Working DX - jt6m.org

Working DX with JT6M

NA Openings (and elsewhere)
If you are fortunate to be qrv during a multi-hop ES opening to NA or other DX destinations or TEP (from EU perspective) it may be worthwhile giving JT6M a try.

In 2006 a number of Caribean and North American stations were worked from UK (G0CHE G0GMS G4IGO G4PCI GW3ORL GW6TEO) and from other parts of Europe, with distances of up to +8000km worked. Further distances are probably workable but there is a need for stations to be qrv and willing to give it a try.

The following information is provided to help all JT6M users interested in making DX contacts and should be taken as guidelines only - adherance to will provide everyone with the greatest chance of good DX qso's.

These guidelines have come about through discussions between G4IGO G4PCI WA5UFH and his WSJT group including K1SIX, N5SIX and W5UWB (apologies if I have left anyone out).

Well done - Good job guys !!

QRG
It is worth noting the differences in calling qrg's between NA 50.260 and EU 50.230. There needs to be some collaboration as to which frequency to use. For Europe, 50.230 may cause a problem with QRM to those not in the DX path but within those who are. The same could also apply to NA with 50.260. During ES openings in Europe 50.230 sometimes gets smoothered with SSB qso's making this qrg unworkable.

Please remember, in North America, 50.260MHz is the calling not operating frequency.

Cqing
In Europe the norm is to call CQ with a qrg frequency e.g. CQ 238 - meaning the caller will listen on 50.238 for any calls and will qsy there to complete the qso when a call is heard. In NA the norm is to use U or D + number to indicate qsy frequency e.g. U5 or D10 implying they will listen up 5kHz or down 10kHz and qsy to tx there when call is heard.

It is important to understand the 2 different methods so that sucessful qso's can be completed.

As mutual qrm is inevitable if the band is open, please use qsy frequency all the time when calling on the calling qrg('s).

Transmit Periods
Typically the western most station will transmit during the first 30 second period. This means that for NA and Caribean openings Europe will always transmit second period. Conversely openings to east (from Europe) should imply the reverse although this has yet to be experienced on a large scale opening.

Reporting
It has been suggested that everyone uses the European method of reporting (this is based on IARU region 1 MS procedure) - however this appears to be a challenge for some operators to correctly set the defaults - full details are given here V3.x.x/4.x.x and here V5.x.x

As Es propagation provides strong signals at times and mostly for the duration of each over, it is perfectly acceptable to use the standard method of reporting rather than usual MS procedure type. e.g.55 or 57 etc..

The important thing is to receive both calls and exchange reports (26 through to 59) or your grid square for a valid contact. This is entirely up to the operator but it may be wise to follow your qso partners method if they send report first. (i.e. you are still sending calls only).

Chatrooms
You will probably be more sucessful with DX qso's by using a chatroom such as ON4KST's 6m chat or Ping-Jockey

Be aware that there are certain rules or protocols that should be followed especially not making known qso details during qso. Tnis is frowned upon and some operators will stop their qso immediately if they see their qso info being posted. Please don't spoil it for others.

Propagation
With long distance ES (and F2 in future years) propagation signals will be subject to QSB - fast, slow, deep etc. this suits JT6M very well, they may appear to be like Iono or Tropo at times with signals sometimes present but very weak. These normally will give a good decode - other times the signal strength may rise rapidly and be S5 plus - (maybe time to grab the key or mic ?) either way if the path is there then a qso should result. You may experience deep qsb whereby you lose the signal from your qso partner. Be patient, the signal may well come back again to allow the qso to continue/complete.

Useful Links
To compliment this page/site please find the following worth a vist -

Randy Tipton WA5UFH's WSJT group
K1SIX's WSJT Weak Signal pages