Ham Radio Basics--DXing--The Pileup

[@davequick3373]

You are a definite asset to our hobby! Thanks foe ALL of your thoughtful videos!

[@johnzs1zc924]

Jim, you're a great presenter and communicator, really easy to listen to. Keep up the good work!

[@MaverickR6315]

Jim, thank you for all the knowledge you impart on us "newbies", I have and will continue to enjoy learning from your wealth of knowledge! -Kenn KD2NVJ

[@donaldgrandfield5072]

Thank You Jim. Your video's have been a great help, as a new ham. W3VRX. 73's

[@tomramberg5625]

Hi, JIm, lots of good advice here. I personally prefer whole calls when I´m on the receiving end. And I definitely prefer the pileup to wait for my QRZ. One more advice: If the DX is asking for a specific call or combination of letters, som stations keep calling even though they are note remotely close. That slows down the pileup and is just annoying. Personally I ignore them, even if they are strong. Bad conduct is not rewarded. I also try to pick out QRPs and mobiles, as I know how hard it is to get through. Good DX de Tom JW6VDA.

[@ham-radio]

Thanks Tom! When you are at JW6VDA, you have the whole world calling. You are good at picking out the weaker signals in the pileup. I hear guys calling even though the DX station has asked for a callsign that is not even remotely close. It is even worse if the DX station works the guy with the call that did not match in any way. A couple of DXers have told me that they will work that guy but not log the contact. Thanks again Tom! 73 de W6LG

[@ham-radio]

Hi,Thank you for writing. I am sending this same response to many. On Tuesday, November 2nd in the morning at 0300 I was taken by ambulance to the local hospital with severe shortness of breath. I had been having a problem breathing for more than a year. A blood test in the Emergency Room showed my D-Dimer score of 12,281. A D-Dimer of over 500 is considered high. I was told that I set a new record in the ER at 12K. My oxygen level was about 82%. A CT scan showed I had a bilateral pulmonary embolism with almost total blockage. I was close to dying. A powerful blood thinningmedication was injected many times over the next several days. I was in the hospital for 5 days. I was sent home Saturday evening. I was on oxygen full time for a few days and mostly at night. I must use a walker. I can only walk a short distance on a level surface. Treatment for the blood clots is 6 months. It will take that long for some of them to go away. While in the hospital many came by to ask me questions about how I was able to live the last few months. I had been to 3 doctors recently and not correctly diagnosed. The outlook is good. I must follow the doctor's orders carefully. I do not feel strong enough to have vistors and don't want to risk infection at this time. My wife is taking excellent care of me. I will beuploading a video about Pulmonary Embolism soon. All of us who sit for a long time are at risk. Again, thanks for your message. 73, Jim W6LG

[@jalensi1978]

Jim, As I recently discovered your videos and have been pouring through them, I read the above and am sending you best wishes for a speedy return to health. 73's, Jared KE0HGM.

[@campingrhodys5082]

Jim you are lucky and I am glad you are ok! Get well soon because I would love to make contact on 20M or 80M sometime! Be well! Merry Christmas 73 Mark W1MBF

[@OgdenARC]

Well I'm A Truck driver and sit a lot so how can I prevent this from Happening. Guess I should get my Border collie pup From wife and train her. She does like to travel but not yet bathroom trained. So stopping a lot might not look good for disbatchers.

[@bigsky1970]

Great tips and a lot of these I've picked up from my OM. Like you said, it's best to listen to the patterns of the DX station working their pileup. Stations who don't know what to look for, end up spending what seems like an eternity in the pile up and eventually miss out because the DX station goes QRT. 73's Jim de AA7YA

[@goaley45]

Great vid, Jim. Super content but what really sets you apart is your delivery. You have a deep, powerful voice yet you speak slowly so you are very easy to understand. Thanks for the good info.

[@CharlesHarpolek4vud]

Good advice, Jim, for SSB. Note folks, sending only two of your letters really irritates SOME ops.

[@MET90LX]

More power is the answer to getting through pileups

[@beekeeper8474]

Great video! I run 100 watts with a efhw and have been able to make it through a few really noisy pileups by finding the patterns. Pretty new to ham but really like trying to get those long distance contacts.

[@johnwmacdonald994]

Thanks Jim, Excellent discussion, and all your videos so far have been helpful and just plain enjoyable. Keep them coming and I'll be listening. 73, KC1DIW.

[@ham-radio]

Wow! Really? I sometimes think they are not very good. Hopefully, I will get better as I learn how to do the video. I am not real good in front of the camera. Thanks John! 73, Jim

[@luke8210]

Great video jim. I know I'm late to the game this is an old video. But hey, I'm a newer ham. So much different in the cb skip world I came from. There I would drop the hammer and come out on top. I'm older now and as a ham I'm learning patience. Hah. Thanks again.

[@ua9cdc]

Hi Jim, When I am on the DX side of pileup I really prefer full call signs because it speeds up the pileup. 90% of time I can get the complete call sign. When I am calling DX I also send my full call sign. Often the DX station catches only UA9 or only CDC out of the pileup mess. Thus I get better chances. Long call sign has its own advantage. While callers with short call sign have already finished their call I am still saying Delta Charly. This tail ending sometimes helps. I only give "the last two" when I know for sure the DX station prefers this.

[@ham-radio]

Since you have been to many DX locations, your advice is very important to us. I know you are going to Maldives soon. I hope to work you there. Thank you Igor. 73, Jim

[@grahamkingswell8884]

Well presented Jim, and some very useful points. I like the way you say "LISTEN LISTEN and LISTEN some more " It sure plays the part. de Graham ZL3MA

[@ham-radio]

Thanks Graham. You live in a great spot for working the world. Here on the west coast it can be a real challenge. Often, guys on the east coast are stronger with a G5RV than I am with 2 phased yagis and an amplifier. It keeps it interesting and challenging. 73 and thanks, Jim W6LG

[@33csmartin]

Great info and advice! Thanks for doing these! A big help.

[@ham-radio]

You are very welcome. 73, Jim W6LG

[@VASQUJA]

I notice that some runners will mix up how they respond to calling stations. They might grab a loud station once or twice, and then hang back for some and pick out something when the pile up thins out. I initially thought this was a pretty neat practice, but then I had a heck of a time timing my call! Anyway, thanks for sharing this video. I enjoyed watching! 73 from KD2PUW

[@MikeWood]

What do you think of adding /QRP portable or just announcing QRP to get their initial attention at times to make you stand out?

[@scotthill6807]

I always learn on this channel. Thank you.

[@ham-radio]

Thanks very much Scott. Today my oldest son drove me to Lowe's and we purchased a heater, insulation and lumber for the radio room at the new QTH. I have been very busy with the move and had no time for videos. But, I do have some ideas that I hope to do in the next few days. Take care Scott, 73, Jim

[@PreppingOhio]

I just subbed. I have a lot to learn, and I believe that your videos will educate me. Thanks!

[@prabirdebnath5197]

Nice would like to hear more on making dx contacts tricks. Thank you very much

[@anitasmith987]

Good info, especially for newbies. Always be professional and use proper phonetics. I think complete calls should be the default in pileups. . Shorten if Really needed. A discussion on pile ups seems incomplete without explanation of panadaptor use & tricks. By far the most useful tool in a pileup. Listen , listen, listen... and learn to use a padadaptor. I'm lost without one now ! There is NOTHING like watching & working a pileup on a screen. A video on working a pileup with a panadaptor would be great.

[@stephentaylor280]

Another good educational video. Keep up Jim. KK7T.

[@josephheasley3280]

Enjoy all your videos. Regards from Belfast Ireland... Joe GI4GID

[@ham-radio]

Many thanks! Take care Joe, 73, Jim

[@paulhastings3109]

Tnx Jim today and most of the week, I had a noise level s9. The conditions will change and give me time to work on antennas. The it's the point that the most important thing in the system 73 Paul KQ4CD

[@ham-radio]

Signal to Noise Ratio, as you know Paul. I have that issue here too with solar panels and other stuff. I want to try the DX Engineering NCC-2 but it is very expensive for what it is. I do know from what a very good friend said, it magic when combating noise. 73 to you Paul from me, Jim

[@paulhastings3109]

@@ham-radio having a FTDX-10 doses help. If and when I can put up Mosley TA33 with work bands. Just don't know if I should 50 or 60 feet. Don't have a amplifier, but been looking at the Palstar. If I can't hear him it just fun with 100 watts. 73 Jim like you call it fits you KQ4CD Paul ⚓️ 1🇺🇲

[@rob-zz5pp]

learning lot from you Jim I'm still C B base station doing my ham radio lience soon Rob

[@rob-zz5pp]

learning lot from you Rob Queensland 73's Jim

[@ham-radio]

That is good Rob. I am trying to teach. 73, Jim

[@andyaskew1543]

I am an inexperienced extra and this was very informative….

[@philipchandler330]

Very informative deeply appreciated

[@rico1319]

Hi Jim, I know it’s been a while now but I sure hope you’re feeling better these days? W5PN

[@martychmelik1457]

Jim I love your videos

[@wolffzambelli2701]

Love them old Drakes....73

[@digital4282]

Great video Jim! Used your videos while I was getting my license, just got my call sign today! 73 KE8FDD

[@ham-radio]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!! That's great. Have lots of fun in the Amateur Radio Service. 73, Jim W6LG

[@scarlett92584]

What would you recommend for a DXing radio that won't break the bank. And antenna? I do not have much room for ground radials (lots of concrete and a swimming pool), thank you for your help.

[@ham-radio]

Without question, a simple dipole. Not a G5RV, just a simple, homemade dipole. 73, Jim W6LG

[@scarlett92584]

I have watched some videos of DXing and I am wondering what are all the numbers they are saying back and forth? I know some are call signs, some are signal and power.

[@ham-radio]

Hi, Often it is just a serial number beginning at 001. Or, it can be a zone. Like an ITU zone; 03. The way to find out is to look up the contest on a Contest Calendar. Some contests exchange other information like the year licensed. In any case, the information exchanged is very specific and so is the order. Usually the signal report is 59 or 5nn for everyone. Thanks for asking Shawn. 73, Jim 59001 check 63.

[@Rad_Hack]

When working CW should you also give an abbreviated two letter "call" in response to a CQ or QRZ as you suggested when working SSB?

[@ham-radio]

+Hank Tyler Thanks Hank. It has been different for me on CW. I give the whole call. DXpedition guys are usually very good at CW and are 25 to 30 WPM. So, it goes very fast and they get it.

[@bigsky1970]

I personally send my whole call on CW. Like Jim says, DXepedition CW operators are some of the best.

[@ElDirtyFly]

Isn't it ilegal to send only part of a call sign?

[@ham-radio]

No, if you ID as required in addition. 73, Jim

[@spaceshantynow1851]

Thanks Jim!

[@ham-radio]

Thank you! 73, Jim

[@Roddy1965]

excellent advice

[@JosephAnthonyJosefius]

That helped a lot, thank you!

[@ham-radio]

Glad it helped Joe! 73, Jim

[@MM0IMC]

Shortened calls are a minefield and are not legal. Always best to stick to the full call, IMHO.

[@ham-radio]

MM0IMC Amateur Radio Channel Hi, Thanks. Shortened callsigns are legal in the United States. We only need to say our callsign every 10 minutes and at the end. During emergencies, callsigns do not need to be used. I have used designators like fairgrounds, knco, headquarters during emergencies. 73, Jim Wolf Mountain Lookout

[@bigsky1970]

Partial calls in the pileup are perfectly legal in the US. When the DX comes back to you with something like "Six Lima Golf? Again? Again?"... That's when you reply with your full call.

[@MM0IMC]

Carl Tuckerson Your mileage may vary country to country. 😉

[@noth606]

I'm in NL, here both incomplete callsigns and incorrect phonetics are against the regulations, and you have to use the callsign every 5min or more often than that. A bit odd that regulations are so different when there are international agreements on these things. Our max transmit is 400w(with our equivalent of Extra only) on HF/VHF/UHF and lower above that also. I know a guy who runs a kilowatt without issue for about two years now, and he's not even licensed and no one bothered him, so that's also odd, but not what I'd do.

[@VoeViking]

Is that an oximeter on the table???

[@ham-radio]

Yes. I had a pulmonary embolism, heart attack and lung enfarc on November 1 of last year. I am still recovering 6 months later. Thanks for asking. 73, Jim W6LG

[@saldiquattro808]

Ke2il great Jim keep it up sal

[@martychmelik1457]

Marty KO4DPJ

[@ham-radio]

Thanks Marty, 73, Jim

[@0rb0d]

Giving partial calls is absolutely horrible advice. It slows things down for everyone. I speak from experience of a half dozen expeditions. Don't be a lid, give your full call!

[@ham-radio]

Thank you. It would be nice if you had given us your callsign. We did not even get a partial from you. My call is W6LG and I have been on the air for almost 60 years. 73, Jim

[@fredbissnette3104]

great info Jim! I've heard you on 20m in the last few days hope to make contact - ve1qfa