[WVDXA] Chasing DX Mobile

[Charlie Young]

I must be a glutton for punishment trying to seriously chase CW DX from the mobile.  No luck with YK9G, although he did have enough signal on 10 Mhz earlier this evening for me to copy on my TS480 (100W) and Tarheel screwdriver. 
 
I knew it was futile today,  but I tried calling for about 30 minutes anyway. They were very weak and the pileup was very big.  Through experience, I have learned that if a DX station is a good S-5 to S-7 on the Tarheel and is a good operator, the mobile has a reasonably good chance of being heard through a moderately large pileup, with persistant calling. Don't expect to get through on the first few calls.  If the DX station is stronger than S-7, and is a good operator, it is much easier to work. There are times under the right conditions when it is possible to bust a pileup on one or two calls. My technique is to call the DX like I am operating with a KW and yagi. My attitude is: I expect to work the DX.  This same approach works just as well for those who don't have big antenna farms and powerhouse amplifiers, or don't have good DX locations.  Attitude and technique are everything. I perhaps enjoy chasing DX on CW from the mobile as much or more than any aspect of the hobby. It certainly was a new challenge when I got my first HF mobile installed in Sept 06.  Can't wait for sunspots! 
 
It is possible to work very weak DX stations from the mobile, but this usually occurs only if you are lucky and get a clear shot to call them.  Sometimes a weak station will hear you, but most times not.  About 3 weeks ago, I worked a 5R8 on 20 CW who was at the margin of my copy. It was a shock when he answered me.  One of my more memorable Q's was on 20M CW while driving from Cleveland down to Charleston, with VR2BG.  He was at the margin of my copy, and I can only imagine my puny /m signal there. He was having trouble getting my call correct. I give him credit. He is a great op, and would not quit until he got my call. This took a good 15 minutes, at least. I still don't know how we managed that QSO. 
 
So, everyone out there who is running a wire antenna in a tree, take heart! Running 100W, you likely will be much louder than me.  Not sure how many, if any, on WVDXA are running antennas like this. I know some of you have some serious hardware.  I am putting up some serious hardware also, but this /m dx chasing  or operating with a shoestring antenna is fun, and it builds character.  You really appreciate that KW and yagi a lot more after you get stomped on by all the big home stations, even those running barefoot.  
 
Tonight was not a total loss, I did manage to work OX3XR on 40 and R1FJL on 10 Mhz, plus a handful of EU.  Not new ones, but a bite of the DX pie to sustain me. 
 
73, Charlie N8RR     
 
 
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