Last evening I had a very nice chat with JA1QML http://www.qrz.com/callsign/ja1qml and JE4QMK and the evening before, JA4NYY.
The JA stations enjoy contacts into the US. There is a 14 hour time zone difference. Also the JA's do not use reflectors. Just call sign route (put their call sign in the UR of your radio). Very important - SPEAK SLOWLY. English is not the first language for many people and speaking slowly and using different adjectives, ie., little and small, or close and nearby, helps in understanding a foreign language. Brush up on kilometers and centigrade, too. Also be sure and participate in John KE5C's Dstar Radio Poll - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dstar_digital/polls It is also very nice to meet DSTAR friends on the HF bandsnow that the sunspot activity is on the rise. Many JA stations on 17M in the afternoon here in the US. 73, steve nu5d
