DXing with DXLab

Better DXing Through Software

v2.0 2014-09-03

DXingThe art and scienceof making two-way contacts

with distant amateur radio stations
using phone, CW, or digital modes

“Paperwork”• Finding QSL routes• Requesting confirmation via
QSL cards, LotW, eQSL.cc• Tracking confirmation
requests• Updating objectives asconfirmations are received• Submitting confirmations forAward Credit

“Paperwork”• Finding QSL routes• Requesting confirmation via
QSL cards, LotW, eQSL.cc• Tracking confirmation
requests• Updating objectives asconfirmations are received• Submitting confirmations forAward CreditBetter DXing Through Software
1. Automate “paperwork” to make more time for DXing
2. Make time spent DXing more productive
 Find the DX you need Work the DX you need

QSL Route Discovery

QSL Card Printing

QSL Card Printing

QSL Label Printing

QSL “Aging”

QSL Automation• Generates QSL cards and Labels• Generates Address labels or prints envelopes• Support for eQSL.cc and ARRL’s LotW One-click upload One-click download and update Independent tracking• Automatic upload to Club Log• Generates files for BV, QSL Maker, QSL Design and Print Online QSL Request Service (OQRS), Global QSL

Award Tracking• DXCC* & Challenge• CQ DX• CQ DX Marathon• CQ Field• Gridsquares• IOTA• TOPLIST• VUCC• Worked All Continents• Worked All Europe• Worked All Prefixes• Worked All Zones• Worked All British Areas• Worked All Canadian Provinces• Worked All French Departments• Worked All German DOKs
• Worked All Holyland Areas• Worked All Hungarian Counties• Worked All Italian Provinces• Worked All Japanese Cities• Worked All Japanese Guns
• Worked All Japanese Prefectures• Worked All Russian Oblasts• Worked All Russian Districts• Worked All US States• Worked All US Counties

DXLab Objectives
1. Automate “paperwork” to make more time for DXing
2. Make time spent DXing more productive
 Find the DX you need Work the DX you needDXing With DXLab• Introduction to the DXLab Suite Drivers
 Architecture Multiple Views of Active DX• Finding the DX You Need

• Working the DX You NeedDXing With DXLab• Introduction to the DXLab Suite Drivers
 Architecture Multiple Views of Active DX• Finding the DX You Need

• Working the DX You Need

Drivers
1. User-driven iterative development
 Open Yahoo group with 4000+ participants Defect repairs get highest priority; goal is < 24 hours
 Public enhancement lists
 Frequent releases (several per month)

2. Easy to Use and Powerful
 Primarily for DXers
 Secondarily for casual operators

3. Runs on Windows NT, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, and 8
 and Mac in a virtual machine and Linux in a virtual machine

DXing With DXLab• Introduction to the DXLab Suite Drivers
 Architecture Multiple Views of Active DX• Finding the DX You Need• Working the DX You Needthe DXLab Suite

Eight free applications that run individuallybutwhen run simultaneously sense each other’s presence
andinteroperate automaticallythe DXLab Suite
3.7
92

CW, RTTY, PSK

Transceiver Control

Location Control

Logging

DX Spots

PropagationQSL Routes

the DXLab Suite
3.7
92

CW, RTTY, PSK

WinWarbler
Transceiver Control

Location Control

Commander

DXView

Logging

DX Spots

DXKeeperSpotCollector

PropagationQSL Routes

PropView

Pathfinderthe DXLab Suite
3.7
92

CW, RTTY, PSK

WinWarbler

CW Skimmer

Transceiver ControlLocation Control

DX AtlasCommander

DXView

Google EarthLogging

DX Spots

DXKeeperSpotCollector

PropagationQSL Routes

PropView

Pathfinder

DM780

FLDigi

JT-Alert
MultiPSK

MixW

MMSSTV

SpotSpy

MultiPSKA Suite of DXing Applications

Single Point of Control: DXLab Launcher••••

Installation
UpgradeStartupShutdown

DXing With DXLab• Introduction to the DXLab Suite Architecture Drivers Multiple Views of Active DX• Finding the DX You Need

• Working the DX You Need

Active DX Database

TelnetClusters

QSX

PacketClusters

CallFreq

Mode

P5DX

14.005 14.007 CW

KP1RY 21.080 21.085 RTTY

ReverseBeacon
NetworkDX
Summit

0117Z

EU AF SA NA-E NA-M NA-W OC
0341Z ASYYY

0245Z

0356ZFirstLastYYYYY

Multiple Views of Active DX
DX Spot Sources

Active DX Database

What DX stations are QRV ?

Multiple Views of Active DX
DX Spot Sources

Log Database
DXCC needs

Active DX Database

IOTA needs
Leaderboard needs
Marathon needs

VUCC needs

LoggedQSOs

WAS needs
WPX needs
WAZ needs

What QSOs and QSLs are “Needed”
for the awards I’m pursuing ?

Multiple Views of Active DXDX Spot Sources

Log Database
DXCC needs

Active DX Database

IOTA needs
Leaderboard needs
Marathon needs

LotW
DatabaseeQSL AGDatabase

What DX stations QSLvia LotW and eQSL ?

VUCC needs
WAS needs
WPX needs
WAZ needs

LoggedQSOs

Tabular View of Active DX
DX Spot Sources

Log Database
DXCC needs

IOTA needs

Active DX Database

LotW
DatabaseeQSL AG
Database

Tabular Display

Leaderboard needs
View
Generator

Marathon needs

VUCC needs
WAS needs
WPX needs
WAZ needs

LoggedQSOs

Tabular View of Active DXFont color indicates “needed” DX stations
Background color indicates LotW and eQSL participation

Tabular View of Active DX“Needed DX Only”

Font color indicates “needed” DX stations
Background color indicates LotW and eQSL participation

Tabular View of Active DX“Needed and spotted from NA-E”

Font color indicates “needed” DX stations
Background color indicates LotW and eQSL participation

Tabular View of Active DX
in a web browser from anywhereTabular View of Active DX
in a web browser from anywhereAudio and Email Views of Active DX
DX Spot Sources

Log Database
DXCC needs

IOTA needs

Active DX Database

LotW
DatabaseeQSL AG
Database

Audio & Email

Leaderboard needs
View
Generator

Marathon needs

VUCC needs
WAS needs
WPX needs
WAZ needs

LoggedQSOs

Audio and Email Views of Active DX
Creation of a new Active DX Database Entry for a needed DX
station can trigger
 an audio announcement (callsign, “counter”, band, mode) an outgoing email message (which can initiate a text message)

World Map View of Active DX
DX Spot Sources

Log Database
DXCC needs

IOTA needs

Active DX Database

LotW
DatabaseeQSL AG
Database

Leaderboard needs
View
Generator

Marathon needs

VUCC needs
WAS needs
WPX needs
WAZ needs

LoggedQSOs

World Map View of Active DXWorld Map View of Active DX
Controlling the Map View

World Map View of Active DX
Controlling the Map View

World Map View of Active DX“all active DX”

World Map View of Active DX“160m”

World Map View of Active DX“80m”

World Map View of Active DX“40m”

World Map View of Active DX“20m”

World Map View of Active DX“17m”

World Map View of Active DX“15m”

World Map View of Active DX“spotted by a station in NA-E”

World Map View of Active DX“6m” on DX Atlas

World Map View of Active DX“6m” on Google EarthWorld Map View of Active DX“12m” on Google EarthBandspread View of Active DX
DX Spot Sources

Log Database
DXCC needs

IOTA needs

Active DX Database

LotWDatabase
eQSL AG
Database

Leaderboard needs
View
Generator

Marathon needs

VUCC needs
WAS needs
WPX needs
WAZ needs

BandspreadLogged
QSOs

Bandspread View of Active DX

Bandspread View of Active DXPropagation View of Active DX
DX Spot Sources

Log Database
DXCC needs

IOTA needs

Active DX Database

LotW
DatabaseeQSL AGDatabase

Leaderboard needs
View
Generator

Marathon needs

VUCC needs

LoggedQSOs

WAS needs
WPX needs
WAZ needs

Propagation

Propagation View of Active DX

Multiple Views of Active DX
DX Spot Sources

Log Database
DXCC needs

IOTA needs

Active DX Database

LotW
Database

Leaderboard needs
View
Generator

Audio & EmailVUCC needs

LoggedQSOs

WAS needs
WPX needs

eQSL AG
Database

Tabular Display

Marathon needs

WAZ needs

World Map

Bandspread

Propagation

DXing With DXLab• Introduction to the DXLab Suite Drivers
 Architecture Multiple Views of Active DX• Finding the DX You Need

• Working the DX You NeedDXing With DXLab• Introduction to the DXLab Suite Architecture Development Drivers
 Multiple Views of Active DX• Finding the DX You Need

• Working the DX You Need

Finding and Working Needed DX
1. What’s been QRV that I need?
2. Working Mount AthosWhat Are My DXing Objectives?

What’s Been QRV that I Need?

CX on 6m ?
Is HL on 30m a plausible target ?

Check the Solar & Geomagnetic IndicesIsolate the Solar Flux Index• High-band conditions improving

CX on 6m: the Plan
1. Monitor 6m activity on the World Map
2. Listen for CX stations on 6m DX frequencies around 2030Z

Two Days Before Dayton Departure…
SFI Looking Good!

Monitoring 6m

Monitoring 6m
Get ready!

HL on 30m? Check Spots30m HL Spots

Check Propagation to HL on 30m

No forecast openings
No periods of common darkness
No way!

Finding and Working Needed DX
1. What’s been QRV that I need?
2. Working Mount Athos

Working Mount Athos

Working Mount Athos• Monk Apollo, SV2ASP/A• resident of the Monastery of Docheiariou, with a heavy workload• works all HF bands in SSB, RTTY, PACTOR, AMTOR, and CW
 uses a 3-element SteppIR antenna employs 200 hz shift in RTTY

After a 39-year chase !

Look for Recent Activity• QRV for an hour on 17 SSB• Working split• Spotted from EU and AS

Check Spots

Check Spots• Consistently “up 4”? slugfest• EU spotters in DL, EA, F, I, OE, TF• AS spotters in 4X and OD

Forecast Short- & Long-path Propagation

Forecast Short- & Long-path Propagation• 17m @ 14Z opening looks thin
• Stronger openings• 17m after 15Z• 20m, 30m

Check “Actual” Propagation
No NCDXF Beacons are Close to SV-A

Check “Actual” Propagation
Who Near Me has been Spotting Stations Near SV-A?

Define a “near SV-A” filter to Show Stations• in SV-A, SV, LZ, Z3, ZA, TA1, or TA3• spotted by stations less than 500 miles from my QTHPropagation from “Near Me” to “Near SV-A”

Actual Propagation by Band & Time-of-Day

Compare Actual & Forecast Propagation••••15m opening is stronger than forecast
17m can open as early as 12Z
20m is open when predicted
10m and 12m could support a QSO

SV2ASP/A: the Plan
1. Watch 18120 – 18150 daily at 1400Z with antenna on SV-A“Blueprint” the band with local spots

2. Employ a European DX Cluster as a Spot Source
3. Rapidly QSY when SV2ASP/A is spottedEnable audio announcements
Double-click to QSY and set split
Amplifier and/or Tuner settings

4. Use dual receivers and a panadaptor to rapidly locate MonkApollo’s listening frequency

Insert an Entry in the Spot Database
DX Spot Sources

Log Database
DXCC needs

IOTA needs

Active DX Database

LotW
Database

Leaderboard needs
View
Generator

Audio & EmailVUCC needs

LoggedQSOs

WAS needs
WPX needs

eQSL AG
Database

Tabular Display

Marathon needs

WAZ needs

World Map

Bandspread

Propagation

Insert an Entry in the Spot Database
DX Spot Sources

Log Database
DXCC needs

IOTA needs

Active DX Database“Local Spot”

LotW
Database

Leaderboard needs
View
Generator

Audio & EmailVUCC needs

LoggedQSOs

WAS needs
WPX needs

eQSL AG
Database

Tabular Display

Marathon needs

WAZ needs

World Map

BandspreadPropagation

Blueprinting the Band
“Locally Spot” Every Station You Identify

SV2ASP/A: the Plan
1. Watch 18120 – 18150 daily at 1400Z with antenna on SV-A“Blueprint” the band with local spots

2. Employ a European DX Cluster as a Spot Source
3. Rapidly QSY when SV2ASP/A is spotted
Enable audio announcements
Double-click to QSY and set split
Amplifier and/or Tuner settings

4. Use dual receivers and a panadaptor to rapidly locate Monk
Apollo’s listening frequency

Employ a European DX Cluster
DX Spot Sources

Log Database
DXCC needs

IOTA needs

Active DX Database

LotW
Database

Leaderboard needs
View
Generator

Audio & EmailVUCC needs

LoggedQSOs

WAS needs
WPX needs

eQSL AG
Database

Tabular Display

Marathon needs

WAZ needs

World Map

Bandspread

Propagation

Employ a European DX Cluster
EUDX Spot Sources

Log Database
DXCC needs

IOTA needs

Active DX Database

LotW
Database

Leaderboard needs
View
Generator

Audio & EmailVUCC needsLoggedQSOs

WAS needs
WPX needs

eQSL AG
Database

Tabular Display

Marathon needs

WAZ needs

World MapBandspread

Propagation

SV2ASP/A: the Plan
1. Watch 18120 – 18150 daily at 1400Z with antenna on SV-A“Blueprint” the band with local spots

2. Employ a European DX Cluster as a Spot Source
3. Rapidly QSY when SV2ASP/A is spotted
Enable audio announcements
Double-click to QSY and set split
Amplifier and/or Tuner settings

4. Use dual receivers and a panadapter to rapidly locate Monk
Apollo’s listening frequencySV2ASP/A: the Plan
1. Watch 18120 – 18150 daily at 1400Z with antenna on SV-A“Blueprint” the band with local spots

2. Employ a European DX Cluster as a Spot Source
3. Rapidly QSY when SV2ASP/A is spottedEnable audio announcements
Double-click to QSY and set split
Amplifier and/or Tuner settings

4. Use dual receivers and a panadapter to rapidly locate Monk
Apollo’s listening frequency

Commander: Multiple Radio Support

Select one of four primary radios• By button click• Automatically as a function of frequency

Commander: Multiple Radio SupportThe Secondary radio can• Follow the active primary radio Main or Sub VFO• Lead the active primary radio

Commander: Multiple Radio Support

The Secondary radio can• Follow the active primary radio• Lead the active primary radioSV2ASP/A: the Plan
1. Watch 18120 – 18150 daily at 1400Z with antenna on SV-A“Blueprint” the band with local spots

2. Employ a European DX Cluster as a Spot Source
3. Rapidly QSY when SV2ASP/A is spotted

Enable audio announcements
Double-click to QSY and set split
Amplifier and/or Tuner settings

4. Use dual receivers and a panadapter to rapidly locate Monk
Apollo’s listening frequency

SV2ASP/A: the Plan
One More Thing…

SV2ASP/A: the Plan
One More Thing…

In a phone pileup, call

AA6YQ parakalo

DXing With DXLab• Introduction to the DXLab Suite Architecture Development Drivers
 Multiple Views of Active DX• Finding the DX You Need

• Working the DX You Need

www.dxlabsuite.com

www.dxlabsuite.com

FREE !

Better DXing Through Software