Racking Up DX Contacts On Ham Radio, Gang Busters, 20 Meters

The bands are dead..... Are They really????
Using IC-7300 with Hy-Gain SPT-500 vertical on 20 meters, 100 watts.
Take a look on how I get some new countries in my log. 5 new countries today.
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CALL CQ!!

[@chansetwo]

I always make it a point to give accurate signal reports. Otherwise, what's the point?

[@TheAC4M]

Called contesting when rst always understood 59 so you dont have slow qso rates down just trying to get a 22 report. That just being someone that is not like the others and become a strange person in the eyes of peers.

[@Jerry-td8yn]

Do you like taco? 🌮🌮🌮🌮

[@jlca320]

as a fairly new ham. I just got mine General Last Summer. I had a great time Saturday with the contest. I was not participating just answering calls. I picked up several Caribbean islands and Costa Rica. I personally do not find the bands dead either. I love you videos keep up the good work especially getting the word out there the bands are alive.

[@fevo69]

IS MAGIC!! Activity in 10 and 15 Meters !! Every time there is a contest, the band open up and then die until the next contest.

[@jim-cm2qp]

The band was open, I hear beacons telling me so, but no one was on, I think that's what you meant, but if you call CQ you will be surprised, it is kind of fun patience, have fun, remember just because a band is quit doesn't mean it's not open.

[@hamradiotube]

Eric, it sucks so much that the bands are dead! I was only able to work 3 different HI stations on 3 different islands on 40, 20, and 15 meters from Detroit on my humble home brew fan dipole antenna, pushing 90 watts from my Yaesu 891! Furthermore, it's too bad that I was only able to work Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, Curacao, Brazil, Bermuda, Bahamas, Chile, Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands, and Venezuela, over the weekend. 73 good buddy! Love the videos! And you're a Hofer. Thats gotta go for something brother!

[@dheller777]

Well said . I worked many of the same stations as you with 100 watts and an end fee wire up in a tree. All with no propagation.

[@mycatsaliberal3848]

What does no propagation mean

[@mycatsaliberal3848]

Sorry I’m a complete noob to this stuff

[@SilentGloves]

Such a great video and a great point. HF propagation doesn't range from 0 to 100%, it's more like 30-70%. In the best conditions, it isn't perfect, and in the worst conditions, it's far from dead.

[@JohnWilson-iu5lm]

Great video had a great time this weekend.I usually have to fight the east, and west coast walls from La..But this weekend worked EU's, pacific, south America, Caribbean. 73 K5JRW John

[@turtlekoff1]

20M was hot all weekend. Worked a few new countries myself. Good video as always Eric. !

[@richardchambless12]

I worked about a dozen stations in a few minutes during this contest today. Had a lot of fun with 100 watts and a dipole!

[@cablemedic207]

Problem is if you don’t submit the log, the other stations won’t get credit for the contact. But either way, it’s cool to work DX

[@swflKVNC]

Not a contester but had a lot of fun Sunday ~16 contacts all"59" . I am an Elecraft guy but purchased a 7300 cause of you! What a fun radio!! just something different about it. Greetings from SWFL Tom w1icu

[@Transmissions]

“Kilowatt, Queen, Sugar, America”. Four words you’ll never hear from Eric...

[@jphillips260]

Getting an education in contest exchange right here. way to go Eric! Also seeing how sweet a band scope is for finding stations.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Yah I am spoiled.. :)

[@bruehlt]

"You get a 5-9! And you get a 5-9! Everyone gets a 5-9!" If Oprah did amateur radio.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

HAHAHA

[@bb_37]

Preach it, brother! Yes, propagation is down. But, there are still contacts to be made. We should be thankful for contests that encourage people to get on the air and make contacts on "dead" bands. You might want to put together your log and submit it to the ARRL. Some contest managers really scrutinize the logs they receive to look for participants who are "cheating" by submitting logs with contacts that are made up. It's possible that one of the stations you contacted could lose credit for the contact they made with you if the contest manager doesn't have your log to verify that the contact actually happened. One more thing, remember the line from Contact when the father was coaching Ellie about making ham radio contacts? "Small moves, Ellie. Small moves." If you spin the knob, you might miss stations. Though, I understand that your intent was to just show that the bands were active yesterday. Good job posting this video. We need to spread the word that the only way you can make contacts is to actually get on the air. ;) de W9BU

[@kennethburtelson2607]

New Ham here. So you can use a vertical like a Hy-Gain on HAM radio? I already have a Solarcon Vertical 5/8 wave on my roof for 10-12 Meter. I can use that antenna? I am thinking of getting a Yaesu FTDX-10. Really trying to get some advice.

[@ATOMSHAMRADIO]

Great radio always great vids thank you 1👍🤟

[@HamRadioTV]

What a great contest it was! It's always fun to see what other people experienced after the contest.

[@chuckwilliams6294]

Nice video. A couple of suggestions and one ? 1.When you answer the CQ of a DX station that is "running" , you should give your call (only)...so that he or she can check for "dupes" and then give you their contest exchange . The station "holding court, always gives their exchange first. 2. I hope you are going to submit a log, in order to avoid numerous "not in log" feedback lines, when they request, and receive a post contest "feedback" report. Have you considered putting more physical separation between your two antennas, in order to minimize the potential for "skewing" the RX (and TX) pattern, of one or both antennas? My 2023 CQWW Ph contest summary (for my "100 watts and a wire" effort, is on the 3830 "brag site" in case you're bored. 🤣 73, N7MZW.

[@keithmotty1]

can I just ask how do the guys in the contest get their points if you dont log them ??

[@gregoryjohnson5656]

Keep up the great work Eric..

[@doncoker]

Somebody laid a 17m pipe between S CA and Japan today. Made my first two contacts there. Was a great day.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Glad you made a contact to Japan, I struggle to make contacts to that area. Although 12,17 and 30m are WARC bands, and not for contesting, it still had some propagation there.. have fun, 73

[@doncoker]

Thanks Eric. I actually wasn't contesting - should have noted that the first time - but making other contacts. I appreciate your push that the bands aren't dead! Keep it up! 73

[@cmnall]

Suggestion: don’t add so much extraneous stuff when the DX station has only part of your call. And don’t give your report until they come back with your full call.

[@jimeppright7862]

Absolutely right!

[@billkeys6733]

The bands aren't completely dead, but they are far from open, compared to real dx atmospheric openings that are worldwide. Those occur primarily near the high end of the 11 year sunspot cycle. The south pole, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Turkey, Siberia, Franz Josef Land, and dxpeditions operating from otherwise uninhabited islands in the south pacific and Indian oceans are some examples of contacts that are typical of the really hot openings when the maximum usable frequency (muf reading) rises to 10m and often 6m. That, coupled with less absorption ("A" index) and higher solar flux index (SFI) produces spectacular results, even with 100 watts and a decent antenna. The band conditions can be seen on QRZ dot com and similar websites. I've had contacts with 266 countries so far, with just casual operating over the past 8-10 years, almost all coming during the more favorable part of the sunspot cycle. We are now just passing the bottom of the cycle, and the next few years should provide increasing activity. N4DXC

[@stevearrowood7430]

You probably know this but if you change your spectrum line to red, your waterfall to grid 3 and waveform to Orange your scope will talk to you and you can immediately identify the weakest stations and it looks great! Longest contact this weekend was HI 4000mi but I couldn't get that boomer in Belize, did you?

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Yes I did, at the end of the video you can see a little screenshot of the countries, Belize is a new one for me.

[@BruceInFlorida]

Hey Eric !! Nice hearing you on our 7300 😊 Guess I'll have to look at 20m activity . 73 de Bruce N4BRM

[@niftyfiftycampingadventure795]

Using the same rig , with a Sirio 2016 5/8 wave vertical on 20m. 8m Elevation, off the ground 5/9 Into Florida and Northern Europe. on 150w .. Noise is totally manageable, My favourite Band... 73s HS0ZOU.

[@k2icc]

Got my IC-7300 few days ago from Gigaparts. Added a Shure SM7B microphone I already had. Now, you got an AV-680. Any other you recommend or one antenna you have tested or performs great with the IC-7300 internal tuner? Thanks.

[@ne2i]

You need to see some of these contest station antennas. Some guys have 100k invested in their stations. They compensate for smaller stations antennas.

[@W-733_KWX]

Eric, good job :) You should use your Penetrator on 11m band with you 7300 so that they don't complain you're using this antenna on HAM bands. Oh, but they will complain you're on 11 with your 7300. And, if you use a CB radio, they'll complain you are a HAM and why you are using 11m :)))))) Enjoy and 73 de Chris HAM : ha7wx / CB: KP733 ;)

[@HamRadioConcepts]

73 Chris :)

[@silweragentum739]

Bullshit

[@brianfields4479]

Never worked a contest and never gave anyone a 59, unless my ear drums are bursting.

[@724Chicago]

Like fish in a barrel this weekend!

[@vijaysanthosh9234]

Your antenna is very good

[@stevegordon4700]

It was fun weekend I made several contacts on 15 meter many country's with g5 rv antenna also used a 99 cb ant.73s

[@jordanjohnson3370]

Worked some of those same stations today with 100w and a wire from NY. Seems like whenever the index says poor I have better luck.

[@joeltalbot1546]

I worked HF on my FTM-400XDR and got all 95’s 😝😝😝. For a real challenge I went, QRP with my FT-60. Just kidding. Don’t do contests or DX, just not my cup of coffee. Glad everybody had a good time. 👍🏻👏🏼

[@MacsForever1]

For a gag it would be funny to get QSL cards for 100 counties on Fusion and send it to the ARRL for DXCC. They'd have to give it to you unless it's in their rules. :)

[@reallybadaim118]

The bands were crazy Sunday. Both 20 and 80 I heard a lot of stations I haven't heard that strong in a long time.

[@stevelacy316]

Great video been working some of the contests myself it's funny how contests will bring out a lot of people on a band lol . 73 n8wxt

[@billkeys6733]

Bands are quiet on a relative basis. We are approaching the low point of the 11-year sunspot cycle. Activity of course picks up during contest weekends, and many contacts into the Caribbean and Europe can be made from the east coast, for example. These days, during the week, 20 and occasionally 17 meters will open to Europe in the morning. Late afternoon 17 will be good for a few contacts into the Pacific northwest and west coast with a lot of QSB (fading) and 20 will bring a few African contacts. As the sun moves west near dusk, Japan and maybe Australia can be worked on 20, and 17 usually closes down. After dark 40 meters is a good place to look for DX. African stations can be heard on SSB and some from the Indian Ocean on CW, although relatively weak. During years of peak sunspot activity, conditions can be phenomenal, when the bands really open up especially 20, 17, 15, and 10 meters often being open world-wide, sometimes well past midnight. It is during those months that DX-ing is the most fun. 73s to all.....K4RFX

[@stevenaustin2860]

yes i thought you should have had more calls as i have only had my license since may this year and have got 65 countries lol but your right the bands and prop would be better if people would call cq instead of just listening so ill give you a thunbs up for that fella 73 and good dx budd from M7BYF in liverpool england. been watching you for years since your flowerpot antenna lol just a little joke. oh your right they did sound like a 5.9

[@warrenksanbornjr.6643]

That's a good antenna Eric I want one of those for my 11 meter cobra 148 Gtl and my President HR-2510

[@Sasquatchsketcher]

What are your settings for your screen on the the 7300 display?

[@unitedstatesdale]

Your channel is Epic. Im Hoping to get a license someday

[@mistergamerguy]

Do they ever have this type of thing happening on the bands for tech license?

[@michaeltaylor9463]

good video just wish it was like this at my qth still happy dx-ing 73s

[@jojojeep1]

What you doing there is that like 11 band CB skip

[@SpectreOZ]

Signal propagation... exactly but different bands perform/behave differently, 10m would be the most similar 👍

[@vladimirpugachev6017]

Great video, but I can't understand why you used the spectroscope in the central mode.The other mode of use of the spectroscope looks better. I think. Isn't?

[@challenger2ultralightadventure]

Contesting and DXpeditions are always 59.

[@Chungustav]

Seems lame to me. What's the point? You lie to me I lie to you?

[@Darrell_Coquillette]

I heard you in a pileup!

[@72tx340]

What model radio is that

[@TheBernieWalsh]

I just tried loading my TS-570D to my SPT-500. No joy without using the antenna tuner. The radio did tune using the tuner however. Your video however, showed insight about band condx. Seems like contest weekends, they just open up!

[@HamRadioConcepts]

What frequency is your antenna tuned for? I have mine set for 10 meter AM around 29.000 so I can cover SSB and FM portion. If you are using it on 11 meters then yes you will need to use a tuner, but depends on where you plan on using it.

[@TheBernieWalsh]

@@HamRadioConcepts I have it tuned at 28.500 so I can cover the SSB/CW portion of the band. I need to use the tuner for FM at 29.6 and above. I cannot use it on 11 meters, using the 570D. I would need such a radio covering that band. The antenna is at 22 feet (base of it). Grounded properly. Not knowing where Eric's SPT-500 is tuned, but being ground mounted and in Florida, may make a big difference. Bernie K8BDW

[@stevearrowood7430]

Guess you did. Man, you were killing it! 73 KM6VAY

[@HamRadioConcepts]

@@forgetyourlife I dont think so. I showed you i scrolled through and banged out what I could. The one part i DID edit out was where me and the MN guy laughed about these comments on YouTUbe that say I am using magic and the bands are dead..

[@djshnibz]

Ugh, I have to get my general and that 7300 😩, an antenna too of course 😂

[@dmb3428]

15m was lively which shocked me, I never hear much on there normally

[@rondellschuyler7074]

Many people are lazy anymore they would rather complain than Embrace action. Radio is fun get involved

[@flyboybobio3431]

Your so right Eric as you always say. I made a few contacts as well on 20M with a simple dipole antenna. Couple new Countries. Why does your MFJ meter jump around so much when you transmit? Keep preaching.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

because it doesnt have PEP. Ijust leave it there for reference in the video that I have a 2.5:1 SWR.. :)

[@patrickbaer3742]

@@HamRadioConcepts 59 old man 👨

[@Bernard-John]

hi,interesting video,i have the same icom and swr meter,but what i dont get,no one seems to be talking to each other,it seems all radio reports,is that not so boring,why not have a conversation with someone,would recommend the icom sm 50 desk mike,thanks,from rotterdam...........

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Its a contest. Periodically they have contest weekends to exchange as many signal reports as possible. Plenty of frequencies where there is no contesting. Just utilized this contest to make contacts thats all

[@Bernard-John]

@@HamRadioConcepts ok fair enough, thanks for the quick response,

[@emailuser3869]

Eric, dude, the bands are DEAD. You know this :P

[@johnpalmer908]

so i finally got an hf radio(ic7300 and av680 antennaa few days ago, all day saturday all my contacts were for the contest and they were all 5/9, so sunday morning i finally jumped on a net on 40 meters and got a more accurate report and from PA into AL i was a 5/9 so maybe those contest contacts were 5/9

[@JD9RX830]

Great video as always! I agree with the 59! I've seen other hams talk about this and this is what I do. If you make a contact, don't be a nit picky douche, give a 59 and move on!

[@HamRadioConcepts]

well said Todd

[@Larrymarx]

Thanks for posting this video... How's Radio, are you happy with it? 73's LM

[@mrhp434]

Heard you on dstar the other day out here in Arizona

[@YO2DA]

a lot of swr and still working good

[@denelson83]

A method of making manual logging easier is to have your ham audio recorded in Audacity on the left channel, while simultaneously recording WWV on the right channel. Countries heard: 🇦🇼 🇵🇷 🇧🇿 🇩🇴 🇸🇽 🇨🇼 🇨🇦 🇻🇮 🇬🇵

[@adamdavis1900]

what type of coax is being used ?

[@HamRadioConcepts]

RG-214/U Mil-C 17 Silver coated

[@GroundControl204]

Nice work. 73

[@undefinedname1398]

Today was my first contest and I made a few contacts. I had to look up what "59K" meant.

[@BobHolowenko]

We always remember our first ;)

[@davidmerchant8245]

I like that your using QRZ as your logbook, it's so simple. I hate LOTW!!!! Too many steps....

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Yah its just so I have a list for myself that's all. I don't really care about showing off LOTW

[@javiersalazar5020]

Hello Erick, I've been able to do DX ing in 17 and even 15 meters before the contest. The big problem that we are facing is the most of radios have a scope and after taking a look at such scope on such band one would think that there is no activity and no propagation. The way that I do it is calling CQ on a band for about 15 minutes and then move to another band if no answer. In the last month I've able to work Japan every afternoon on 17 m with 100 w and a hexbeam. Not bad at all for such terrible propagations73'sJavierTI2/KC2MXHSan Jose, Costa Rica

[@johnd1616]

I want that radio🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪

[@sasidharannairvu2lbm784]

👍

[@cobrasvt347]

I’m tired of hearing the bands are dead. Like hell they are. They are dead because there’s this ordeal going around and the assumption that they are so it makes no one even try to work them. That Rosetta Stone of bands guide needs to go to hell. It’s not accurate and it’s killing radio.

[@fevo69]

Eric, I have the same combination: Icom IC-7300 and the 7100.

[@robstrous125]

Nice video! 5/9 73

[@pp8fa]

SWR 2.0 😲😲

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Yup.. No problem with 2:1 ....

[@ths3900]

59 Roger

[@JohnHenderson-ue7tj]

Stop haveing your contests around 14.230 or on 14.230 That is the sstv freq's

[@chinafloyd3831]

Cqcq d X 2727 Waylon the hand good buddy Waylon up and Waylon down

[@mattw3406]

Man, Eric before it was using a fake radio, and now you're using a fake antenna lol. Damn CB'er gear =p

[@HamRadioConcepts]

hahahahahah, yup.

[@SpectreOZ]

Everyone gets a 5-9 signal report? seems a little insincere/dishonest... at least CB'ers will tell you straight LOL 😂

[@HamRadioConcepts]

its just for their contest form.. something to say "I received your station report"

[@n8nkqrp595]

The DX forecasts are never wrong. Your contacts? Imagined. The 10 meter band is dead. Completely. All that DX the CB'ers are working? Well... those radio enthusiasts know something we hams forgot it seems. WORK 10 METERS PEOPLE. It is NOT dead for 5+ years out of 11. Kills me that CB'ers in the midwest work the west coast all the time.. using 4 watts of AMPLITUDE MODULATION and a ground plane on the roof

[@chinafloyd3831]

10 4 10 200 lololol I love u

[@eckeynecker]

I Think its boring shouting call signs,signals and Qsl over and over ,ird rather get on 11 metre or 160 top band and have a yakety yak and a bit of banter ,but each to their own .

[@silweragentum739]

Nwver in mu life i would give a 9s if its not that, totally useless, ok this is pileups thats boring. Most normal people wants real numbers, but ik its not vround wave here those antennas is sitting a meter over the ground, crazy. For 20m ok, but thats not sane and i understand why båtje !ies is going on. A really nice radio thou. I have a original 5/8 penetrator, about 6 meters just belove, and those small sticks in the top, and then 4 2.75cm earthplanes in the bottom.

[@jimeppright7862]

There are reasons "real numbers" are not used for signal reports in contests and those giving only "59" are neither abnormal nor insane.

[@barryrudolph9542]

Is anyone still communicating or is this drag race all that remains of Ham radio.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

plenty of ragchews every single minute. Just happens that some weekends here and there are contests. Still, there are bands that do not allow contesting, for those who do not want to contest but only ragchew.

[@MacsForever1]

@@HamRadioConcepts Love the drag race comment! Seriously there's a contest on practically every weekend. It's not just some weekends. Unless you're retired weekends are the only time many of us can operate. So let me get this right, when the contesters show up we're suppose to scurry off to the WARC bands? Ah no. MUF is important with the low sunspot numbers. 17 won't work but 20 will. I love using 20 in a contest. I crack up my linear and call CQ non-contest. Lots of stalwarts like me will reply as we'll stand our ground. Finally, BTW CQ DX Marathon operates on the WARC bands. 73

[@NebukedNezzer]

typical contester. Your signal report is 599, please repeat your last. Every signal is 599. why bother.

[@BobHolowenko]

Because the contest is not about who has the biggest signal, it's about making as many DX QSOs as possible...the RST is as irrelevant as your question...

[@HamRadioConcepts]

@@BobHolowenko Thank you for answering that for me. 73