One of the Basis and Purposes of Amateur Radio as described in Part 97 of the FCC rules is: "(e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill." In other words, we are to make friends with other Amateur Radio Delegates around the world via Communicating on Amateur Radio, or plainly put, WORK DX. Contrary to some of my high strung "Ham Radio is for Emergency Service Only" friends, it's right there in the same section as (a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications. Therefore, WORKING DX as an Amateur Radio Operator is an equally emphasized responsibility as being a RACES member. So There.

I find working Amateur Radio DX an incredible lesson in social studies and geography or maybe better said, Cultural Studies. How many of you can tell me where Belarus is located? Well not only can a DXer tell you where Belarus is but also he/she can pull out a few post cards from friends they met on the air from Belarus. Often we share a few nice words while in contact with Ham Radio Operators from other countries making U.S. citizens less the Imperialist some others in foreign countries might think of us as.

Other than the political benefits of being a DXer, a DXer needs to have a grasp on the science of radio propagation. Just what does that SFI, K and A index mean? What is MUF? What is the grey line? Those are just some of the mysteries we hope to reveal here in the DX handbook and hopefully in a language somebody other than a MIT professor can understand.

Now many a DXer has a very impressive radio station at their home QTH. I know of DXers who have invested thousands of green stamps (dollars) in there home stations. While I also have friends that might have a simple thirty year old FT-101E transceiver along with a simple inverted vee antenna. So the point is, one doesn't need stacked mono-banders, high powered amplifiers and $7k+ transceivers to work DX (but it doesn't hurt). For the first time in my Ham life I own a new store bought HF transceiver. My home station consist of a Yaesu FT-2000, an Ameritron AL-811H amplifier and a C3SS Force 12 beam antenna on a U.S. Tower model MA-40.

Support the Lone Star DX Association

*Pay your dues or join for one year via PAYPAL. Click the button below:

Amateur Radio - Ham Radio - Short wave Radio - Ham Radio Antennas - QSL Cards - QSL Card Printing - radio hams - ham radio antennas - ham radio suppliers - ham radio test - printing