Bob Allphin K4UEE
DX University – Visalia 2012
K4UEE has visited 112 DXCC entities and operated from 63. He has
participated in 37 DXpeditions, and specializes in activating "top 10
most-wanted" and so far has 9 to his credit! They are Baker/Howland (#8),
Heard Island (#4), Bhutan (#3), South Sandwich Islands (#6), South
Georgia Island (#10), Peter I Island (#4), Lakshadweep (#2), Desecheo
(#6) and most recently Saba/St. Eustatius (all-time new one). Malpelo, his
latest activation is ranked #12 "most wanted" and set a new World Record
for QSOs.
He has 8 "DXpedition of the Year" plaques hanging on the wall. Since
retiring thirteen years ago to pursue DXpeditioning more or less full time,
Bob has participated in 9 MAJOR DXpeditions that have made over
900,000 QSOs.
He is an active contester and has participated in 36 contest DXpeditions.
From the mid 80's through the early 2000's, Bob set five single
operator/single band World Records and was a competitor in two World
Radio Team Championships (WRTC) events. The first in 1996 and then
again in 2000.
Bob is a member of the CQ DX Hall of Fame, VooDoo Contest Group,
FOC (First Class Operator Club), A-1 Operator Club, the Southeastern DX
Club Hall of Fame, Chairman of INDEXA, former Chairman of the ARRL
DX Advisory Committee (DXAC), past President of the SEDXC and
President of The KP1-5 Project.
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DX University – Visalia 2012
From the DXpedition’s Point of View
Bob Allphin K4UEE
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DX University – Visalia 2012
Observations from the “Other End”
of the pileup….
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DX University – Visalia 2012
Pileups vary in size, intensity and
demeanor due to:
-Rarity of the DX station
-Propagation
-Skill of the DXpedition operator
-Skill of the DXers calling
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DX University – Visalia 2012
One rule always applies……
when calling---you must STAND OUT from
the crowd!
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DX University – Visalia 2012
How do you stand out?
-be louder
-be smarter
-be in the “clear”.
or all 3 !
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DX University – Visalia 2012
How to be louder
Power---antennas---location
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DX University – Visalia 2012
How to be smarter
Determine listening pattern-place your signal
in the right place.
And call where the DX station will listen next!
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From the DXpedition’s Point of View
DX University – Visalia 2012
Here’s how to do it…..
LISTEN to determine his listening pattern.
Does he..
Move up or down after every QSO? Or move after
several QSOs on the same freq?....place your signal
ahead of that movement.
If you cannot hear who he is working, but he starts at the
bottom, goes to the top and starts again at the
bottom?....place your signal at the bottom.
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DX University – Visalia 2012
What if you cannot hear who the DX
station is working?
but he starts at the bottom, goes to the
top and reverses and goes back to the
bottom....
place your signal at the lower limit or higher limit to
give yourself two chances in each cycle.
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From the DXpedition’s Point of View
DX University – Visalia 2012
OR….
he starts at the top, goes to the bottom
and starts again at the top….
place your signal at the top.
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From the DXpedition’s Point of View
DX University – Visalia 2012
Lastly….
if the DX station is using no discernible
pattern….
park somewhere - rather than randomly
changing your transmit frequency.
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DX University – Visalia 2012
HKØNA pileup recording!
What would you do if you were the DX
operator?
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DX University – Visalia 2012
Here’s what I did!
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DX University – Visalia 2012
I listened in the “clear"
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DX University – Visalia 2012
Other observations
on what to do:
your calling pattern…
your calling speed…
your phonetics…
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DX University – Visalia 2012
Observations on what NOT to do:
First and foremost….if you are not sure you could hear the
DX station respond to you…DON’T CALL !
Do not call continuously…time your calls!
If DX station responds to a partial call…don’t call!..unless…
If the DX station has your call correct…don’t repeat it again!
Etc….
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From the DXpedition’s Point of View
DX University – Visalia 2012
Please remember….
the operator on the “other end”
Hard physical work
Extremes of heat and cold
Animals as neighbors
Poor food and sanitation
Operate 12-15 hours per day for days on end!
Lack of sleep
Paid a lot of money/time to be there!
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From the DXpedition’s Point of View
DX University – Visalia 2012
Many thanks for attending the 1st DX
University.
We on the DXU staff hope your time was well
spent.
CU in the pileups!
73, Bob
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DX University – Visalia 2012
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