SFDXA DX University Curriculum

1. DXU\Class-1-Working_DX-
How to work DX on HF
What’s needed to work DX
Handling a pileup
How to call DX
Working split

2. DXU\Class-2-Information-
How and where to get DX information
References: books, web sites
Near-real-time information: DX bulletins & publications, email reflectors, web sites
Real-time information:  Packet cluster system, chat sites

3. DXU\Class-3-Antennas Part-1
Optimum antenna height
How much DX one can expect to work in a year, with a given antenna system
RF safety
Antenna modeling

4. DXU\Class-4-QSLing
How to QSL.  Paper QSLs:  direct, via manager, via QSL bureaus, via QSL forwarders
Your card design
Sending return postage:  “Green Stamps,” International Reply Coupons, foreign postage
How to avoid postal thieves
Electronic QSLs:  LoTW, eQSL

5. DXU\Class-5-Propagation
Operation of the ionosphere, and common myths about its behavior
Causes of ionospheric variation. Monthly smoothed sunspot number
Solar Flux Index.  k-index.  Real-time information
Propagation prediction software

6. DXU\Class-6-Contesting
The fun of contesting
The “big four” contests
Utility to Dxers
The wide range of contests available

7. DXU\Class-7-Antennas Part-2
Wire antennas:  Dipoles, G5RV
Horizontal arrays:  Yagis, quads
Verticals:  ¼-wave, Other arrays

8. DXU\Class-8-Smith Charts
The Smith Chart as a graphical aid for impedance matching.
Impedance, admittance, VSWR, voltage reflection coefficient, Q.