DXing - Revision history

Strange Attractor: /* DXing equipment */ remove irrelevant sentence

2011-08-04T10:59:22Z

DXing equipment: remove irrelevant sentence

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	The use of [[car audio\|car radios]] are also popular for DXing the broadcast bands. They are often quite hot.		The use of [[car audio\|car radios]] are also popular for DXing the broadcast bands. They are often quite hot.

-	Another recent trend is for the hobbyist to employ multiple radios and antennas connected to a personal computer. Through advanced radio control software, the radios can be automatically ganged together, so that tuning one radio can tune all the others in the group. This DXing technique is sometimes referred to as [[diversity scheme\|diversity]] reception and facilitates easy "A to B" comparison of different antennas and receivers for a given signal~~. For more details on "PC Radios" or computer controlled shortwave receivers see the discussion in [[Shortwave listening]]~~.	+	Another recent trend is for the hobbyist to employ multiple radios and antennas connected to a personal computer. Through advanced radio control software, the radios can be automatically ganged together, so that tuning one radio can tune all the others in the group. This DXing technique is sometimes referred to as [[diversity scheme\|diversity]] reception and facilitates easy "A to B" comparison of different antennas and receivers for a given signal.

	Having a minimum of two [[Dipole antenna]] at right angles to each other, for example, one running North-South and one running East-West can produce dramatically different reception patterns. These simple antennas can be made for a few dollars worth of wire and a couple of insulators.		Having a minimum of two [[Dipole antenna]] at right angles to each other, for example, one running North-South and one running East-West can produce dramatically different reception patterns. These simple antennas can be made for a few dollars worth of wire and a couple of insulators.

ChrisSmolinski at 16:25, 2 February 2011

2011-02-02T16:25:31Z

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	Serious hobbyists use more elaborate receivers designed specifically for pulling in distant signals, and often build their own antennas specifically designed for a specific frequency band. There is much discussion and debate in the hobby about the relative merits of lesser priced shortwave receivers vs. their multi-thousand dollar "big brother" radios. In general, a good desktop or "PC Radio" will be able to "hear" just about what a very expensive high-performance receiver can receive. The difference between the two types of radio comes into play during difficult band or reception conditions. The expensive receiver will have more filtering options and usually better adjacent channel interference blocking, sometimes resulting in the difference of being able to receive or not receive a signal under tough conditions. For broadcast type international broadcasts there will be little noticeable difference between the two radios. An example of a high-end shortwave receiver currently being manufactured is the Ten-Tec [http://radio.tentec.com/Commercial/RX340 RX-340].		Serious hobbyists use more elaborate receivers designed specifically for pulling in distant signals, and often build their own antennas specifically designed for a specific frequency band. There is much discussion and debate in the hobby about the relative merits of lesser priced shortwave receivers vs. their multi-thousand dollar "big brother" radios. In general, a good desktop or "PC Radio" will be able to "hear" just about what a very expensive high-performance receiver can receive. The difference between the two types of radio comes into play during difficult band or reception conditions. The expensive receiver will have more filtering options and usually better adjacent channel interference blocking, sometimes resulting in the difference of being able to receive or not receive a signal under tough conditions. For broadcast type international broadcasts there will be little noticeable difference between the two radios. An example of a high-end shortwave receiver currently being manufactured is the Ten-Tec [http://radio.tentec.com/Commercial/RX340 RX-340].

-	The use of [[car audio\|car radios]] are also popular for DXing the broadcast bands.	+	The use of [[car audio\|car radios]] are also popular for DXing the broadcast bands. They are often quite hot.

	Another recent trend is for the hobbyist to employ multiple radios and antennas connected to a personal computer. Through advanced radio control software, the radios can be automatically ganged together, so that tuning one radio can tune all the others in the group. This DXing technique is sometimes referred to as [[diversity scheme\|diversity]] reception and facilitates easy "A to B" comparison of different antennas and receivers for a given signal. For more details on "PC Radios" or computer controlled shortwave receivers see the discussion in [[Shortwave listening]].		Another recent trend is for the hobbyist to employ multiple radios and antennas connected to a personal computer. Through advanced radio control software, the radios can be automatically ganged together, so that tuning one radio can tune all the others in the group. This DXing technique is sometimes referred to as [[diversity scheme\|diversity]] reception and facilitates easy "A to B" comparison of different antennas and receivers for a given signal. For more details on "PC Radios" or computer controlled shortwave receivers see the discussion in [[Shortwave listening]].

Strange Attractor: /* SINPO report */

2010-08-27T14:35:57Z

SINPO report

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	Usually a [[QSL]] card will have a picture on one side and the reception data on the other. Most of the broadcasters will use pictures and messages indicating their country's culture or technological life.		Usually a [[QSL]] card will have a picture on one side and the reception data on the other. Most of the broadcasters will use pictures and messages indicating their country's culture or technological life.

-	==SINPO report ==	+	==SINPO and reception report ==
-		+	After listening to a broadcast, the listener writes a report with [[SINPO]] values, typically including his geographical location (called QTH in amateur radio teminology) in longitude and latitude, a brief description of the programme listened to, their opinion about it, suggestions if any, and so on.
-	~~[[SINPO]] stands for the following qualities, graded on a scale of 1 to 5, where '1' means the quality was very bad and '5' very good.<br />~~	+
-		+
-	~~S - Signal strength<br/>~~	+
-	~~I - Interference with other stations or broadcasters<br/>~~	+
-	~~N - Noise ratio in the received signal<br/>~~	+
-	~~P - Propagation (ups and downs of the reception)<br/>~~	+
-	~~O - Overall merit <br/>~~	+
-		+
-	Although this is a subjective measure, with practise the grading becomes more consistent, and a particular broadcast may be assessed by several listeners from the same area, in which case the broadcaster could assess correspondence between reports.	+
-		+
-	After listening to a broadcast, the listener writes a report with SINPO values, typically including his geographical location (called QTH in amateur radio teminology) in longitude and latitude, a brief description of the programme listened to, their opinion about it, suggestions if any, and so on.	+
-		+
-	~~The listener can send the report to the broadcaster either by post or email, and request verification (QSL) from them.~~	+
-		+
-	~~Variants of this report are:~~	+
-	~~a) the SIO report which omits the Noise and Propagation,~~	+
-	~~b) grading on a scale of 1 to 3 (instead of 1 to 5) and~~	+
-	~~c) the SINFO report where the F stands for fading~~.	+

	== DX Communication ==		== DX Communication ==

Strange Attractor: cartoon

2010-08-27T08:49:15Z

cartoon

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		+	[[Image:SWL-1920s.png\|right\|border\|250px]]
	'''DXing''' is the hobby of tuning in and identifying distant radio or television signals, or making two way radio contact with distant stations in [[amateur radio]], [[citizens' band radio]] or other two way radio communications. Many DXers (or [[SWL]]s) also attempt to receive written verifications of reception (sometimes referred to as "[[QSL]]s" or "veries") from the stations heard. The name of the hobby comes from DX, telegraphic shorthand for "distance" or "distant".<sup>(1)</sup>		'''DXing''' is the hobby of tuning in and identifying distant radio or television signals, or making two way radio contact with distant stations in [[amateur radio]], [[citizens' band radio]] or other two way radio communications. Many DXers (or [[SWL]]s) also attempt to receive written verifications of reception (sometimes referred to as "[[QSL]]s" or "veries") from the stations heard. The name of the hobby comes from DX, telegraphic shorthand for "distance" or "distant".<sup>(1)</sup>

Strange Attractor: /* Shortwave DX */

2010-08-21T12:34:48Z

Shortwave DX

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	=== Shortwave DX ===		=== Shortwave DX ===
-		+	[[Image:Funkstelle BerlinNikolassee stamp.jpg\|right\|130px]]
	Especially during wartime and times of conflict, reception of international broadcasters, whose signals propagate around the world on the HF (shortwave) bands has been popular with both casual listeners and DXing hobbyists.		Especially during wartime and times of conflict, reception of international broadcasters, whose signals propagate around the world on the HF (shortwave) bands has been popular with both casual listeners and DXing hobbyists.

Strange Attractor: /* DXing equipment */

2010-08-21T07:11:00Z

DXing equipment

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	== DXing equipment ==		== DXing equipment ==
-		+	[[Image:Nrd545.gif\|thumb\|right\|The JRC NRD-545 is a semi-professional receiver used by serious DXers]]
	Radio equipment used in DXing ranges from inexpensive portable receivers to deluxe equipment costing thousands of dollars. Using just a simple AM radio, one can easily hear signals from the most powerful stations propagating hundreds of miles at night. Even an inexpensive shortwave radio can receive signals emanating from several countries during any time of day.		Radio equipment used in DXing ranges from inexpensive portable receivers to deluxe equipment costing thousands of dollars. Using just a simple AM radio, one can easily hear signals from the most powerful stations propagating hundreds of miles at night. Even an inexpensive shortwave radio can receive signals emanating from several countries during any time of day.

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	Having a minimum of two [[Dipole antenna]] at right angles to each other, for example, one running North-South and one running East-West can produce dramatically different reception patterns. These simple antennas can be made for a few dollars worth of wire and a couple of insulators.		Having a minimum of two [[Dipole antenna]] at right angles to each other, for example, one running North-South and one running East-West can produce dramatically different reception patterns. These simple antennas can be made for a few dollars worth of wire and a couple of insulators.
-
-

	==References==		==References==

Strange Attractor: /* QSL cards */

2010-08-21T07:07:54Z

QSL cards

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:07, 21 August 2010
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	== QSL cards ==		== QSL cards ==
-		+	[[Image:PAT-499-QSL.jpg\|thumb\|right\|QSL card from pirate beacon PAT on 499 kHz]]
	One of the interesting sides of DXing as a hobby is collecting QSL cards (acknowledgement cards from the broadcaster) confirming the listener's reception report (sometimes called SINPO report-see next section).		One of the interesting sides of DXing as a hobby is collecting QSL cards (acknowledgement cards from the broadcaster) confirming the listener's reception report (sometimes called SINPO report-see next section).

Strange Attractor: /* AM radio DX */

2010-08-10T11:21:55Z

AM radio DX

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:21, 10 August 2010
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	Early radio listeners, often using home made [[crystal set]]s and long wire antennas, found radio stations few and far between. With the broadcast bands uncrowded, signals of the most powerful stations could be heard over hundreds of miles, but weaker signals required more precise tuning or better receiving gear.		Early radio listeners, often using home made [[crystal set]]s and long wire antennas, found radio stations few and far between. With the broadcast bands uncrowded, signals of the most powerful stations could be heard over hundreds of miles, but weaker signals required more precise tuning or better receiving gear.

-	By the 1950s, and continuing through the mid 1970s, many of the most powerful [[North ~~America]]n~~ "~~[[Clear-channel stations\|~~clear channel]]" stations such as [[KDKA (AM)\|KDKA]], [[WLW]], [[CKLW]], [[CHUM]], [[WABC (AM)\|WABC]], [[WJR]], [[WLS (AM)\|WLS]], [[WWKB\|WKBW]], [[KFI]], [[KAAY]], [[KSL]] and a host of [[border blaster]]s from [[Mexico]] pumped out [[Top 40]] music played by popular [[disc ~~jockey]]s~~. As most smaller, local [[AM radio]] stations had to sign off at night, the big 50 ~~[[kilowatt\|~~kW]] stations had loyal listeners hundreds of miles away.	+	By the 1950s, and continuing through the mid 1970s, many of the most powerful North American "clear channel" stations such as [[KDKA (AM)\|KDKA]], [[WLW]], [[CKLW]], [[CHUM]], [[WABC (AM)\|WABC]], [[WJR]], [[WLS (AM)\|WLS]], [[WWKB\|WKBW]], [[KFI]], [[KAAY]], [[KSL]] and a host of [[border blaster]]s from Mexico pumped out Top 40 music played by popular disc jockeys. As most smaller, local AM radio stations had to sign off at night, the big 50 kW stations had loyal listeners hundreds of miles away.

-	The popularity of DXing the medium-wave band has diminished as the [[popular music]] formats quickly migrated to the clearer, though less propagating, [[FM radio]] beginning in the 1970s. Meanwhile, the MW band in the [[United States]] was getting more and more crowded with new stations and existing stations receiving [[~~Federal Communications Commission\|~~FCC ~~authorization~~]] to operate at night. In [[Canada]], just the opposite occurred as AM stations began moving to FM beginning in the 1980s and continuing through today.	+	The popularity of DXing the medium-wave band has diminished as the popular music formats quickly migrated to the clearer, though less propagating, FM radio beginning in the 1970s. Meanwhile, the AM band in the United States was getting more and more crowded with new stations and existing stations receiving [[FCC]] authorization to operate at night. In Canada, just the opposite occurred as AM stations began moving to FM beginning in the 1980s and continuing through today.
-		+
-	Outside of the Americas and Australia, most AM radio broadcasting was in the form of synchronous networks of government-operated stations, operating with hundreds, even thousands of kilowatts of power. Still, the lower powered stations and occasional trans-oceanic signal were popular DX targets. <sup>(2)</sup>	+

		+	Outside of the Americas and Australia, most AM radio broadcasting was in the form of synchronous networks of government-operated stations, operating with hundreds, even thousands of kilowatts of power. Still, the lower powered stations and occasional trans-oceanic signal were popular [[DXing\|DX]] targets. <sup>(2)</sup>

	=== Shortwave DX ===		=== Shortwave DX ===

Strange Attractor: /* DX Station */

2010-08-05T19:38:52Z

DX Station

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	== DX Station ==		== DX Station ==

-	Although the classic definition of DX is "[[distance]]", today it generally means contacting [[amateur radio]] stations in far-away places. On the ~~[[high frequency\|~~HF]] (~~also known as [[~~shortwave]]) bands, DX stations are those in ~~foreign [[country\|countries]]~~. On the ~~[[very high frequency\|~~VHF]]/~~[[ultra high frequency\|~~UHF]] bands, DX stations can be within the same [[country]] or [[continent]], since making a long-distance VHF contact, without the help of a [[satellite]], can be very difficult.	+	Although the classic definition of DX is "distance", today it generally means contacting [[amateur radio]] stations in far-away places. On the HF (shortwave) bands, DX stations are those in other continents. On the VHF/UHF bands, DX stations can be within the same country or continent, since making a long-distance VHF contact, without the help of a satellite, can be very difficult.

-	For award purposes, other areas than just political [[countries]] can be classified as "DX countries". For example, the French protectorate of [[Reunion Island]] in the [[Indian Ocean]] is counted as a DX country, even though it is a ~~[[Regions~~ of France~~\|region of France]]~~. The rules for determining what is a DX country can be quite complex and to avoid ~~potential confusion~~, ~~radio amateurs often use~~ the term ''entity'' instead of country. In addition to entities, some awards are based on [[island]] groups in the world's [[oceans]]. On the ~~[[very high frequency\|~~VHF]]/~~[[ultra high frequency\|~~UHF]] bands, many radio amateurs pursue awards based on [[Maidenhead grid locator]]s.	+	For award purposes, other areas than just political countries can be classified as "DX countries" or "DX entities". For example, the French protectorate of Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean is counted as a DX country, even though it is a Region of France. The rules for determining what is a DX country can be quite complex and to avoid political implications, the [[American Radio Relay League]] currently uses the term ''entity'' instead of country. In addition to countries/entities, some awards, most notably the prestigious IOTA award, are based on island groups in the world's open seas and oceans. On the VHF/UHF bands, many radio amateurs pursue awards based on [[Maidenhead grid locator]]s.

	For the most rare locations, [[DX-pedition]]s are often organized to allow radio amateurs to "work a new one".		For the most rare locations, [[DX-pedition]]s are often organized to allow radio amateurs to "work a new one".
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	There are frequent [[contesting\|contests]] where radio amateurs operate their stations on certain dates for a fixed period of time to try to communicate with as many DX stations as possible.		There are frequent [[contesting\|contests]] where radio amateurs operate their stations on certain dates for a fixed period of time to try to communicate with as many DX stations as possible.

-	In addition, many [[clubs]] offer awards for communicating with a certain number of DX stations. For example, the [[American Radio Relay League~~\|ARRL~~]] offers the [[DX Century Club]] award~~, or [[~~DXCC]]. The basic certificate is awarded for working and confirming at least 100 entities on the [http://www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc/dxcclist.txt ARRL DXCC List].	+	In addition, many clubs and radio societies offer awards for communicating with a certain number of DX stations. For example, the [[American Radio Relay League]] (ARRL) offers the [[DX Century Club]] award (DXCC). The basic certificate is awarded for working and confirming at least 100 entities on the [http://www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc/dxcclist.txt ARRL DXCC List].

	== DX Clubs ==		== DX Clubs ==

Strange Attractor at 18:31, 5 August 2010

2010-08-05T18:31:22Z

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-	'''DXing''' is the hobby of tuning in and identifying distant radio or television signals, or making two way radio contact with distant stations in [[amateur radio]], [[citizens' band radio]] or other two way radio communications. Many DXers (or [[SWL]]s]]) also attempt to receive written verifications of reception (sometimes referred to as "[[QSL]]s" or "veries") from the stations heard. The name of the hobby comes from DX, telegraphic shorthand for "distance" or "distant".<sup>(1)</sup>	+	'''DXing''' is the hobby of tuning in and identifying distant radio or television signals, or making two way radio contact with distant stations in [[amateur radio]], [[citizens' band radio]] or other two way radio communications. Many DXers (or [[SWL]]s) also attempt to receive written verifications of reception (sometimes referred to as "[[QSL]]s" or "veries") from the stations heard. The name of the hobby comes from DX, telegraphic shorthand for "distance" or "distant".<sup>(1)</sup>

	== DXing on the broadcast bands ==		== DXing on the broadcast bands ==