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How to Work a DXpedition Intelligently

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Working a DXpedtion is mainly a question of calling at the right time on the right frequency. DX Monitor can help you to do this in a number of ways. Follow these steps and ZL8X will be in your log in no time.

Step 1

Check the Propagation forecast from your exact QTH to the DXpedition Station so you can be on when propagation peaks.

propagation chart
Propagation from Europe to K5D

DX Monitor creates a simple graphic propagation forecast based on your antennas and power level and calculated by VOACAP using the latest smoothed sunspot number information. Use this chart to choose your operating times. It would be a good idea to take the afternoon off work.

Step 2

Look at the operating history of the DXpedition so you can hear them before the pileup starts.

K5D activity
K5D Activity by Frequency - the first 3 days

The scatter chart of activity shows you the time that the DX station operates daily on each band. Be there before the first spot appears to have a better chance of getting through.

Step 3

Know the exact frequencies that they are likely to use. The frequencies they have been heard on.

K5D history
K5D Spot History sorted by Frequency

The History Window sorted by frequency shows their main operating frequency and the comments often show the QSX split frequency that made it through. DX Monitor can maintain a separate window that only shows the DXpedition spots while the main window shows all the DX activity.

Step 4

Map the spots by band to see who is hearing the DXpedition. You can immediately see if there have been any spots from your part of the world.

K5D map
K5D Spot pattern

Step 5

Sort recent spots by distance from your QTH to the spotters to see what bands have been working from your part of the world.

K5D map
K5D Sorted by Distance to Spotter

Step 6

Use the twitter feature to send alerts to your phone by SMS message to alert you to activity on the difficult bands and modes.


DX Spots from DX Monitor on Twitter

You can monitor spots and summaries on one or more #DX channels, or you can set up a private twitter channel to send the alerts from your home computer to your own cell phone.


DX Monitor is a standalone Windows program which monitors the DX announcements available on the internet at DX Summit, HB9DRV and connections to one or more local and international DX Cluster Telnet Servers.

New DX spots are displayed in the main window with user selectable bands, fonts, colors, and highlighting of alerts and local spotters. A band map tracks the current stations on the air by frequency. Maps show the openings with buttons to select bands and times.

The predicted signal strength of the spotted station at your QTH can be displayed with each spot. A 24 hour propagation prediction by band takes only one click.

DX Monitor builds a database of DX Spots, Announcements, and WWV information and includes many tools which can be used by DXers to improve their chances of working a new country.


Click for Screen shots and Introduction


DX Monitor Main Window


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Read the DX Monitor Manual

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DX Monitor is shareware. Try it free for 30 days. If you like it, buy now.


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Group members discuss new features and how to benefit the most from DX Monitor. Note that the Yahoo Group is ending and new discussions are on Groups.io

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