10-10-2013, 02:51 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-10-2013, 02:54 PM by Robert Darwent.)
I have been following this thread with interest. Like David, I am a radio amateur in name only. I gained my full licence (G0UHF) back in 1992 and so far I have never transmitted! I pretty much took the RAE because a friend of mine was keen to pass and I went through the syllabus with him. Although for a time I did have intentions of setting up a homebrew morse station, but that never materialised. My interest was always 'listening' for broadcast band DX, particularly transatlantic stations on the medium waves, something I still keenly do.
With regards David's opinions on SSB 'pile-ups' and the like, I must say I agree with his comments. Also the idea of small bands of amateurs setting off to distant uninhabited chunks of rock just to activate a rare prefix for a while, to me seems farcical. But then again, each to his own.
I must also share David's view, to some extent, about skill not being required with a good deal of reception on the bands. However, I must fully back Lawrence's comment when he says;
which applies even more so with MW DXing and not just with 'minimal equipment' IMHO.
It is not just a matter of the same receiver and antenna giving the same results. To 'dig' distant stations out on the point of unintelligibilty and make a positive identification does require a good deal of skill in 'playing' the receiver controls much like a musical instrument. As with a musical instrument, doing that well takes skill not just experience and practice.
Just my thoughts, no doubt I'm in a minority of one again!
Regards
With regards David's opinions on SSB 'pile-ups' and the like, I must say I agree with his comments. Also the idea of small bands of amateurs setting off to distant uninhabited chunks of rock just to activate a rare prefix for a while, to me seems farcical. But then again, each to his own.
I must also share David's view, to some extent, about skill not being required with a good deal of reception on the bands. However, I must fully back Lawrence's comment when he says;
(10-10-2013, 12:23 PM)pwdrive Wrote: SWL DX with minimal equipment is a real skill, believe me, not so much tuning the tuned circuits but tuning your ears
which applies even more so with MW DXing and not just with 'minimal equipment' IMHO.
It is not just a matter of the same receiver and antenna giving the same results. To 'dig' distant stations out on the point of unintelligibilty and make a positive identification does require a good deal of skill in 'playing' the receiver controls much like a musical instrument. As with a musical instrument, doing that well takes skill not just experience and practice.
Just my thoughts, no doubt I'm in a minority of one again!
Regards
