DX University™ DXing Guide is an on-line version of the DX University classroom instructional sessions. It will contain PowerPoint versions of previous DXU presentations, as well as addition information - suggestions, commentary and even opinions about how to work DX with an emphasis on efficiency and avoiding the disruption caused by uninformed operators.

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 How to Work a Rare DX Station

A Step-By-Step Guide

1.     Find the DX station – Don’t transmit yet! Can you copy the DX station? How well? If the station is weak, it might be better to wait for better conditions. This is a judgement call: If you know the station will be on for some time, wait. If he might go QRT very soon, you may as well call.

2.     Find the stations the DX operator is working Don’t transmit yet! Is there a pileup? Where is it? From [where] to [where]? Who is he working? Your area? Another continent? Is he asking for a specific geographic area? Yours? Follow his instructions exactly.

3.     Find the station he’s working. Find a relatively clear frequency near that station and call when the DX op solicits calls. (What is a “solicitation”? a) When he says “QRZ?”b) When he says “QSL TU.” c) When he sends his callsign. d) When he sends “UP.”)

4.     Send you callsign ONCE quickly and listen. No reply? Send your callsign again quickly and listen. If you callsign is long, and/or you send slowly, send your callsign once and listen a bit longer. You must try to avoid calling while the DX station is transmitting.

5.     No luck? Listen again for the DX station to solicit for calls. Call again in the same manner (4).

6.     If you continue this process without success, you should re-evaluate your chances. Spend a bit of time in further studying the pileup. Perhaps the DX op is listening at the edges of the pileup. Evidence? If so, pick a frequency and concentrate there for a while.