If you think that heavy, expensive receivers and antennas of legendary
length are necessary for serious DXpedition fun, think again! If you are
fortunate enough to live near the ocean coasts, there is a new DXing option
for
individuals or groups which offers the ultimate in freedom and fun: chasing
TP's
or TA's with stock or hot-rodded ULR's.
To be sure, chasing transoceanic DX with these pocket radios is a
radical change from deploying the ultimate in advanced gear, but certain of us
have discovered that the fun and excitement level goes way up along with the
challenge level! And... the challenge level can even be adjusted according to
the DXer's desires. Want more sensitivity? It's being done now in exciting
antenna transplants. Need more selectivity? Narrow filter mods are extremely
popular. Want to couple up effective external antennas? That's being done
also.
A test DXpedition to Grayland, Washington today included three
"hot-rodded" and one stock ULR, for a total weight of under two pounds. The
audio
recorders added a few more ounces, as did a few accessories. The only somewhat
"heavy" item was an ICF-2010 "spotting" portable-- which outweighed
everything else combined. The total cost of this overachieving lightweight
group?
About $500, including the ICF-2010.
This thrilling group was chasing TP-DX all night long, in what turned
out to be rather modest propagation. Despite this, 8 TP's from Japan, South
Korea, North Korea and China were heard, and the tiny radios had heterodynes
on most of the other 9 kHz splits. The ICF-2010 was used only to check
carrier levels on SSB, and it was helpful for watching propagation shifts.
But in
the ultimate sensitivity test, a very weak TP (CRI-963 in China) was
received with audio on the modified SRF-39FP (with a 6.25" antenna
transplant), and
the ICF-2010 had only a heterodyne. North Korea-653 was the same story.
Both were tough catches, but the modified ULR's proved they could not only
compete, but compete and succeed.
If this idea of an ultra-exciting DXpedition appeals to you, why not
invest a little pocket change in some exciting pocket radios, consider some
effective modifications, and go try your luck? You have nothing to lose but
your DX boredom, as you discover that these ultra light radios pack an ultra
heavy DX punch.
73, Gary DeBock
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