Home > DX'ing > Pileups
Working the Pileups
If you intend to work DX and want to have more than a little success you will
have to learn a few techniques. You might want to call them tips or tricks, but
it is just simple common sense when you think about it. No matter how much power
you are running and how huge your antenna you will not make the contact if you
are calling at the wrong time in the wrong place. See, I told you it was simple.
So, how do you find out the right place and time to call? By listening.
When you come across a pileup the first thing you need to do is listen to what
is going on. Do you even need the station for a 'new one', or is it the same
station you worked 30 minutes ago, but with a different operator? You can learn
so much by listening; is there a QSL manager and who is it, is the operator
working stations on his frequency or operating split, is he working anyone or
just certain areas? It probably will not do you any good to make a call from the
states if the DX is working Europeans, but you may hear several comments like
'lid' or 'Europe only'. These are not terms of endearment.
Split Operation Most rare DX and nearly all DX'pedition operation is
split. If there is a large pileup that is the only way for anyone to get
through. Anything more than just a few stations calling on the same frequency
makes it next to impossible to pick out callsigns. Working split is simple, the
DX transmits on one frequency and listens on another, often changing
frequency. Some operators take a couple calls before moving on, some move after
every call. If the pileup is large and you are low power, meaning anything less
than a kilowatt to some people, split is probably the only way you have a
chance. Even then it may be slim, depending on the size of the crowd.
The first thing you have to do is determine where the DX is listening. On SSB
the operator will usually announce the listening range once in a while, such as
'listening 205 to 215'. Pay attention! That is where he is listening and calling
him on 200 probably will not get you a contact. The reason he is listening there
is because he wants the noise of the pileup away from the frequency he is
calling on so everyone can hear him, thereby giving him some control of the
situation. You may find people calling outside the announced range, and
sometimes they are getting through. If that is so then make your call there
also. The DX is making the rules and he works them where he wants them. The main
thing is keeping the callers off of his transmit frequency.
On CW the operator will usually only say 'up', but if you tune up you will
find the crowd and be able to judge the boundaries. The pileups on CW tend to be
closer to the DX and not spread out as wide. There is an added bonus in working
CW in that a lot of hams don't use it. That cuts out some of the competition
right from the start. It also seems to me that CW pileups tend to move along
faster. You'd be amazed at how fast some operators can work stations.
Regardless of the mode, if it is split you need to find out what the split
is, and start listening. Some hams will sit on the same frequency and just keep
calling. If you have a big signal that may work, but if you are low power you
need to take a more active approach. When the DX goes back to a station try to
quickly find that station when he gives his report. You have to be quick because
it may just be a short 'thank you, 599 also' or just '59 tu' on CW.
Most modern radios have two VFO's, usually A and B. For me it is simpler to
set A on the DX and use B to tune around to find where he is listening. When the
DX calls a station I just push the A/B button to switch over to B and quickly
hunt the lucky ham sending his report back to the DX. If I find him I make a
mental note of the frequency and switch back to the DX to find out the call of
the next station. If I find the second station I have an idea of how far the DX
moved to find a clear call, or if he moved at all. Finding a pattern lets you
know where you should make your call the next time around. If you call and don't
get through, listen and find the ham that did get through. Was he on your
frequency? If so you have the pattern right, just got beat out. If he was
somewhere else you need to adjust your target for the next call. If you are
consistently on the right frequency when you make your call, sooner or later
you'll probably get through.
Is it easy with low power? No, not in the least. Will you get frustrated?
Yes, most definitely. When VP6DI, Ducie Island, came on the pileups were huge.
Several nights I sat here and listened as signals got stronger and stronger.
Almost without fail, just when the signals were good here in North Carolina, the
operators would all break for mealtime. When they came back 30 or 45 minutes
later they were often down to S2 or S3. Did I call anyway? Sure, the only
alternative was to give up on a new one. Did I get through? Not on SSB. After
several night of hopeless calling on 20 meter SSB I finally found them on 15
meter CW. As I remember it only took a few calls to get through. I only
made that one contact, but that was all it took to get a new one.
Transceive Operation This is when you and the DX are on the same
frequency. Although it is more likely to happen with common DX, sometimes you
will find semi-rare and rare stations using transceive when they first come on.
It doesn't take long for the pileup to grow and then they will usually go split.
It goes without saying that you want to be the one to hear the DX make his first
CQ. If you are that lucky it will be the best chance you have of snagging him
without having to fight it out in a pileup. I was lucky to hear A41LZ calling CQ
late one night and nabbed him with the first call. Even though signals were only
55 both ways we had a nice short chat. When we ended the QSO there were several
stations calling him, and I am sure the pileup grew quickly. I got the easy QSO
by tuning around and listening. It also helped to know that 20 meters opened up
to the Middle East in the middle of the night for me.
Tailending This is kind of like tailgating in the radio world. First
thing, make sure the station you are trying to work takes tailenders. If he does
not then you do not want to upset him by doing it. Also, if you are going to do
it, do it right. It works at times, but can be a little tricky. What it all
boils down to is making your call to the DX just as the station he is currently
working finishes the QSO. If the DX is moving fast and the exchange both ways is
a simple 59(9), and other stations are tailending, then it is safe to try with a
condition or two. First you have to be able to hear the DX and the other
station so you are sure not to interfere with their QSO. When the other
station is signing clear with the DX you drop your call in. Some people will
drop their call while the other station is still signing clear, but I like to
aim for just after he finishes. I just want to be sure he is really through
before I call.