h, it is November. A nip is in the air, summer’s heat and humidity become a distant memory; Thanksgiving and the holiday season are nearing. November is also a time when we spend more time indoors, which means more time to make radio Qs (QSOs: contacts/conversations) both near and far. HF DXing (long distance radio contacts made using the high-frequency shortwave bands) is near and dear to this columnist’s heart. Antennas are a vital component to successfully work DX. Directional antennas like Yagis () and cubical quads () are DX operators’ favorite antennas because they concentrate RF (radio frequency) emissions in a desired azimuth (direction). Of course, omnidirectional HF antennas () can also work DX stations, but directional antennas make working DX, especially rare DX with hundreds trying to call the station (or a pileup), easier to put into your logbook.
