By Graeme VK5GG & Chris VK3QB
Getting DX QSOs in your log takes skill, effort and dedication. The ideas presented below should give you a solid starting point. This article is not intended to be a deep-dive into each resource. You’ll need to read the online tutorials, watch some YouTube videos, and familiarise yourself, but the best way to do this is to start using them regularly. Graeme and I spoke about this in the recent Zoom session; you can watch that interview here:
Mindset
It is important to approach this challenge with the right mindset.
You need to accept that you are no longer a CW learner, arranging skeds on apps. You feel comfortable calling CQ on an open band and being ready for whatever eventuates. You spin the dial and read the band, monitor propagation and signals, and jump on CQs when you know your chances of a QSO are better than average.
You are confident that you have a capable station and a good antenna.
You also understand propagation and are skilled in using the tools that can help you choose the bands most likely to yield a result.
Online Tools
Spend some time acquainting yourself with the tools listed below. Pop the links in your browser’s bookmarks. Use them every time you get on-air.
DXSummit
Here amateurs from all around the world post stations they’re hearing or working. This data is consolidated and presented in real time on DXSummit. You can set filters to narrow in on your specific interests areas; modes, bands, etc.
Use this tool as a part of your overall arsenal to gain a broader perspective of what’s happening on the bands. Say you’re wanting to work a rare DX station; DX Summit is a great way to see if they’re active at the moment, where to find them, and what parts of the world are hearing them. You’ll also pick up tips like “up 2”, indicating the DX station is working split and listening 2 kHz above their transmitting frequency.
You can tell where the post is initiated by the poster’s callsign.
DXWatch
DXWatch is a variation on DXSummit. The home screen from DXSummit follows:
Reverse Beacon Network
The Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) is a fantastic resource for CW operators. Refer other documents to learn more about this resource. (reference to be included)
In the context of chasing DX, one approach is to use RBN to monitor the band you’re on. Straight away you’ll get a sense of how the band is behaving. In the example below you’ll see that 12 metres is not really very good unless you’re in North America at the time of this screen shot.
You can also limit spots to a specific RBN (e.g. VK3RASA) or to report which RBNs are hearing your CQ calls. If you’re in VK3 or VK6 there are permanent RBNs and they’ll report in real-time the CW signals they are receiving (a station must be calling “CQ” or Test for the “RBN” to report). Other RBNs appear on the network in VK2 and VK4 when their owners make them available.
More broadly, selecting RBNs in the Oceania region (OC) will provide a wider view of signals being heard across our region.
It really is an incredible resource to help you in your quest to work DX. Spend some time familiarising yourself with this resource. It’s a great way to understand propagation and also see in real time where you CQs are being heard. If you haven’t used it before, call CQ a few times and then enter your callsign. An example is provided below. Clearly, this is a good time to be working North Americans on 40 metres.
Club RBN
Further to the RBN is Club RBN. This is another must-have on your browser’s bookmarks. Spend time acquainting yourself with this tool and its rich filtering options. You can filter by club, band, region and even callsigns.
This tool is useful if you’re chasing other club members or (for example) you’re chasing people using straight keys. In this case select the SKCC club, and there’s a fair chance the spots you receive will be from operators using straight keys.
An example is shown on the following page. We have selected members from CWops, all bands, only skimmers in EU and OC, with a spot age of up to 20 minutes,
Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology offer a world class service when it comes to Space Weather monitoring. It is well worth your time to visit this site and get familiar with its offerings.
One of the first questions we should be asking ourselves is “how is the ionosphere behaving at the moment?”
Start here:
https://www.sws.bom.gov.au/HF_Systems
If you see something like this (below), there is a fair chance conditions won’t be favourable to chasing DX, and in very severe conditions, local QSOs will also be hard work.
To drill down and get a more detailed perspective of conditions, you can select the Hourly Area Prediction (HAP) charts. See below.
Once you select HAP Charts you select Hourly HAP Charts and a city near your own as the preferred city. There aren’t a lot of cities to select from in this tool for Australia or New Zealand; select Adelaide which provides the best global mapping for Australia. Even if you’re not in Adelaide, you’ll get a reasonable idea of propagation conditions for your location. This screen shot below is centred on Adelaide.
As you can see from the above chart, 21 and 24 MHz are possibly go-to bands if you want to work into SE Asia or North America from Adelaide or SE Australia at the time this screen shot was taken. Refer to the legend with pink and maroon colours illustrating the predictions; 28 MHz (grey area) might even be open into northern America.)
HamAlert
HamAlert is a phone app that can notify you when that rare one you’ve been chasing is active. Create an account, set a few parameters, and you’re on your way to working specific stations. See screen shot below.
You may need to enable app permissions on your phone for it to alert you when its not active.
Monitor FT8 Signals
Use FT8 as a method for gauging propagation at your QTH. If the FT8 frequency on a particular band is dead, or extremely weak, you can be fairly confident the band is closed. Check other bands or go and read a book!
Antenna
Your antenna is the most important component of your radio station. Sure, a fancy radio with all the latest features may make operating easier, but it won’t get you more QSOs than a basic modern radio like the Icom IC-7300.
Efficient and effective antennas are far more likely to increase your success than any other changes you make to your station. (with the exception perhaps of reducing any local QRM). If you’re suffering QRM, refer to QRM Guru for information and guidance. www.qrm.guru
If you aren’t lucky enough to have a 15-metre tower and 3-element beams, then the next best thing for DX is a resonant vertical (with at least 16 ground radials 3-5 metres in length), followed closed by a dipole (or doublet) up at least 8-10 metres (for 40 metres and up). If you have the space for both you’ll get the best of both worlds and also be able to switch between them depending on propagation and whether you’re looking for local or DX QSOs.
Even on a relatively small block, these two antennas will get you results and are more efficient than random wires, End Fed Wires with Ununs or the latest radial-free vertical being touted on eBay.
Last modified: 27 April, 2026
