DX ahoy!

Originally posted on 'The wet string chronicles' in April 2010.

I like chasing DX and I’m always interested to see what DXpeditions are planned for the months ahead. A good resource for this information is provided by Bill Feidt, NG3K, on his website. The ‘Announced DX Operations’ page lists most of the scheduled DXpeditions.

I regularly scan the listed operations to see if there are any scheduled to DXCC entities I need. There usually are! I then break this down into those I ‘expect’ to be able to work and those I don’t expect to be able to work, based on my setup and my experience of relative strength (or absence of) signals heard from those parts of the world.

I then also consider which modes the respective operations prefer because I know I’m unlikely to work many on SSB, due in large part to my operating mostly at night when the rest of the house is asleep, but also due to my relatively poor signal. I find that CW really is my best option most of the time!

Armed with this information I will then look out for those callsigns on DX spotting clusters and also listen for those stations on the bands. By this means I can usually work a few new ones that I might otherwise not have.

For instance, as it stands today, I hope to be able to work the following listed operations (in what would be new DXCC entities for me).

• 5Z4/LA9PF - Kenya
• 8Q7NA + 8Q7IA - Maldives
• FR/F5UOW + FR/F4EGZ - Reunion
• 3B8MM - Mauritius
• TT8PK - Chad
• E4X - Palestine
• VK9CLH - Lord Howe Island

There are many more but as I said previously, I’m mindful of which of all those listed I might actually hear. I’ll usually listen for those I see spotted but I’m more often than not, not at all surprised when I can’t hear them on my antenna!

I’ll be happy to snag any 5 of the 7 entities listed and, things being what they are, hopefully a few not listed. Good DX! 

A brief foray onto 40m - FT8 and a mobile whip antenna

Mindful of the impending CQ World Wide DX competitions, and particularly the CW contest in late November, I wanted to deploy an antenna for the CW portion of the 40m band, to which end I purchased a humble mobile whip (I have severe antenna restrictions at my current QTH) and set about tuning it for the low end of 40m. At the same time I thought it would be a good idea to see what daytime FT8 activity there was on this band having only previously used this mode on the higher HF bands (20m thru 10m).

FT8 activity on 40m 2024-10-20

Using my Xiegu G90 and the mobile whip antenna I was pleased to see just how much activity there was on 40m. Granted it was pretty much all local to me but I did see several signals from north American stations, although I was unable to work any of these DX stations. 

I did however work plenty of the closer-in stations over a brief period of operation and was pleased to receive some decent signal reports for my 12w output.

40m spots 2024-10-20 

I also checked on PSKReporter to see where I'd been spotted and this confirmed my operating experience - lots of fairly local spots with a few outliers into eastern Europe, the Baltic states and Scandinavia.

All things considered I was pleased to see that the mobile whip antenna did allow me to get out on 40m and I will look forward to seeing what DX I might be able to work during the CW contest in November. 

I fully recognise that this is a compromise antenna but in my circumstances it's about the best I can do and I will enjoy being able to work some late night CW on 40m with it.

Why you don't need a band scope (a contrarian view)

In recent years, amateur radio manufacturers have been including band scopes in their transceivers. While these flashy displays might catch your eye, they're far from essential. Here are 5 reasons why I believe you can confidently forego the band scope and focus on what really matters in amateur radio.

1. Back to basics: Ears over eyes

Radio is fundamentally about listening. A band scope encourages you to watch rather than listen. By relying on your ears instead of a visual display, you'll develop better listening skills and a deeper understanding of band conditions.

2. Unnecessary complexity

Adding a band scope introduces another layer of complexity to your radio. More features mean more buttons, menus, and potential points of failure. Keeping it simple allows you to focus on operating rather than fiddling with settings.

3. Battery life drain

For portable operations, every bit of power counts. Band scopes, with their constant scanning and bright displays, can significantly reduce your battery life. Skip the scope, and you'll stay on the air longer.

4. Cost

Radios with band scopes generally cost more than their simpler counterparts. The second-hand market is awash with older radios that do not have band scopes and prices for these older (and very capable) radios can be very attractive. If you're on a budget or just starting out, the money saved could then be spent on antennas or station accessories.

5. The thrill of discovery

Part of the excitement in ham radio is stumbling upon unexpected contacts. A band scope can spoil this by showing you everything at once. Without it, each spin of the dial brings the potential for surprise.

While band scopes may look impressive, they're far from essential for enjoying amateur radio. By focusing on developing your listening skills and embracing the core aspects of the hobby, you'll likely find yourself having more fun and making more contacts – no fancy display required.

The agony of choice: Picking a new HF radio in 2024

In the world of amateur radio, choosing a new HF rig in 2024 feels a lot like picking out the last piece of gear you'll ever buy. In my case, that’s not far from the truth—I want this radio to last me a lifetime, and so it’s no small decision. After hours upon hours of poring over reviews, spec sheets, and YouTube demos, I'm finding myself in a frustrating conundrum. With options like the Icom IC-7300, IC-7610, Kenwood TS-890S, Yaesu FTDX10, FT-710, and FTDX101 on the table, you'd think one of them would clearly stand out. But alas, none of these radios ticks all of the boxes I’ve set.

The Wish List (or 'What I’m looking for in my dream HF radio')

User Interface: I like to have all the controls I use most often at my fingertips. I'm not keen on diving into menus to make quick adjustments—especially when you're trying to catch that weak DX station on a narrow band opening. A well-designed user interface with physical knobs for commonly used features is preferable.

Nice Screen: These days, I feel like a decent screen with a good waterfall display isn't too much to ask for, right? But it’s not just about having one—it needs to be visually pleasing and offer the right mix of data at a glance without overwhelming me.

RF Performance: I primarily chase DX using SSB, CW, and data modes like FT8. That means I need a rig with excellent sensitivity, good dynamic range, and the ability to handle crowded bands without folding under the pressure. It’s crucial for me that this radio pulls signals out of the noise, even with my relatively simple wire antennas.

Connectivity: As someone who likes to use digital modes, I need seamless CAT control and straightforward data mode connectivity. Plugging in and getting my PC to talk to the radio shouldn’t be an adventure every time.

Longevity: This is a big one. I’m planning to invest in a radio that will see me through the rest of my days on the air. I want something that’s not only durable but also future-proof in terms of features and firmware updates. 

The Contenders

-Icom IC-7300

It’s hard not to love this little radio. The RF performance, especially for its price, is incredible. The user interface is clean, and Icom's touchscreen is a big selling point. However, the 7300 lacks some of the more robust features found in higher-end radios. Also, its display, while good, is not quite up to the level of the pricier rigs.

-Icom IC-7610

The IC-7610 almost ticks all the boxes. Dual receivers, a better screen than the 7300, and excellent performance on CW and data modes. But then again, it’s a hefty investment. Is it that much better than the IC-7300 to justify the extra cost? Two receivers is a must for many people but not for me.

-Kenwood TS-890S

Fantastic RF performance, one of the best CW rigs out there, and a solid user interface. Price wise it's close to the IC-7610, and it’s just as visually striking. The lack of dual receive isn't a problem for me and I've had a number of Kenwood radios in the past and all were lovely to operate and listen to for extended periods (TS140,TS440,TS480,TS870).

-Yaesu FTDX10

The FTDX10 intrigues me with its compact size and strong RF performance. The screen is good, and the waterfall is smooth. But again, the lack of dedicated knobs for some frequently-used features forces me into menus, which is a pet peeve. It's a great radio, but is it a great fit?

-Yaesu FT-710

The FT-710 feels like a trimmed-down version of the FTDX10, and while it’s got some strong points, it doesn’t quite measure up in the areas that matter most to me—especially in terms of user controls and overall refinement.

-Yaesu FTDX101

The hybrid SDR architecture gives it that edge in dynamic range, and the display is stunning. The downside? It’s big, heavy, and has a price tag to match. And do I really need a rig that complex? There’s a fine line between having advanced features and having so many that I’ll spend half my time figuring out how to use them!

The Struggle

Each of these radios excels in some areas but falls short in others. The Icoms win on the display and general usability front, but I feel like the Yaesu models might have the edge when it comes to pulling in weak DX signals. The TS890s, meanwhile, offer that classic feel and stellar CW performance, coupled with that classic Kenwood audio on SSB.

What’s keeping me stuck in analysis paralysis is the fact that no radio ticks every single box. If only I could combine the best features of each into a custom rig tailored perfectly to my needs! But alas, I’m left weighing trade-offs and wondering if I’ll ever find a radio that feels like 'the one'.

Maybe that’s just the nature of the hobby—there’s always going to be something better on the horizon. But for now, I’ll keep plugging away at reviews, weighing features, and trying to picture which radio will be my companion for the years to come.

I'm hoping very much that when I am finally able to choose, I’ll spend more time on the air and less time wishing I’d picked something else!

Got thoughts on any of these rigs? Leave a comment below—I’d love to hear from fellow hams wrestling with the same decision!