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June 13, 1979 24-79
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NIUE/TONGA Commencing early in July, a team out of New Zealand will be working
several of the South Pacific stops, their plans including 5W1-Western Samoa, A35-
Tonga and ZK2-Niue. The group includes ZL1BCG, Ian Ridpath out of Auckland, ZL1ALE
Aola Johnston of Papakura and ZL1AMN, Dave Johnston, also of Papakura.
The group expects to open on July 7th from 5W1-Western Samoa, then move on to open
from ZK2-Niue where they will be active to July 20th. ZL1ALE and ZL1AMN will continue
on to Tonga to sign A35 from their arrival to July 25th.
Aola, the XYL in the group will be looking to supply YL contacts from all three
stops. ZL1BCG should be recognized by many DXers, he in the past signed KX6ZZ,
VR4AZ, 3D2DD, VK2BZM/VK9 from Norfolk, ZK1DD, and VE3EZM/C21. Dave Johnston, ZL1AMN
was one of the operators on the last Kermedec operation when ZL1AA/K was signed.
The frequencies to watch will be:
CW: 3505kHz 7005kHz 14020kHz 21020kHz 28020kHz
SSB: 3750kHz 7095kHz 14195kHz 21295kHz 28495kHz
They will also be trying One-Sixty, the frequencies will depend on what might be
permitted under local regulations. On the c.w. and SSB frequencies, the usual
listening areas will be around 20kHz up the band. If there should develop need for
alternate frequencies, they say to watch 3850kHz/14280kHz/21380kHz and 28595kHz.
Watch the QSL information. It is not the same for all the stops.
For Niue, the W/K/Ves QSL to: Canadian DX Assn
Box 717 Station Q
Toronto, ONTARIO M4T 2N7
All others and for all other
Operations, QSL to: ISLANDS DX-PEDITION
P.O. Box 263
Papakura, New Zealand
The group will also be found on various DX nets and generally will stick around as
long as the directions of the Net Controls are observed. Efforts to by-pass the Net
Control or to fail to follow Net Procedure will probably result in some QSYing. In
other words, listen to the Net Control and follow their directions.
ZL1ALE and ZL1AMN will also appear on the YL-SSB System at 14332kHz at times,
possibly on both the regular sessions and the evening sessions.
The callsigns may be available before their departure. The itinerary is firm, the
call-signs a question. The planning has been helped by 5W1AU, A35WL, ZK2AE and
ZL1BKX. The Canadian DX-Association is sponsoring the effort in part and air travel
arrangements have been made with the Polynesian Airlines.
MANIHIKI On the plans of the ZLs for ZK1HI-Manihiki operations early in June, these
have been slid back a month and are now aimed at the middle of July.
There is also an effort out of the Mid-West also looking for some action in the South
Pacific, this starting in August with the Southern Cooks, YJ8 New Hebrides, FK8 New
Caledonia, KS6-American Samoa, 3D2 Fiji, A35 Tonga, ZK2 Niue and 5W1 Western Samoa
being possibilities. Actually, their plans are loose and final decisions will be
based on what is need and what has been run through the DX wringer recently.
The group will include Jim Blackman, K0EVE, Tom Lindgren, W0WP, Steve Towle, K0SVW
and Alan Cresswell, ZK1DR. They are looking for both c.w. and SSB and QSLs will go
to W0WP, Tom Lindgren, 1260 13th Avenue, Marion, Iowa 52302. There will be more
updating on these plans but at this time they feel rather firm on some August
activity.
SAN MARINO M1C may be hanging out the `No Vacancy' sign as two of the Deserving W/K
types plan to visit Antonio during the first half of July and run up a lot of
business for the San Marino station.
Dennis Lusis will be visiting San Marino early in July, possibly around July 7th, and
will put M1C on the air for two or three days. Then along about July 16th, W7KZE,
Larry Luchi, will come pounding up the road to Antonio's and Larry plans to put M1C
on the air for about four days, July 16th to 20th. Before we forget it complete,
Dennis Lusis' call is W1LJ and he is out of Bristol, Connecticut.
During K7KZE's travel in Italy, he will also visit the Vatican and Manual Calero,
I4CMF, has made arrangements for him to operate a Vatican station, either HV1CN or
HV3SJ. This should be around July 14th. QSL for K7KSE to his home QTH.....5007 West
Clearwater Lot F, Kennewick, Wash 99336
(page break)
West Coast DX Bulletin
13 June 1979
SUNSPOT LOUIE We heard from W6RQ recently and told
Al that some were wondering what the chart
would look like when the solar activity
was high. Al said that he would work
on it.
This week Al shows up to declare: "This
is it!" And there it is! And the
Solar Flux? It was up around 224
on this date!
And while all of the DXers are De-
serving, and some more so, Al says
that it is hard to understand how
so many could be so deserving as to
have had this. "Never mind the
questions," we advised Al, "get the
flux up and get that Ap figure down."
It was around eight to ten on the day of
this observation and we are sure that this
could be improved with a bit more effort.
But it does look good. But will it last? It
seldom does....long enough, and peering into the
days of the summer solstice, N4XX says: "Repent!,
there are dire days ahead!!" And as we slide from the
euphoria of W6RQ to the forebodings of N4XX, all we W6RQ
can say is to enjoy the Good Days while they are here, 6 June 1979
tomorrow may not be the brighter day we've been promised.
And what does N4XX promise? A slide down to the depths No. 1774 40 spots
Of LNs and BNs. Maybe better you'd work in the garden. N14o W02o 550 millionths
1781 33 spots
June 13th Above Normal Jun 20th Below! N19o E30o 1150 millionths
14th High/Low Normal 21st Below!!
15th Low/Below 22nd Below!!! 1782 10 spots
16th Low Normal 23rd Low! S22o E39o 590 millionths
17th Low Normal 24th Low!!
18th Below Normal 25th Low!!! 1783 1 spot
19th Low Normal 26th Low!!! N08o E40o 240 millionths
The labels may be bad but keeping in mind that all 1786 1 spot
things are relative, including the categories used S16o E52o 90 millionths
in the forecasts, and what may be Low Normal next
week would have been unbelieveably good DX a few years 1788 5 spots
back. All of this is explained in the Propagation S20o E52o 80 millionths
Handbook with every DXer in the know is buying these
days. 1789 2 spots
N04o E61o 240 millionths
But down I the border country K6EC knows when DX is
good for Ev has worked most all of it. And when Ev 1790 3 spots
comes roaring out of the south with the good news that S09o E46o 20 millionths
he has the flux headed for the 200 mark, who can stop to
argue that DX is not good these days. Ev says to slap 1791 4 spots
this on your charts! S29o W55o 10 millionths
Solar Flux Ap Index Solar Flux Ap Index KH6BZF
May 28th 145 10 Jun 1st 184 6 4 Jun 79
29th 146 20 2nd 205 4
30th 154 15 3rd 220 6
31st 170 7
(page break)
West Coast DX Bulletin
13 June 1979
BURMA RUMORS Most have heard one or more, some have even worked a XZ station that
was full of assurances. From the Warsaw Desk, we have some inside information from
SP5RX on the SP5AUC who was supposed to be the true blue. Was Rolf, whose home call
is SM5MX writing about the Burmese situation? He was not! We had been addressing his
bulletin to "Warsaw, Norway" and it was not arriving as fast as it should. "Try
using Poland," he tells us, "it will get to Bagatela 3 in downtown Warsaw just a bit
faster."
Rolf, there in the Swedish Embassy at Warsaw, joined the local VHF to pick up some of
the local Warsaw information. There had been hints that XZ2P was really SP5AUC in
SEAsia garb. The locals there in Warsaw who know SP5AUC jumped into the fray to deny
the rumor. Those who know him say that he is still there in the local scene and
studying hard on his school examinations.
There was one bit of interesting information passed along. You will not find any
listing for XZ2P in the Call-Book. Those in the know insist that the call has been
issued to Dr. U No Him there in downtown Rangoon. Those I the know are firm on this
point. That's always a convincer. Be firm in everything you say.
As long as we are covering the Warsaw scene, it might be noted that SP-amateurs can
now work One-Sixty upon application to local authorities. The maximum inpuut allowed
is 10 watts and they are allowed to work in the 1750-1950kHz segment. There may be
sub-bands, but then again, there may not. That's all we have...they can work One-
Sixty.
DON MILLER We have had a number of queries on what has happened in this matter. To
put it in a most succinct manner.....nothing.
Our Mojave Desk advised that a check in downtown Indio shows that the case is set on
the Riverside County court calendar for June 22nd. This will indicate that we
probably will have nothing until the issue of July 4th.
As indicated in the last report, at the preliminary hearings the request for a delay
was asked and granted. The late June date should see the matter before the Superior
Court there.
SHORTLY NOTED Some weeks back we had some items on QSLs for PJ9JR and PJ9KK. We had
most of it right but it is N4MM who is getting the cards for these and they are Sint
Maarten Slim for sure if they are not for October 1978. This was the only time the
station was active. Someone has been using the calls recently and they are not the
true-blue. It was the cards for FM0FC for the October 1977 operation that goest to
W1JZ.
On the QSL route for TY9ER.....Karl Renz cards can be sent to his brother W2TK there
in Jersey. We got the wrong letter in last time out. However, cards sent to DL8DC
are being honored. Everything works out eventually including some of our high-speed
typing.
The DXAC sub-committee on writing guidelines for DX operating has about completed its
work and a draft is being circulated to the full DXAC for review and comment. Look
for this to surface at the July Board meeting.
There is a very good rumor that 8Z4-Neutral Zone may show during the Autumn Equinox.
We speak in hushed tones and obscure references in this one because the story is not
supposed to be out. But September.......remember!
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(page break)
West Coast DX Bulletin
13 June 1979
THIRD PARTY TRAFFIC From time to time we have mentioned our continuing concern
because we note there are so many psychiatrists on the mailing list for the bulletin.
The nagging doubts that come in the night will not go away.....Is it them? Or us?
But in addition to all the psychiatrists, we also have one of those who works for the
FCC doing monitoring work. It might be interesting to note what this one has to say
about some things that are dear to the hearts of many of the Deserving.....List
Operations!
At time the finger has been pointed by those who are opposed to lists and the finger
is directed at Part 97.114 of the FCC regulations. This prohibits third-party traffic
with those countries where a third-party agreement is not in existence. Some of
those with the finger say that monitoring stations should, or will, cite stations
passing such traffic. Some have said that citations have been issued.
What we Deserving types are up against is more form than content. You can draw a
citation for passing a list, you will not if you watch your procedure. The line is
whether the list is passed to a station in a country for which there is no third-
party treaty, or are you passing the list to a stateside group.
Now that all of this is perfectly clear, we will go even further with an example.
Say the List Master has a list for an 3V8 operation. If the list is compiled and
passed directly to the 3V8.....or some other station in a non-Third-Party country,
you can be in violation. If you as List Master say: "3V8 call W6", you could be
cited. But if you say: "W6 call the 3V8", you would be okay.
The FCC Monitoring type said that he would issue a citation if he were to hear a list
being passed to a station in a country with which there is no third-party treaty.
This would be considered a violation of the third-party restriction. However, if the
list was run by telling the stateside station to call the DX Station, everything
would be okay and the FCC Monitoring would be moving on to other things.
It was also noted that some casual listening from the home station during the Abu Ail
operation found at least twenty-five and probably a good number more U.S. stations
calling outside the band. Only the fact that the FCC type was at home rather than at
the monitoring facility saved things.
And for some final useful information, the FCC no longer issues pink slips. They have
changed the form to yellow.
ANDAMAN ISLANDS Jim Smith, P29JS, has been looking for an Andaman operation since
the Fall of last year. He followed procedures, filing an application for a visa at
the Indian Embassy in Canberra, this ended up out in the Fijis. He kept trying but
last week was up against the stonewall. He had word from New Delhi. They said...
Mr. James B Smith
Konebodu, Papua-New Guinea
Sub: Request for Grant of an Indian Amateur W/T License
Sir: I am directed to refer to your letter dated 11th April 1979 on
The subject mentioned above and to inform you that the new Amateur
Rules have come into force with effect from 1st January 1979 in
Accordance which it has not been possible to grant the license
For short periods of stay.
Yours faithfully
/s/ R K Kutar
Assistant Wireless Advisor to the Government of India
(page break)
West Coast DX Bulletin
13 June 1979
HEARD ISLAND Since the last operation from Heard in 1970, this one has moved
steadily up in the `Needed Countries' list and if a poll were to be taken at this
time, it probably would end up about No. 5.
The first operation from Heard was back around 1949 when a VK1 put the island on the
air. Years back it was the site of an Australian cable station ad some of the
buildings are still standing there at Atlas Cove. The cable station has been
abandoned for years and only occasionally does a vessel stop there. The Antarctic
supply vessels out of Australia stop there every year or so, mostly to see that the
island is still there and the penguins and seals are leading an untroubled existence.
With some of the rare countries on the DXCC list being low-tide rocks or dimunitive
political enclaves, it should be noted that Heard is a fair sized island, roughly
thirty five miles east to west and about twenty miles north to south.
The dominant feature of Heard is Big Ben, a
Massive ice-capped mountain in the center of
The island. Mt. Olson is another snow capped
Peak and there are other lesser peaks.
Recent activity has included that of Don Miller
in 1966 when he signed VK2ADY/VK0 for a brief
run in the middle of what would be the winter
time there on Heard. The location of Heard is
about 72oS and 53oE. There often is a degree
or so difference between some atlas' infor-
mation but Kerguelen is the nearest land to
the northwest, it and Heard being part of the
same ridge rising out of the ocean.
Don Miller showed some slides of his visit to
Heard, Big Ben and the cable station buildings
being prominently displayed. The lack of snow in the mid-winter scene close to the
Antarctic Circle was notable. Eventually this operation was disallowed by the ARRL
DXCC Desk, this adding to the volume of imprecations directed at Newington for having
such little faith in one who was bringing so much new, needed and interesting DX for
all the Deserving.
The USCG SOUTHWIND made a brief stop at Heard in early 1968, they timing their visit
for the late part of the Heard Island summer. Bill Rohrer put the island on the air
briefly but the following year VK0HM was put on the air by Hugh Milbourn who was on
the island for several months making star-sights for the U.S. Coast and Geodetic
Survey. It was this operation that put Heard down the needed list for some years,
the last activity being in the Spring of 1970.
Heard has moved up steadily in the wanted lists, it being No. 8 in the last poll made
by W1AM and the Great DX Computer. By now it could be down to No. 5 with the recent
activity at Spratly, Bouvet and the Neutral Zone. In the poll taken last year 75% of
those responding needed Heard.
The VKs have been looking for a way to put Heard on the air and their feeling is that
anything will depend on transportation and their hope, slim as it may be, is that it
might be possible to get a lift on some of the Australian Antarctic resupply vessels
headed for the bases down on the Antarctic continent. Nothing has firmed up as yet
but with the interest being shown, it is quite possible that one of these winters the
Deserving will hear some VKs enjoying the summer on Heard. Enjoyment is relative.
As of now most of the action is hope.
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(page break)
West Coast DX Bulletin
13 June 1979
THAILAND On the matter of citing of amateurs reported a couple of weeks back, the
ARRL followed up on the matter and last week issued the following bulletin:
The FCC Monitoring Station in Anchorage, Alaska, has been issuing notices of
violation to American amateurs who have been heard in communication with radio
amateurs in Thailand. These notices have been issued in error. This is no banned
countries list.
American amateurs may presently communicate with other amateurs in any country
without violating FCC laws. Amateurs who have received these notices are urged to
respond in writing to the FCC within ten days, as required by Section 97.137 of the
FCC Rules and Regulations. They should return the notice, retaining a copy for
themselves, along with the letter which includes the date of the alleged violation
and the names of officials who signed the notice.
They should add that they are aware that there is no banned list, and that therefore
no violation of the rules has taken place. The reply should be sent via certified
mail, return receipt requested.
That's the ARRL bulletin, the full text.
You will note that the ARRL passes along the information that there is no banned
list. Once in awhile someone comes along and says that communication with amateurs
in certain countries is forbidden. As far as the U.S. amateurs are concerned, this
is not true and the W/Ks etc. are allowed to communication with any whom they may
entice into a QSO.
However, there are countries which do not allow amateur radio by its citizens or
visitors. In these instances, the U.S. and all other countries are on the banned
list.
FERNANDO de NORONHA Some were looking for the recent operation and PY7APS passes
along word that things did not go all the way as planned and he had to return to
Brasil after only six days of operation due to a death in the family. Gerson writes:
After six days of operation; of Fernando de Noronha Island, I had to return to Recife
because of the death of my grandmother. The conditions were not good and I was only
able to work 4300 stations. PY0MAG, Paulo, worked about 2000 up to the time I left
and he planned to continue operating for a week after my departure. He would be found
only on c.w. and mostly on eighty meters. The first week when we were together on
Fernando do Noronha, we worked all the bands except eighty.
The first QSO of the DXpedition was with PY7ZZ and the first DX QSO was with HB9DX.
My own last QSO as PY0APS was with DJ6VM. It is believed that we were `new
countries' for J7DD and VP2VI.
During QSOs many stations said that they were unable to find PY1APS in their call-
books. My call, PY1APS, is in the 1979 Callbook. Before 1979, I was PY7APS and that
was a long time 100% in the Call Book. However, if a real old Call-Book is used, the
PY1APS listed is not me. The former holder of that callsign is no longer a ham so
please do not send him QSLs.
Also, do not forget the SASE/IRCs for your QSL card. The DXpedition though somewhat
shortened, cost us over $1000.00 dollars.
I forgot to mention that conditions were completely closed on six meters. We tried
but did not work any station up to the time I left and Paulo, PY0MAG, was planning to
give it another try before he left.....
Gerson Rissin, PY0APS/PY1APS/PY7APS
That's the report. Considering the number of trips that Gerson has made to the
Brazilian Islands, you might expect that he will go again to most of them in the
future. The callbook lists him as: Gerson Rissin PY1APS, Box 12178 Copacabana,
200000, Rio de Janeiro, RJ BRASIL.
(Page Break)
West Coast DX Bulletin
13 June 1979
OKINO TORISHIMA Should be on right now and through the week at low tide.
NIUE From about July 11th to 20th by ZL-group
MANIHIKI The June plan is now set for July. Maybe even August.
SINT MAARTEN PJ8 action by the Tunnel DX Club...July 12-16th
TURKS & CAICOS AI5P there from June 24th to end of month.
WB4IYS, WB4OSN,N4UM and W4ZR there from July 6-9th
BAHAMAS AI5P there July 1st
FRENCH St MARTIN North Jersey DX Group there next week.from July 20th
MONTSERRAT VP2MAY active during first half of July
AGALEGA 3B6CD reported and will be there for several months
RODRIGUEZ July being mentioned as a possibility
GRENADA This weekend.The Texas DX Scouting Force there from
July 17th
ATLANTA HAMFEST This weekend.....downtown Atlanta...at the Marriott
SAN MARINO W1LJ there for a couple days from July 7th
W7KZE there from July 16th to 20th.....
PALMYRA WD6GHZ/KH5 sometime around or after July 1st.novice
Bands.
WEST VIRGINIA ARRL CONVENTION Last weekend of month at Jackson Falls.June30/Jul 1st
ARRL NATIONAL Baton Rouge, Louisiana July 20-22nd. All the DXers
Making reservations at the Sheraton. There's safety
In numbers
NEW ENGLAND SCRODFEST October 6th in downtown Waltham. Hail the scrod!
ALL ASIA PHONE TEST This weekend.....June 16/17th
VK/ZL/OCEANIA TEST This weekend.....June 16/17th
VENEZUELAN PHONE TEST July 7/8th
IARU RADIOSPORT TEST July 14/15th
COLOMBIAN HK-DX TEST July 14/15th
MARTS-SEANET TEST CW goes July 21/22nd.Phone goes August 18/19th
VENEZUELLAN CW TEST July 28/29th
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(Page Break)
SOME ENDING NOTES There has been some mail coming to the DXAC on the matter of DX
lists. It helps to give them your opinion no matter what it might be. At the West
Virginia ARRL Convention scheduled for Jackson Mills over the last weekend in June,
W8AH and W3AZD will be joined by N4MM from the DXAC to field the questions at the DX
Forum. Here is a chance to hear the words first hand.
Vic Clark had a heart attack a couple of weeks back but has come along well after a
stay in the local hospital. He was at the Fairfax, Virginia Commonwealth Hospital
and responded well to treatment. Vic has been very active in IARU Region II work and
the preparations for WARC 79. It has often been said that when Vic stands up to
speak, most all amateurs look up to him.
The ARRL Board will be meeting in July. You might recall that last January the Board
passed a motion calling for a review of the DXCC Awards program as to the present
level of services and the need for any changes or improvements. We won't remind how
the word was spread through every Middlesex town the last time the Board was getting
ready to meet but it would not hurt to write the DXAC and your Director on your
needs!
Tnx to W1AM, W1DA, WA1EOT, K1ER/4, W1LJ, K1MEM, W1MV, N1RI, K1UO, W1VV, WA1WTP,
WA1YTC, W1YY/7, W2AG, K2BXG, W2FP, W2HAZ, K2IGW, WA2JNN, W2NC, W3AZD, W3ODJ, W4FRU,
W4HU, WB4INC, WA4JTI, W4LVM, N4MM, N4NW, K4OAH, W4LCL, W4PB, K4RZ, W4ZR, K5AQ, K5DB,
W5CPI, W5OFJ, K5OVC, K5VNJ/2, W5YH, AA6AA, K6AN, WA6BJS, K6EC, W6EJJ, N6EM, W6KPC,
K6LAE, N6OB, WA6TLA, W6TSQ, AE6U, K6UFT, W6VD, WB6VTE, WB6ZUC, K7ABV, W7AAQB, W7IL,
W7K2E, WB7NFK, K7OAK, WA7OBH, W7TE, N7UT, K7UT, K8CW, K8IT, WD8IXV, WD8KSY, K8MPF,
K8RD, W8UVZ, W9EQP, K9UTN, W9SC, W9SS, W9TC, W9TY, K9UR, W0PT, N0RF, W0JRN, WA0KDI,
N0RR, W0BW, K0SVW, P29JS, SP5RX, KH6JWK, JA1TRC, GU5CIA, PY1APS, VE2FRA, KH6BZS
WEST COAST DX BULLETIN Published every week by the Marin County DX Group. Last week
one of the local QRPers was up the hill, this one to throw himself in a chair and
weakly complain that he was tired. "I've had it," he advised us, "I've had it with
DXing and with work and with this always rushing to catch something just beyond
reach. But most of all I'm tired of DXing. I've worked them all and there is nothing
left in it for me. Just nothing at all." We had to listen carefully to all of this
for we know that even the most enthusiastic DXer can weary and turn from DX, but
usually for only a short time. "You really mean it?" we asked and the QRPer nodded.
"I sure do. And mostly with DXing. I just don't understand these new type DXers.
Years ago all DXers were gentlemen, all of us, and always we were trying to improve
our station set-up and our DXCC score. It took years for me to get all those
monobanders up on their own towers for ten fifteen and twenty. And even longer to
get up those rotary arrays for eighty and forty. And when running my station I was
always most careful not to push too hard so I would not go over the legal power
limit. Always! It took years to get all of it together and then along comes these new
appliance operators who would have trouble recognizing an 807 but who run right over
you in a pile-up without regard for even the most common courtesies. There's none of
them a gentlemen like we used to be. Back then every DXer was courteous and more
than once they would stand aside to let me work them first because they knew that
with my high power and big antennas that I was the one to do it. But things sure
have changed." We had to think this one over for a bit. We were wondering how one
could find the words to assuage the hurts of one who worries because he may no longer
be secure as the local top DX dog. "Don't you think," we asked, "that maybe the new
crop of DXers may be good for amateur radio and especially DX." We no sooner said
that than we had a bristling DXer on our hands. "How do you figure that?" he said
hotly, and we began to wonder if we should venture in where angels might hesitate to
tread. "Look at it this way," we said, "any activity usually benefits from infusions
of new people. They are the ones who bring the fresh willingness and the enthusiasms
that we need. The new ones are the large body of doers and the everlasting workers.
They really pick up and carry things. We old ones have been around the track so many
times that we still expect to be out in front of the pack though we know we cannot
run as fast as we once did." We were seeing that we were getting no place with the
QRPer but we were not finished. "And what is wrong with some of the newer ones
topping our scores. We've been at the top for a long time and enjoyed it. Why not
let those with the enthusiasms come up for their turn." We had missed with our
pitch. The QRPer was standing with hands clenched. "The longer I know you, the
harder it is to understand you," and with that he was off and down the hill,
unrepentant and unconvinced. But things do change and DX does along with it. And
those other days were not all robins and roses and `after you, Al'. It was war!! But
for those who want to find out some other changes, ask about our moveable DX rates
for this DX bulletin. Everything with our rates is slippery.....like the footing at
the top of the heap.....
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