How NOT to use a DX Cluster

Are you kidding me? Something like this just makes my blood boil. I hate to call anyone out by callsign, but what I'm about to show you is a textbook example of how NOT to use a DX spotting cluster. So if I call someone out by callsign and it makes them mad, so be it.

Take a look at this screen capture of spots from DX Summit this evening.

Now take a closer look at this one spot.

What's wrong with this picture? First, most of us would consider it to be in very poor taste to post a spot bragging about a contact you made with another station. Take a look at the callsigns at the top of the Honor Roll. Do you see them posting spots about who they just worked? No, they let their record speak for itself. Second, this fellow brags about a QSO he made LAST NIGHT. 3C0C was not even on 40 meters when this person decided to post his spot AN ENTIRE DAY LATER. If anything, he should've chosen to brag about it LAST NIGHT when he actually made the contact.

But the biggest flaw in what he did was this - he managed to set everyone's spotting alarm off for 3C0C by posting a spot on a valid frequency. Some of us - probably a lot of us - have these alerts set up to go to logging programs, cell phones, pagers, Blackberrys or iPhones. So off we rush to check out 40 meters for 3C0C, only to discover that some bonehead posted a spot bragging about a QSO he made the night before.

Heck, let's say his intention wasn't to brag, but was to let everyone know to be on the lookout for 3C0C on 40 meters at such and such time...or if he was just hellbent on bragging, there's a way to do it. It's called making an announcement. OR, if he didn't know how to do that (or didn't want to take the time to learn), he could've posted his spot and used a frequency that's "out of bounds". He could've posted for 7.000 or 14.000 and bragged all he wanted. That way he wouldn't have made everyone's alarms go off.

Or look so foolish.

Poor sportsmanship

I know that whenever a good DXpedition comes on that it will always bring out the worst. Part of the challenge is trying to work through those clowns. In some cases, that becomes the greatest challenge.

So is the case with 3C0C.

It must be extremely frustrating to invest your time, your money, and your hard work, only to have a bunch of idiots get on the air and do everything possible to interfere with your efforts. Not to mention the investments from DX clubs, DX organizations, and manufacturers that offer their financial support, equipment, and advice. This sad spectacle reminds me of FT5GA last year and the intentional and perpetual QRM. Generally the deliberate QRM'ers gradually fade away after a few days as more people make it through. That never seemed to happen with FT5GA. And so far it doesn't seem to be easing up with 3C0C.

In fairness there seems to be a few reasons to do a bit of head-scratching. If one contrasts 3C0C's operating habits with the recent DXpedition to Palestine, E4X, you kind of wonder what their game plan is and why they're showing up where they are and when they are. Many times E4X produced a signal here that seemed almost local, quite strong. Without comparing setups in detail, I have a hunch that E4X had a firm grip on propagation and made the most of it by selecting the optimum bands and modes. I read where 3C0C does not have internet access from Annobon Island, so one must presume that they determine what paths are open by listening and not by looking at real-time information or where they're being spotted. You have to assume they're doing the best they can.

Also, it isn't fair to compare a two-man setup with a nine-man setup. Once you start running QSO's with just two guys, there isn't anyone else who can tune around or spell you while you investigate other paths that may be open.

Nevertheless, 3C0C's signal has been extremely weak here since they started and often unreadable except for very quiet moments, and the frequency cops are ensuring that there's not many of those. I hope that they are concentrating on working other parts of the world right now and intend to focus more on North America later on.