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DX
Code For DXpeditions
Introduction
This
DXpeditioners’ Code is to help maximize the
fun for all participants. As the DX operator,
you play a critical role in pileups: you are
"in charge”. Dealing with an unruly pileup of
discourteous operators who have forgotten about
ethical behavior is NOT fun. So it makes sense
to plan and train ahead of time on how best
to deal with the situation
Good
operators at the DX end and courteous behavior
at the other end of the QSO can greatly increase
the total number of QSOs logged. It has been
demonstrated that pileups can be kept reasonably
under control if the DX operator follows certain
‘rules’. Luckily, some top operators have given
us the benefit of their experience. Please peruse
these suggestions.
It
is also important that you tell the thousands
of hams who want a QSO that you expect them
to operate ethically in accordance with the
DX Code of Conduct. If your DXpedition
has a website or just a page at QRZ.com, please
consider posting a notice on your website.
As
a starter, consider posting our mascot with
a link to this site. You may be as creative
as you like. You might consider posting the
Code itself on your website, just copy and paste
. Whatever suits you. For further assistance,
click here. 
For an example of how
this might look, click here.
We
also hope that you will tell us that you have
linked to us so and we can publish your DXpedition
and website at this site. More
important, we hope that this initiative will
play a positive role in making sure that
you enjoy your trip.
NOTE:
This page is organized as a Table of Contents.
Click on each topic to go to a section of the
document that explains it further. Some sections
have links to a third page with even more details
and links to various resources we think may
help. Enjoy!
Do
your Homework
click on item for more information
Keep
the DX community informed
Check
TX frequency AND the RX range before starting
up
You
are the Boss and You are in Charge.
Announce
Your Callsign Frequently
Use
Split Operation
Establish
and Maintain a Rhythm
Work
and log dupes, it’s quicker
Give
QSY/QRT information before leaving the pile-up
Establish
a “Friendship” with the Pileup
Avoid
working by numbers, continents are OK
Repeat
corrected callsigns
so everyone is sure of being safely logged
Be
a role model
Here is what we mean in more detail.
At
the end of some sections click on  to
see the links to additional material.
Click
on 
to return to the top of this page.
Do
your homework
Edison
famously said, "Genius is one percent inspiration
and ninety-nine percent perspiration. In DXpeditioning,
success is ninety percent preparation.
Before traveling read "DXpeditioning
Basics ” by N7NG.This
freely available publication
is a must read for every DXpeditioner. Another
good resource is "DX-peditioning
Behind the Scenes" by
Neville Cheadle, G3NUG & Steve Telenius-Lowe,
G4JVG. You can order directly from the author
by clicking on the title.
Study
the propagation before you travel. There are
three important population centers in the world:
Europe, North America and Asia . From wherever
you are, two are likely to be easy. The third
one is the most difficult to work from your
destination location so it becomes your “target
area.” Make sure that you work the target area
any time any band is open to that area.
Practice
your QSO technique. Pick out the weaker stations.
Provide training to your less-experienced operators
in the finer points of both SSB and CW operating.
The
DX community appreciates a well organized website,
some of which are works of art. If your operation
is smaller and you do not plan to have a "full
service" website, at least set up a QRZ.com
page that states your location, dates of operation,
and QSL information. Even with a complete website,
a QRZ.com page with a link to your main website
makes you easier to find.
Check
TX frequency AND the RX range before starting
up
Always
check for a clear TX frequency and find a clear
RX range before starting up on a band. As a
DXpeditioner, you have powerful tools to control
the frequencies you use. If you have previously
announced your frequencies, try to stick with
them. However, conditions might demand a change.
You may have to select
your pileup RX place in a spot other than the
busiest part of the band
In
order to maintain control of the pileup you
must operate in such a manner as to make control
possible. It is easy to lose control of a pileup,
and if you do, it may be your fault. Maintain
good QSO mechanics. Use the same general pattern
for every QSO. Select a callsign from the pile
and stay with it until a satisfactory QSO results.
If it is not possible to finish a QSO, solicit
QSOs again. NEVER select another callsign without
soliciting QSOs – QRZ, CQ, etc.
Issue
clear instructions to the pileup and stick to
them – always. For example, if you catch only
part of someone’s call and give the partial
out, do not work anyone else until you have
completed with that station. If you call “NO
EU,” DO NOT work any European callers. Ignore
rude callers. Breaking your own rules just creates
chaos. Stay in charge, but never shout to nor
lecture the crowd.
Announce
Your Callsign Frequently, like (almost) every
QSO
You should give you callsign often enough so
that no one has to ask. If
you don't give your call often enough, some
callers will just log whatever callsign was
last spotted on a DXcluster (right or wrong)
and some will ask for your call. That wastes
time, interrupts your flow, and energizes the
ever present frequency cops. Once per
QSO is not too often.
If
you are blessed with a real long callsign such
as SV9/ON4ZZZZ/P, that's a lot to mention after
every QSO so just be alert. If you hear someone
asking “QRZ” or “What’s the DX?” on your TX
frequency, you have waited too long.
Use
Split Operation
Assuming
that you have gone to some relatively rare entity,
you can start out by assuming that you will
be dealing with a pileup. Don't wait until you
have a large number of callers. Start out by
operating split immediately. As soon as you
are spotted on a DXcluster, the whole world
will descend on you and you might as well be
ready.
Establish
and Maintain a Rhythm
Standardize
your transmitted messages as much as possible.
For instance send a QSL or TU message at the
end of every QSO and maintain a consistent pattern
to help callers synchronize with you. That reduces
the amount of out-of-turn calling. This is a
well established technique for controlling a
pileup. It gives the callers solid guidance
in determining when and when not to call.
Work
and log dupes: it is quicker than telling the
duplicate callers that they are dupes, and it
may be that they were unsure of a previous QSO.
Use your website to announce your policy on
duplicates, for example “Please work us only
once on each band/mode slot to give others a
chance for a new one.”
When
you are about to leave the pileup, say what
you are doing. Announce if you will QSY to another
band/mode, perhaps giving out your new TX frequency.
If you are going QRT for a while, give out your
QSL information and website address. Don’t say,
“QRX 5” unless you definitely are going to come
back within 5 minutes as this just extends the
band pollution unnecessarily.
if
you don’t know how long you will be, it is better
to say, “QRT,” but then come back on later when
you are ready. When you get tired, slow down
and take extra care over accuracy. If you start
making too many mistakes, take a break and maybe
a short sleep, whatever suits your body’s natural
rhythm.
This
is called the conversational style of pileup
operating. This is perhaps one step beyond being
friendly and not lecturing. It helps control
the nature of the situation. Rather than have
a group of antagonistic hounds, you put the
callers at ease, and in the end give
them confidence that you are fully interested
in making a QSO with each of them.
This style of operating is NOT a substitute
for poor operating procedure,
however.
Also
remember the many operators who are not regular
CW operators. They want a QSO too but
may be able to copy code at, say, 20 wpm. DXpedition
operators are sometimes whizzing along at 40
wpm. So keep an ear out for the guy who is calling
at 20 wpm and respond to him at a speed he can
copy easily. You will make another grateful
friend.
Also
remember that many operators have 100 watts
and wire antennas. After the big guns all have
their QSOs, work these guys because they are
the backbone of the amateur radio community.
Avoid
working by numbers, continents are OK
When
possible, try to avoid subdividing a pileup
by numbers. Depending on propagation, try working
a whole continent or several continents, or
NOT working a particular continent. At times
only working by numbers will work, however.
Whatever method you choose, be sure to inform
the pileup after every QSO.
Don't
break your own rule by working your pals in
NA if you are asking for "Eu."
Repeat
corrected callsigns so everyone is sure of being
correctly logged
A
valid QSO is when both stations have copied
content and have logged it correctly. It is
unrealistic to think that you will copy 100%
of all callsigns the first time. On CW do not
send a “question mark,” as in “ABC?” when returning
to a partial callsign. For some obscure reason
many (undisciplined) pileup callers take a 'question
mark' as the sign to start transmitting again,
although the partial callsign does not resemble
their callsign.
So
when you respond to a call with a partial as
“ABC 5nn” and W5ABC responds, “W5ABC W5ABC 5nn
TU,” it is proper that you respond “W5ABC QSL
TU” That way W5ABC knows he is in the log and
does not have to call again later to make sure.
If
you made a mistake with someone’s call, he may
keep calling you. Repeat his call or work them
again, using “TU”, “QSL”, “CFM” or “You’re in
the log” to let them know for sure that they
are safely logged. This is even more important
if you do not have an online log with daily
updates.
Be
a role model
As
a DXpeditioner, you are helping to set the ethical
and operating standards for other DXpeditions.
Be professional and courteous at all times.
Remember, you are on a global stage, an ambassador
for amateur radio. With power comes responsibility.
Don’t
just work the loudest callers. Try extra hard
to pick out weaker signals, especially after
the first few days of your DXpedition. They
may be DX or QRPers or just guys with 100 watts
and wire antennas, typical home stations who
will really appreciate the QSOs. This is the
mark of exceptional DXpeditioners.
As
you return home, think about what you have experienced
and write some notes to include in your write-ups
about the DXpedition. Oh and by the way, if
you have things you would like to contribute
to the DX codes, please contact
the authors. We welcome your input.
Conclusion
A
number of people contributed to this document.
It is thus a compendium of the work of others,
here presented in a format that hopefully has
included the best of what experienced DXpeditioners
have had to say about this topic.
In
the end, if DXpeditioners are better prepared,
insist on good operating behavior from those calling
them, and if those at the other end adhere to
the DX Code of Conduct, everyone will have more
fun. And that’s what it’s about.
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If you wish to have your DXpedition's
website listed on our website, please send us
an e-mail with the information.
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