10 minutes prior to changing band/mode that you are going to specific band/mode in ten minutes--then do that. Do not take exceptions; do not vary this practice. After a few rounds of this kind of calling, ops get the idea and seldom violate the rule. THE MOST IMPORTANT ADVANTAGE OF THIS SYSTEM IS that any and all ops who can hear the DX know for sure that every ten calls, they will have a chance to call. Even the least patient can stand to wait nine calls to try again. The idea is to reduce frustration, create a dependable routine, and not to vary. There is no discrimination against any geographical area nor any prefix (altho those with 2 numerials do get two calls each round, a minor problem with so few such allocations). However, for those who can not copy 30 WPM and up, it will be difficult to catch the pattern and this remains a partial problem but only on CW...RTTY and phone can make all this clear very easily and efficiently. Finally, this method actually makes finding calls in a paper log easier because they are all sequential. I have already heard all the objections to my proposed method, so save ur breath. However, if one believes in some kind of application of the scientific method to a problem, take heart that I have done that, done that, done that. Give it a try, 73 Charles Harpole, HS0ZCW -- Charly, HS0ZCW ----------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe or subscribe to this list. Please send a message to imail...@njdxa.org In the message body put either unsubscribe dx-news or subscribe dx-news This is the DX-NEWS reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org -----------------------------------------------------------