[IRCA] Minimalist and Maximalist Ultralight DXing-- Try Them Both!

[D1028Gary@xxxxxxx]

Hello Guys,
 
     Thanks to all (Kevin, Rob, Carl, Allen, John,  Kirk, Richard, Dennis, 
Greg and many others) for your generous comments about  the first anniversary of 
the Ultralight Radio boom, which are all greatly  appreciated.  Our exciting 
new niche hobby has restored the interest of  many AM DXers, and certainly has 
a very positive future.
 
     Perhaps the most fascinating advantage  offered by ULR DXing is the 
chance to choose your own level of challenge.   There is never any reason to feel 
bored, when such a huge variety of radios,  accessories and even modifications 
are available to provide new DXing  challenges and opportunities-- all at 
reasonable prices.
 
     John Cereghin's recent comments about the  "minimalist" approach (DXing 
with a stock SRF-59) very effectively  described the challenge and rewards 
offered by using only a basic analog  Ultralight to chase domestic and 
international DX.  Allen Willie has also  thrilled us all with a minimalist approach to 
transoceanic DX, and Rob Ross,  Greg Schoom and others have done the same with 
domestic DX.  There is a  strong "work ethic" required in this type of DXing, 
but the  rewards are certainly in proportion to the effort. Like most major  
projects, your success requires patience and perseverance-- but the  reward of 
hearing rare DX on a stock Ultralight is an indescribable  thrill that is 
unlike any other hobby experience.
 
     On the other side of the Ultralight  enthusiast group are the 
"maximalist" DXers, who have been on a one-year mission  to modify pocket radios into a 
state of supreme DXing effectiveness.  John  Bryant and myself have perhaps 
led the charge in this, with serious assistance  from Guy Atkins, Steve 
Ratzlaff, Kevin Schanilec and many others.  From the  beginning of the Ultralight boom 
we have had filter modifications (SRF-M37V,  DT-200VX and others) and 
loopstick transplants (SRF-39FP and DT-200VX),  but serious performance boosts didn't 
happen until we learned to  combine extreme sensitivity with extreme 
selectivity.  Today our  modified E100's can embarrass classic DX portables on ocean 
beaches, and  anywhere else.
 
     If you are looking for new DXing challenges this  winter, you are 
certainly in the right group!  Try the "minimalist"  approach, and se if you are up 
to the challenge.  The ultimate challenge is  offered by the Sony SRF-S84, a 
radio half the size of an SRF-59 (with a  loopstick only 1.2" long).  Think 
that this tiny radio would be  useless for DX?  Guess again-- it has already 
received 3 TP's here in  my modest location (JOAK-594, JOIB-747 and HLCA-972).  
But you will have to  learn to play the propagation peaks, and work hard to get 
rare DX on this  tiniest of Ultralights.
 
     Have you logged a lot of DX on stock Ultralights,  and are running out 
of possibilities?  West coast TP DXers had the same  feeling-- about a year 
ago!  An exciting world of passive and active  antennas awaits you.  Check out 
Kevin's excellent article "Using Tuned  Passive Loop Antennas," posted on 
DXer.Ca.  Investigate the possibilities  of inductively coupling your external 
antennas to stock Ultralight loopsticks  (read John Bryant's several articles on 
the subject, also posted  on DXer.Ca.).  Using an external antenna with an 
Ultralight radio  provides an exciting change from the modest stock sensitivity, 
opening up a new  world of weak-signal possibilities.
 
     Finally, if you would like to try the  ultimate in stand-alone 
Ultralight performance, check out the E100 Four Variant  Shootout article, also on 
DXer.Ca.  Full information is given on the  relative performance of the amazing 
Murata CFJ455K5 IF filter, the innovative  Slider loopstick, and a combination 
of the two improvements.  It's tough to  imagine how a modified Ultralight 
could get more exciting than this-- receiving  49 TP's (and 5 UnID's) in one night 
at Grayland. 
 
     For new DXing challenges this winter,  Ultralight DXers truly have a 
world of exciting possibilities.  Thanks  again to all who made our first year so 
enjoyable, and best wishes to all for  the most exciting season yet!
 
     73,  Gary  DeBock         
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