DX RXThe Doctor of DX prescribes the |  |
DX RXThe Doctor of DX prescribes the | |
1) This year I’ll upgrade at least one step.
I’m quite aware of the fact that the FCC’s
renovation of the license structure and the
attendant “grandfathering” that is being
proposed to go with it may result in some
folks out there gaining additional privileges
without lifting a finger or studying a “whit”.
But this is more about personal resolve to
improve, to discipline ourselves to work at it
and make the gains through our own efforts.
If you’re an Extra Class Licensee already,
perhaps you could get involved in a facet of
the hobby previously ignored. For my part,
I’m going to begin exploring the satellites.
2) This year I’ll operate for at least four
hours in at least one contest prior to Field
Day.
Operating in contests is just like
weightlifting - the more you do it the more
your “fitness” (or skillset) is improved. And
by the time Field Day rolls around, who
knows, perhaps you’ll want to operate that
event as well.
3) This year I’ll check into one of our
emergency nets at least once.
If you are not familiar with times and schedules, just
drop an e-mail to Don, KA1GOZ. He will
be happy to provide you with all the
information you need. Better yet, check in
with Don each Tuesday night at 8 PM on the
WW1Y Repeater at 147.045 MHz.
4) This year I will check into and operate
with at least one New Hampshire traffic
net for one evening.
Traffic Handling is a
major facet of our hobby. To learn more
about how traffic nets operate and why they
are necessary in this age of e-mail, be sure
and attend the February meeting, where Jim,
N1NH, will present a talk on the subject.
5) This year I will spend at least one hour
listening to a DX pileup to learn how NOT
to operate.
Both Ed, K2TE, and I have
lectured on the subject till we’re blue in the
face. Enough said.
6) This year I will refurbish my antenna
farm and establish a source of emergency
power.
As a result of the big ice storm two
years ago, I finally got the emergency
power. This spring the antenna farm gets
revamped. I know...I know, I’ve been
saying that for two years now. But I’m
working at it.
7) This year I will enhance my station’s
flexibility by setting up to operate on a
new band or a new mode.
Today, with the
new software for PC sound cards, there is no
reason for anyone (other than the fact that
you may not have a computer) not to be able
to work the digital modes. Or how about
getting active on 6 Meters, or some other
band? It has been 20+ years since I operated
on 6 Meters, and I’m about to take the
plunge again.
8) This year I will give one hour of my
free time per month to the needs of the
club.
Twelve hours during a year is not
much to give back to a club which works so
hard to serve us all. Perhaps you might
consider “lending a hand” to some of the
folks who already give far more hours per
year than that. Ask around - it’s guaranteed
that someone will “snap you up”. And we
can always use Elmers, instructors, writers
for the newsletter, Field Day volunteers, etc.