Here's an interesting tip from Wayne Burdick on using the KX3's dual watch feature to work DX:
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Often a DX station will say "up 2" (or just "up") in order to move
callers away from his own frequency. This allows everyone to still
hear the DX station at all times despite dozens of stations calling.
Traditionally, this is accomplished using SPLIT. On a K3 or KX3, you'd
set VFO A to the DX station's frequency, then set VFO B somewhere
above this, preferably in a clear spot. When you hit the key in SPLIT
mode, the rig transmits on VFO B. You can use the "REV" switch
function periodically to listen on VFO B's frequency (swapping A and
B), and while REV is held down, adjust the VFO A knob to hunt for a
better spot to call.
The KX3 (or a K3 equipped with a sub receiver) provides a simpler
alternative that doesn't necessarily require the use of SPLIT: dual
watch. This also lets you hear both the DX station and the pileup at
the same time, avoiding the need to REVerse the VFOs periodically.
Here's an example:
1. Having found a DX station with VFO A, tap the "A>B" switch twice so
that VFO B is on the same frequency.
2. Turn on dual watch by setting MENU
UAL RX to AUTO. You'll need
headphones or dual external speakers; VFO A will be in the left audio
channel, and VFO B in the right. (The K3 provides a number of
variations on this; refer to the K3 owner's manual.)
3. Move VFO A up about 2 kHz (or the DX station's requested offset).
There you may encounter a pileup. Find a clear spot in which to
transmit, and call the DX station after he signs with the previous
station or calls CQ.
Three additional tips:
- You may have a better chance of working the DX station if you call
near the frequency of the station who worked him last. This is one of
the best aspects of dual watch: since you're listening to the pileup
in the right audio channel, you may hear the other stations being
worked, and you can "piggy-back" onto their frequency. A really
skilled operator can actually determine how the DX station is moving
their own receive VFO just by listening to the pattern of stations
worked. You can then move your own VFO to match, anticipating where
the DX station will be listening next.
- SSB DX stations may listen across a wider range of frequencies,
possibly going beyond the present +/- 15 kHz maximum spacing between
VFOs allowed by the KX3's dual watch function. In this case you might
need to use the SPLIT method instead. (The K3 doesn't share this
limitation--its sub receiver can be tuned any distance from the main
receiver, and can even use different antennas for the two.)
- If you turn dual watch on/off frequently, you might want to assign
the DUAL RX menu entry to PF1 or PF2 as explained on page 19 of the
owner's manual. Once you've done this, accessing the programmable
function will turn dual watch on/off immediately without the need to
go into the menu.
73,
Wayne
N6KR
--------------------------
Often a DX station will say "up 2" (or just "up") in order to move
callers away from his own frequency. This allows everyone to still
hear the DX station at all times despite dozens of stations calling.
Traditionally, this is accomplished using SPLIT. On a K3 or KX3, you'd
set VFO A to the DX station's frequency, then set VFO B somewhere
above this, preferably in a clear spot. When you hit the key in SPLIT
mode, the rig transmits on VFO B. You can use the "REV" switch
function periodically to listen on VFO B's frequency (swapping A and
B), and while REV is held down, adjust the VFO A knob to hunt for a
better spot to call.
The KX3 (or a K3 equipped with a sub receiver) provides a simpler
alternative that doesn't necessarily require the use of SPLIT: dual
watch. This also lets you hear both the DX station and the pileup at
the same time, avoiding the need to REVerse the VFOs periodically.
Here's an example:
1. Having found a DX station with VFO A, tap the "A>B" switch twice so
that VFO B is on the same frequency.
2. Turn on dual watch by setting MENU
UAL RX to AUTO. You'll need headphones or dual external speakers; VFO A will be in the left audio
channel, and VFO B in the right. (The K3 provides a number of
variations on this; refer to the K3 owner's manual.)
3. Move VFO A up about 2 kHz (or the DX station's requested offset).
There you may encounter a pileup. Find a clear spot in which to
transmit, and call the DX station after he signs with the previous
station or calls CQ.
Three additional tips:
- You may have a better chance of working the DX station if you call
near the frequency of the station who worked him last. This is one of
the best aspects of dual watch: since you're listening to the pileup
in the right audio channel, you may hear the other stations being
worked, and you can "piggy-back" onto their frequency. A really
skilled operator can actually determine how the DX station is moving
their own receive VFO just by listening to the pattern of stations
worked. You can then move your own VFO to match, anticipating where
the DX station will be listening next.
- SSB DX stations may listen across a wider range of frequencies,
possibly going beyond the present +/- 15 kHz maximum spacing between
VFOs allowed by the KX3's dual watch function. In this case you might
need to use the SPLIT method instead. (The K3 doesn't share this
limitation--its sub receiver can be tuned any distance from the main
receiver, and can even use different antennas for the two.)
- If you turn dual watch on/off frequently, you might want to assign
the DUAL RX menu entry to PF1 or PF2 as explained on page 19 of the
owner's manual. Once you've done this, accessing the programmable
function will turn dual watch on/off immediately without the need to
go into the menu.
73,
Wayne
N6KR
