DX Spotting Systems

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DX Spotting Systems

Edward A. Dauer
I have resisted using spotting systems until now, preferring to hunt on my
own.  Somehow, being primordial seemed more authentic. But as the totals
rise and the easy ones are in the bag, the listening time per new entity
has gone up sharply.  It seems , on a casual Internet search, that there
are numerous systems out there.  Does anyone have experience with more
than one and so able to offer advice?  If it matters, I operate
exclusively CW and would need spotting notices by (ideally) e-mail or
(workable) Web check-in - no texting and no VHF links.  Thanks in advance
. . .

Ted, KN1CBR

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Re: DX Spotting Systems

Brian Hunt
I use a combination of DXWatch and Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) which uses the DXWatch display engine. Both offer powerful filtering on mode, band, area and even a specific call. I don't know if they have email alerting or not.

Good luck & DX.

Brian, K0DTJ

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Re: DX Spotting Systems

Jim Brown-10
In reply to this post by Edward A. Dauer
On Sun,12/7/2014 7:33 AM, Dauer, Edward wrote:
>   Does anyone have experience with more
> than one and so able to offer advice?

I use a combination of three programs.  First, I use VE7CC's cluster
software to set the cluster to send me what I want to see.  I use
DXKeeper for logging, and it's companion, Spot Collector to filter spots
and display only those band-countries (or states, grids) that I need.

All of these programs are free, mature (bug-free), and well supported.

73, Jim K9YC
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Re: DX Spotting Systems

Mike K2MK
In reply to this post by Edward A. Dauer
Hi Ted,

I believe they are all free. Try them all.

My personal favorite is VE7CC. It's filtered data can be fed to contest logging software. And of course it can send alerts by text or e-mail. With version 3 (still free) you can have multiple profiles for different kinds of contests or operating styles.

It is so good that you will want to add a 2nd monitor to your PC for it's sole use.

73,
Mike K2MK

Dauer, Edward wrote
I have resisted using spotting systems until now, preferring to hunt on my
own.  Somehow, being primordial seemed more authentic. But as the totals
rise and the easy ones are in the bag, the listening time per new entity
has gone up sharply.  It seems , on a casual Internet search, that there
are numerous systems out there.  Does anyone have experience with more
than one and so able to offer advice?  If it matters, I operate
exclusively CW and would need spotting notices by (ideally) e-mail or
(workable) Web check-in - no texting and no VHF links.  Thanks in advance
. . .

Ted, KN1CBR
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Re: DX Spotting Systems

Wes (N7WS)
In reply to this post by Edward A. Dauer
Like you I resisted using spots for a long time.  I wish I had all of the time
back that I spent tuning the bands (pre bandscope too).  It's still easier to
work them before they are spotted and on occasion that still happens.

One problem is, however, that many DX stations simply assume that they will be
spotted and forgo identifying properly or announcing where they are listening.  
So even if you discover one of these without seeing spots, you can be clueless
for a while as the DX station rips off "W7XYZ 5NN" for minutes on end.

So I've resigned myself to looking at spots at times.  That said, I'm not
continually connected to any cluster but use web-based spots via dxscape.com.  I
use Firefox and set tabs on the toolbar for bands of interest.  I just recently
tried the new.dxsummit.fi and it's kind of neat in that it can be filtered and
by clicking on a call, you are presented with QRZ.com and/or Clublog info,
propagation info and a greyline map.  I've tried tabbed browsing to set band
filters, but it doesn't work as expected.

You'll probably get s bunch of suggestions to connect to a cluster that will
tune your radio, turn the beam, decode the station call, work him, update LoTW
and make coffee while you browse the Internet.  I still do all of that stuff myself.

Wes  N7WS


On 12/7/2014 8:33 AM, Dauer, Edward wrote:

> I have resisted using spotting systems until now, preferring to hunt on my
> own.  Somehow, being primordial seemed more authentic. But as the totals
> rise and the easy ones are in the bag, the listening time per new entity
> has gone up sharply.  It seems , on a casual Internet search, that there
> are numerous systems out there.  Does anyone have experience with more
> than one and so able to offer advice?  If it matters, I operate
> exclusively CW and would need spotting notices by (ideally) e-mail or
> (workable) Web check-in - no texting and no VHF links.  Thanks in advance
> . . .
>
> Ted, KN1CBR
>
>

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DX Spotting systems

Newton, Michael
In reply to this post by Edward A. Dauer

I use DXHeat www.dxheat.com It has a good filtering system so you can only see CW spots or whatever you choose. Also,when the KX3 is connected to the computer, I run N1MM logger with the telnet window open. This takes me straight to the frequency and sets the split if necessary. As a bonus I can also use the built in function keys that send basic CW messages.

Mike
VO1OK

Corner Brook
NL
www.twitter.com/qrpham

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