I worked on Johnston Island in 1995. It’s about 2 miles long by 3/4 mile wide so kind of like being on a large aircraft carrier. I was on the JACADS project (johnston atoll chemical agent disposal system). We processed VX and GB chemical weapons. Very beautiful place in the middle of nowhere. About 800 miles from Hawaii. The island was and probably still is covered with plutonium from the forties, fifties and sixties.
Wow! I've been dying to work the Falklands. I've always considered myself a casual DX-er. The most unique one I've worked is Kyrgyzstan, EX3DX. Thanks for sharing, Dave!
Thanks. Dave. I learned some stuff. As an aside, my Fav QSL is from Radio Brazzaville post marked the morning the station was taken over by Patrice LaMumba! I’m getting back into amateur radio after 50 years absence. Nostalgic that so much is much as it was, and so much is new.
I also have a 1st edition copy of "The Complete DXer". Had it for years. While, like you mentioned, it is a little dated, the info it contains is timeless.
Great video Dave, thanks! I'm a new US general ham struggling to get my first station on the air in Asia using 35 year old equipment, a home-made loop antenna and no Elmer other than what I see on the internet. It's all very new to me and I have many problems to solve. Doing it in a foreign country makes these first steps doubly challenging, though I'm finding that hams are a friendly lot even with the language differences. Your viewers might want to join a local ham club to help them get on the air, especially in a country where they might not speak a lot of the local language. Large Asian cities often have electronics districts where a ham radio shop could give you advice on locating such clubs, as could the local equivalent of the ARRL if the country where you live has one. A separate local license or 'permission to operate' may be required as well to allow you to operate legally in your country of residence. The process to sign up for it usually isn't difficult but may take some time to process. I'm still waiting for mine to arrive in the mail. When it does, I'm looking forward to making my first DX QSOs! 73.
Very nice. I've got a "VFD", very folded dipole, in my attic. Basically it's a 1/2 wave 80m dipole that zig zags in the roof rafters. It's sharply resonant around 3.916. It's better than no antenna but not by much :o) Last year in late March I worked RC9O in Asiatic Russia and VE9CB in Canada. There was a SSB contest going and I heard RC9O booming in on 20m. I have to use a tuner to use the antenna on 20m and even then SWR runs toward the high side. On a whim I answered his CQ Contest call. To my surprise he came back to me. I was so flustered that I didn't write down my report or number. The number didn't matter because I wasn't going to be a "factor" in the contest but to be of any value he needed a number, so... still flustered... I gave him a 1 :o) He came back with a little chuckle and confirmed 1. A little later VE9CB called and I answered. He got 2 :o) I actually logged the contacts for the contest so they would get credit. It took a long time, so long that I had given up, before I received RC9O's QSL card (after sending a couple of greenstamps) but he and VE9CB sent cards. My card is on my QRZed page. 73 NE5U Mike PS- plan to put up a GAP Titan DX this year so maybe I can be more active on the air
Dave, I would like to start by saying i am a new General. I got my call sign on the 7th of Feb. I first got interested in HAM when i was 16 in high school electronics but was put off because i could not figure out the CW. over the years i touched on Ham again but never really pursued it. Recently i have been thinking about comms in case something goes wrong ( along the prepper lines) but more as a way to tie several hobbies together. I got my EE from ITT in 1996 and have been in the PCB design field since. I greatly enjoy your videos and am currently using the EXTRA class training videos to get ready for my Extra upgrade. My call sign currently is KM6IEV. Anyway while i was getting ready for my Tech test I was also researching radios and such. When i get interested in something i am like a bulldog on a bone. I go full steam ahead and damn the torpedoes. I had limited funds but one thing that stood out as an major interest was QRP so i was looking for a QRP rig that would coverall the bands. The FT-817 and the FT-857 radios stood out as the best bang for the buck since my budget was limited. Then i started looking at all the extras like antennas and power sources for portable which is another big requirement i wanted. I realized the cost was going to be out of my budget. I finally decided to look on the used classified spaces i had found and came across a perfect deal for me. It is a portable station in total for about half the price of the components. The radio is the FT-817 (new in the box) with the LDG Z817 tunner. it also comes with the MFJ 1899T multiband vertical for portable. The second antenna is the Arrow dual band UHF/VHF Satellite handheld antenna. The 3rd but not least by any means is the Mini Buddipole including the 18 foot mast and tripod and extra long whips. There is also a Wolphilink and the Satellite kit from the ARRL web site and a bunch of extra cables for linking things together including the computer. I worked out the total on all the major parts and it was about $1700 bucks. This did not include all the cables. I got the whole package for $1000. I have yet to get this all set up and on the air because the day i got the boxes in the mail i screwed up my back and hip and havent been able to do much. Its getting better and i am in hopes of getting the radio out and on the air in a week or so. I have spent a lot of time in the last couple months watching videos about the radios i was interested in. I still need to get the software components and am looking at the Ham Radio Deluxe since it will work perfectly with the FT-817. I also found a dual boot tablet i have been researching to find for several years that will also work with the software and radio for portable applications. The tablet is Chuwi HI10 Pro and dual boots to full Windows 10 and Android. I still need to finish getting this set up as well since it came at the same time as the radio. I am still looking at portable power sources like LiFePo batteries and solar panels but i will get those in the next couple months. once i work out the right one to get the biggest bang for the buck at the least weight. I have some stuff in mind but i havent completely worked out if they are all compatible and will provide the power i need for the radio and battery. My apologies for being so long winded but i really like your videos and the way you present the information. I am currently watching the ASK DAVE series and will be up to date with those by tomorrow. Please keep up the great work with these videos. I am learning tons about the hobby. I was thinking tonight i wish i lived closer so i could have you as an elmer. Thanks Dave
Dave, thanks for the info. I'd not heard of the Wolphilink before--I'll have to learn more. Sorry to hear about your back--I also suffer from back ailments and so you have my complete sympathy! Good luck getting on the air and good luck studying for your upgrade! 73, Dave
my first DX was on commercial MW,( im located in hungary for the record) i heard slovakia. it was exciting for me. i only dx commercial stations to this day because i still dont have a license. my longest distance reception was france on Long Wave and BBC world on SW
Where did you find the map of the globe with the gray line depicted? Between "cacophonous" and "Don't judge a book by it's cover", I'm seeing a new RUclips channel "The Pithy Aphorisms and Word of the Day by Dave Casler". The title is circuitous but you could work that into the show.
The map comes from DX Atlas, from a suite of software I haven't really figured out yet! But it does make for nice maps. I've always loved "cacophony" because it sounds so much like what it means! 73, Dave
@@davecasler Slowly going through most of your channel, I too wondered where you got the maps from. Only based on my region I wonder how accurate it is. For instance the Australia area shows VK 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. This leaves out VK 2 and VK3 being by population the two biggest states in Australia. FYI.
This is probably a rookie question, but since I suppose I'm still mostly a rookie I'm OK with that. At the very end (about 16:53), what exactly do you mean when you say not to 'tune up' on the DX station's frequency? Thx as always for the videos - 73 de KM4WVE.
Older radios require "tuning," meaning adjusting the output of the final amplifier while on the air. Or some want to tweak their antenna tuners. Either way, it puts a carrier right on top of the DX station, so best practice is to go off frequency by a few kHz, tune up, then go back to trying to work the DX.
I wish I had asked for a qsl card from the American I spoke with on the mir space station. he was the American to have stayed the longest on mir. although not the last.
You're a classic, man. Pure gold. Thanks for sharing the depth of your knowledge.
Dave your the best Ham I've ever met! Thank you so much for being an Elmer to many of us not fortunate to have had will have one. Cheers! 73!
Hello Darth! Thanks for your kind words. 73, Dave
I worked on Johnston Island in 1995. It’s about 2 miles long by 3/4 mile wide so kind of like being on a large aircraft carrier. I was on the JACADS project (johnston atoll chemical agent disposal system). We processed VX and GB chemical weapons. Very beautiful place in the middle of nowhere. About 800 miles from Hawaii. The island was and probably still is covered with plutonium from the forties, fifties and sixties.
What a nice, friendly, informative video. Thank you for making this.
Wow! I've been dying to work the Falklands. I've always considered myself a casual DX-er. The most unique one I've worked is Kyrgyzstan, EX3DX. Thanks for sharing, Dave!
Thanks. Dave. I learned some stuff. As an aside, my Fav QSL is from Radio Brazzaville post marked the morning the station was taken over by Patrice LaMumba! I’m getting back into amateur radio after 50 years absence. Nostalgic that so much is much as it was, and so much is new.
Welcome back into the hobby!
Always appreciate your expertise
I also have a 1st edition copy of "The Complete DXer". Had it for years. While, like you mentioned, it is a little dated, the info it contains is timeless.
Great video Dave, thanks! I'm a new US general ham struggling to get my first station on the air in Asia using 35 year old equipment, a home-made loop antenna and no Elmer other than what I see on the internet. It's all very new to me and I have many problems to solve. Doing it in a foreign country makes these first steps doubly challenging, though I'm finding that hams are a friendly lot even with the language differences. Your viewers might want to join a local ham club to help them get on the air, especially in a country where they might not speak a lot of the local language. Large Asian cities often have electronics districts where a ham radio shop could give you advice on locating such clubs, as could the local equivalent of the ARRL if the country where you live has one. A separate local license or 'permission to operate' may be required as well to allow you to operate legally in your country of residence. The process to sign up for it usually isn't difficult but may take some time to process. I'm still waiting for mine to arrive in the mail. When it does, I'm looking forward to making my first DX QSOs! 73.
Good advice! I always recommend that new hams join a local club.
Thank you for the informative video VO1TAD 73s
Very nice. I've got a "VFD", very folded dipole, in my attic. Basically it's a 1/2 wave 80m dipole that zig zags in the roof rafters. It's sharply resonant around 3.916. It's better than no antenna but not by much :o) Last year in late March I worked RC9O in Asiatic Russia and VE9CB in Canada. There was a SSB contest going and I heard RC9O booming in on 20m. I have to use a tuner to use the antenna on 20m and even then SWR runs toward the high side. On a whim I answered his CQ Contest call. To my surprise he came back to me. I was so flustered that I didn't write down my report or number. The number didn't matter because I wasn't going to be a "factor" in the contest but to be of any value he needed a number, so... still flustered... I gave him a 1 :o) He came back with a little chuckle and confirmed 1. A little later VE9CB called and I answered. He got 2 :o) I actually logged the contacts for the contest so they would get credit. It took a long time, so long that I had given up, before I received RC9O's QSL card (after sending a couple of greenstamps) but he and VE9CB sent cards. My card is on my QRZed page. 73 NE5U Mike
PS- plan to put up a GAP Titan DX this year so maybe I can be more active on the air
Dave, I would like to start by saying i am a new General. I got my call sign on the 7th of Feb. I first got interested in HAM when i was 16 in high school electronics but was put off because i could not figure out the CW. over the years i touched on Ham again but never really pursued it. Recently i have been thinking about comms in case something goes wrong ( along the prepper lines) but more as a way to tie several hobbies together. I got my EE from ITT in 1996 and have been in the PCB design field since.
I greatly enjoy your videos and am currently using the EXTRA class training videos to get ready for my Extra upgrade. My call sign currently is KM6IEV.
Anyway while i was getting ready for my Tech test I was also researching radios and such. When i get interested in something i am like a bulldog on a bone. I go full steam ahead and damn the torpedoes. I had limited funds but one thing that stood out as an major interest was QRP so i was looking for a QRP rig that would coverall the bands.
The FT-817 and the FT-857 radios stood out as the best bang for the buck since my budget was limited. Then i started looking at all the extras like antennas and power sources for portable which is another big requirement i wanted. I realized the cost was going to be out of my budget.
I finally decided to look on the used classified spaces i had found and came across a perfect deal for me. It is a portable station in total for about half the price of the components. The radio is the FT-817 (new in the box) with the LDG Z817 tunner. it also comes with the MFJ 1899T multiband vertical for portable. The second antenna is the Arrow dual band UHF/VHF Satellite handheld antenna. The 3rd but not least by any means is the Mini Buddipole including the 18 foot mast and tripod and extra long whips.
There is also a Wolphilink and the Satellite kit from the ARRL web site and a bunch of extra cables for linking things together including the computer. I worked out the total on all the major parts and it was about $1700 bucks. This did not include all the cables. I got the whole package for $1000.
I have yet to get this all set up and on the air because the day i got the boxes in the mail i screwed up my back and hip and havent been able to do much. Its getting better and i am in hopes of getting the radio out and on the air in a week or so. I have spent a lot of time in the last couple months watching videos about the radios i was interested in. I still need to get the software components and am looking at the Ham Radio Deluxe since it will work perfectly with the FT-817.
I also found a dual boot tablet i have been researching to find for several years that will also work with the software and radio for portable applications. The tablet is Chuwi HI10 Pro and dual boots to full Windows 10 and Android. I still need to finish getting this set up as well since it came at the same time as the radio.
I am still looking at portable power sources like LiFePo batteries and solar panels but i will get those in the next couple months. once i work out the right one to get the biggest bang for the buck at the least weight. I have some stuff in mind but i havent completely worked out if they are all compatible and will provide the power i need for the radio and battery.
My apologies for being so long winded but i really like your videos and the way you present the information. I am currently watching the ASK DAVE series and will be up to date with those by tomorrow. Please keep up the great work with these videos. I am learning tons about the hobby. I was thinking tonight i wish i lived closer so i could have you as an elmer.
Thanks
Dave
Dave, thanks for the info. I'd not heard of the Wolphilink before--I'll have to learn more. Sorry to hear about your back--I also suffer from back ailments and so you have my complete sympathy! Good luck getting on the air and good luck studying for your upgrade! 73, Dave
Thanks for your help, Dave. I passed the extra class exam.
You're welcome! Congratulations on your upgrade!
I enjoyed your video dave, tq. could you make video about pile up technic
well done Dave great film..regards from the UK
Always a pleasure.
LOL I was reading The Complete DX'er earlier today. Great book I might add.
my first DX was on commercial MW,( im located in hungary for the record) i heard slovakia. it was exciting for me. i only dx commercial stations to this day because i still dont have a license. my longest distance reception was france on Long Wave and BBC world on SW
My first DX (SWL) was RTI on 49m, though I didn't understand anything because it was all in Chinese.
A pleasure Dave, as always!!! Thanks!!!
Thank you
Thanks, Dave! 73!
Great video!
Another great video.
I was stationed at JI in '74.
That was...let's see...how many years ago? 73
Where did you find the map of the globe with the gray line depicted? Between "cacophonous" and "Don't judge a book by it's cover", I'm seeing a new RUclips channel "The Pithy Aphorisms and Word of the Day by Dave Casler". The title is circuitous but you could work that into the show.
The map comes from DX Atlas, from a suite of software I haven't really figured out yet! But it does make for nice maps. I've always loved "cacophony" because it sounds so much like what it means! 73, Dave
@@davecasler Slowly going through most of your channel, I too wondered where you got the maps from. Only based on my region I wonder how accurate it is. For instance the Australia area shows VK 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. This leaves out VK 2 and VK3 being by population the two biggest states in Australia. FYI.
This is probably a rookie question, but since I suppose I'm still mostly a rookie I'm OK with that. At the very end (about 16:53), what exactly do you mean when you say not to 'tune up' on the DX station's frequency? Thx as always for the videos - 73 de KM4WVE.
Older radios require "tuning," meaning adjusting the output of the final amplifier while on the air. Or some want to tweak their antenna tuners. Either way, it puts a carrier right on top of the DX station, so best practice is to go off frequency by a few kHz, tune up, then go back to trying to work the DX.
Oh, geez. People do that??? Somebody needs to put together an "inconsiderate" operator's guide. :-D
I dont need a DX, as I have the DXCC-400.
You need any more ?
DX DX DX
What does QRZED mean? I have heard this a lot in youtube videos.
Disregard. I heard your explanation
I wish I had asked for a qsl card from the American I spoke with on the mir space station. he was the American to have stayed the longest on mir. although not the last.
Can u use index cards for qsls
You can use anything. The postcard size is the most traditional size.
cheers Dave great video from Andy 2e0ree