[bars] RIT Boom!

[Christopher Lennon]

All good advice.

I have used split but only in structured ways like for QRP Fox Hunts where
the Fox expects to be looking up a kHz or so.

Of the items on Jim's list the only thing I do regularly is modify my code
speed.  Mostly I try to match the CQ speed.  One of the knobs on my
transceiver is programmable, and I have it mapped to code speed, so I can
do that without a lot of fiddling.

Chris
W2BPL


Sent from my phone.

On Sat, Sep 27, 2025, 12:51 PM Scott Ginsburg <k1oa at k1oa.com> wrote:

> Chris,
>
> Adding to Jim’s excellent CW pileup advice I would also recommend using
> the second VFO if you have one in your radio and enabling split mode. The
> typical setup is to listen to the DX station on VFO A and use VFO B for
> your transmit frequency. Some splits are large enough to be beyond the
> range of XIT.
>
> The ideal configuration is to mix the audio from both VFOs in your
> headphones so you can simultaneously hear when the DX is listening for a
> call and monitor the pileup while you tune VFO B for your next transmission.
>
> A popular pileup technique is to continually tune just beyond the last
> caller’s frequency, especially if you’re not running high power. I’ve also
> had success going 5 or even 10 kHz above the pileup where nobody is
> transmitting. Call there for a while and if you don’t have success move
> down 1 kHz at a time toward the edge of the pileup. If you have a spectrum
> display this can help you find the clear frequencies high up in the pileup.
>
> It’s a lot of listening and learning the DX station’s pattern as Jim
> points out. Low power DXing is a real challenge but VERY rewarding when you
> get ‘em in the log!
>
> gl and 73,
> Scott K1OA
>
>
> > On Sep 27, 2025, at 10:14 AM, Christopher Lennon via bars <bars at w1hh.org>
> wrote:
> > 
> > My rig is just 20W to a piece of wet string, so I struggle to break
> through pileups when operating CW.  This morning I was struggling as usual
> when I decided to try the Receiver Incremental Tuning (RIT) feature.  I
> tuned off the CQer by 30 Hz and then used the RIT to make it up on
> receive.  So I was transmitting high to him by 30 Hz.  Boom I got right
> in!
> >
> > I used the RIT trick with 30 to 50 Hz a few more times this morning.  It
> didn't always work first time, but it was much better than my average rate
> of breaking in.
> >
> > I've known about RIT all along, but I didn't think it was worth the
> fiddling around.  Definitely worth a try.
> >
> > Chris
> > W2BPL
> >
> > Sent from my phone.
> > _______________________________________________
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> > bars at w1hh.org
> > http://mail.w1hh.org/mailman/listinfo/bars_w1hh.org
>
>
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