You're preachin to da choir son. Fine job though.
K1N was awful for DQRM, lids and untrained idiots. 3G0ZC the next week
wasn't quite as bad, nor as rare. E30FB is rough here on the West Coast
due to lack of signal strength, conditions and the same crowds. You
can't hear, what isn't there.
I see that problem cause as twofold: Lack of noobs seeking an Elmer for
proper training NOT covered adequately in the classes or tests; Lack of
folks willing to become an Elmer to guide the newcomers. That's WAY off
topic for here.
Putting in perspective and back on topic; the P3 was almost totally
useless for K1N, except to watch and measure the height and width of the
pileup (there WERE no holes to utilize in that pack). What you said is
very true, the subreceiver helped, about as much because of the reasons
you stated too. Together however, is still a deadly combination, by
watching the (group of) signal(s) on the P3 that the DX is working,
quickly tuning the receiver to the most likely being worked and
confirming by ear, they allowed me to gain 13 Q's with K1N on a low
dipole and some power (it's all in the DX pattern recognition, if
they're not purposely avoiding a pattern). The other operating style
was simply work the edges of the pileup, don't be in the middle.
P3 and KRX3 in 'normal' DX collecting... fish:barrel. They are the sole
reason I have 250 'entities' in the log over the last couple years.
When I'm not traveling, I DX (sometimes I *am* the DX). Oh yes, the
KPA500 helps, a LOT since I'm on a sole dipole.
I don't see things improving in the ranks, so anyone looking at the
purchase of the K Line should simply keep the budget open ended and
collect everything as they can. P3 first (plan on the SVGA card too,
your eyes will never improve), then a KRX3, then flesh it out with more.
Let's look at your budget too. The P3/SVGA combo costs versus the KRX3
with filters (mine are all filled the same in both, for diversity and to
minimize what my failing ears are subjected to when listening in two
places). Add in that you'll have to replace the Synth card when you add
the KRX3 (or obtain two used ones, storing the new one for later, but
why) and I suspect that financially as well, the P3/SVGA will be more
reachable first.
That's my best reasoning for the P3 and why it should be first. It's the
better of the two choices and it's more financially obtainable.
Whatever you choose, good luck and good hunting.
Rick wa6nhc
On 3/9/2015 6:02 PM, Randy Farmer wrote:
I would agree that the P3 should probably take priority over the
Subreceiver for a new buy, mostly due to the many different things it
can do for you. But... my experience this weekend trying to work E30FB
on 20 CW sure made me glad I had the Sub. I would never have worked
them using just the scope.
Problem is, it seems the way people try to work DX these days makes it
virtually impossible to depend on a visual cue to know who's being
worked by the DX if there's a pileup of any size at all. E30FB had the
pile spread out for better than 20 kHz, and the scope showed a
constant morass of signals all across the entire span. Aside from the
obliviots who continually send their call whether the DX is listening
or not, there are many who apparently see nothing wrong with coming
back or continuing to call when the DX operator replies to a call that
obviously isn't theirs. Every time E30FB would answer a complete call
there were dozens of perfectly timed signals that jumped up all across
the extent of the pileup. Luckily, using the second receiver I managed
to stumble on to one that turned out to actually be the guy he was
working. A minute or two of careful listening around that frequency
revealed the operator's tuning pattern, and after just a couple of
calls I was in the log too.
If you really want to work rare DX these days you're going to NEED the
second receiver. This isn't due to any problems with the capabilities
of the P3 -- it's the result of operating practices that continue to
deteriorate. You'll need all the tools you can get and all the cunning
you can muster to work DX through the Doofus curtain these days.
73...
Randy, W8FN
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