WHAT DO I NEED ?

So you want to explore the exciting world of DX'ing. Good for you. You will not only have fun, but you will learn a lot about geography.

Since the FM DX season is about to bust, let's start with FM DX'ing

One of the first questions a newcomer to the hobby asks is, “What kind of equipment do I need?”

The answer depends on what you want to listen to.

For FM reception, any good middle to high end tuner will work. However, RDS is a MUST have for serious DX'ing.

“RDS” stands for “Radio Data System” and it allows FM broadcasters to send far more than just an analog audio signal out over the air. Using a 'hidden sub carrier, (57khz) stations can transmit digital RDS data for reception by RDS equipped FM tuners. This technology opens up a whole new range of information that helps the DX'er identify stations.

Here are some RDS screen shots taken from my home tuner.

W Z D M Vincinnes Indiana, as received in Ocala Florida

I've had a lot of different radios over the years.

 HALLICRAFTERS S-38 C

 HALLICRAFTERS S-38E

 HAMMARLUND HQ-145

 And the BEST of the LARGE tube radios - HAMMARLUND HQ-180a

Now I use a DRAKE R-8A for AM AND SHORT WAVE DX.

For FM DX I have a Denon TU150RD tuner

 and an Audio Design Associates HD-Pro Tuner 

(unfortunately, these two tuners are no longer made.)

For portable outside AM DX I have a professional Potomic FIM-41 Field Strength Meter. (This is used by Broadcast Engineers to measure their AM signal strength.) 

I recently added a 'Software Defined Tuner' to my computer. I am still learning the in's and out's of the software, It looks like it may work GREAT. (More on that later)

 Above is our 102.3 local station (WXUS) you see the main signal and the HD signal to the left and right of the main.

AIR SPY S.D.R. RADIOS

Having an HD radio is nice for quality listening, but not required for DX'ing.

“HD” is the all digital transmission that allows a station to have their main channel in HD as well as several 'sub channels' with different programming. (Much like HD Over the Air TV)

One example is our local WXUS 102.3. They have a Country Rock format on their main channel, and an Oldies format on their Sub channel. 102.3-2

(Side Note, or useless information)  102.3 was owned at one time by Asterisk Radio Group. They hired me to come to Florida in 1989 and build the studios and transmitter site when they moved from Dunellon to Ocala....I never went back to Indiana.

What about the antenna ??

For serious DX'ing, an outdoor antenna (with a rotor) is at the top of the list. On a portable FM tuner with a whip antenna I may get a Orlando station, but that's all I receive. With an outdoor antenna and rotor, I can turn the antenna towards Jacksonville and receive their station on the same frequency. Then I can turn it towards Tampa and get another station.

The type of antenna depends on your budget and any local restrictions. In my case, I moved to a 55+ community three years ago. They allow one outdoor antenna no higher than 25 feet. That works well for me.

For my use, I bought a HD Stacker antenna combo (VHF/UHF) antenna that also works on FM.

DENNY'S ANTENNA SERVICE

If you only have a portable radio and whip antenna, do not despair. You can still get a ton of DX with it and have fun doing it.

I remember when I was in high school, I was at our lake cottage in Ontario and received tons of FM DX with a portable radio while sitting in a boat, fishing.

So now you have your tuner and antenna. “Now what ??” you ask.

Start by tuning to 88.1 and do what we DX'ers call a “Band Scan” Make note of all the stations you receive in frequency order. If you have a rotor, turn it in an opposite direction while listening. You may be amazed. You need to get to know the band. To know what “Normal” reception is like. Make a list and keep it handy. I do a new Band Scan at the beginning of each DX Season.

“What is the DX Season?”

Many DX'ers DX year round. There is always something to listen to. For me, I keep the FM tuner on 24/7 from April thru August.

Then I turn on the AM radio until April.

Even in the winter I keep my eyes on the internet for alerts of possible DX in my region. (more on that later)

How do signals arrive at my antenna??

There are three main ways:

Ground Wave. Stations heard by ground wave are your local radio and TV stations, which are heard more-or-less all of the time regardless of reception conditions. Here in Florida, I receive Orlando, Jacksonville and Tampa on a regular basis. Signals heard via groundwave are strong and usually have complete RDS and HD Radio (assuming stations run either service)

Tropo. This method of DXing brings in stations from areas not normally in your reception range of locals. Tropo is typically reliant on local weather conditions and occurs in the warmer months. High pressure systems are usually the basis for good DX reception. Stalled weather fronts and other phenomenon may produce stellar tropo ‘ducts,’ which could bring in stations up to 1000 miles away while excluding closer signals on the same frequency. Being in Florida, I live in a tropo heaven.

Here are 3 good resources

DAILY TROPO MAP

DX MAPS 
 

144 MHZ MAP

(as you can see- signals are flying in Florida)

When tropo is good, I can receive stations from South Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, and more.

Sporadic E-Skip (Es): This is the FUN ONE. No one knows exactly how this occurs. Common research suggests a ‘cloud’ of ionization in the E-layer of the atmosphere acts like a mirror to reflect signals back to the earth with distances of 500-1500 miles away, often with clear local-like reception. Stations received by Es , although strong, are typically characterized by having rapid fading, sudden dropouts, or are mixed in with other signals. Sporadic E openings tend to pop up in the late morning (9 a.m. to noon) and early evening (5-9 p.m.) hours in the warmer months but can happen at any time or day of the year.

Also possible is Meteor Scatter Skip : As a meteor hit the upper atmosphere, an FM signal can bounce off of it and hit you antenna. This type of reception may only last a second or two, so you have to be quick o the draw. And getting an ID on one is at best, harder than you can imagine. And to be honest, I have never received a station in this manner.

As this is written (the end of April 2020) the FM DX Season is almost in full swing. The is plenty of Tropo Ducting. And we have already had one good day of Sporadic E Skip, where I logged two stations in Mexico and a few in the mid-west.

Let's look at the next few months of the FM DX Season and see what we can expect.

MAY: Look for some decent tropospheric  ducting during May, especially in the Midwest, East and Southeast states. The Sporadic E season will be in full swing, with intense all day openings. (we hope) May is also a good month for Meteor Scatter.

JUNE: June may be the BEST month for FM (and TV DX) Tropospheric Ducting is common during June, sometime producing openings out to 1000 miles, and more. Spoadic E activity will be at it's peak during June. It's not uncommon to see all day Sporadic E DX.

JULY: July is also a fantastic FM and TV DX month/ Sporadic Ducting is normal in the Midwest and Eastern States, bringing in stations from up to 1000 miles away, Sporadic E is usually good during July, with intense openings possible. There are also a few Meteor Shows you can explore.

AUGUST: Sporadic E season is winding down , but you may find some decent openings. August also offers some great tropo openings, especially in the mornings and early evenings. The Perseid's meteor shower also come into play during August.

I know is a lot of information to take in. But give it a try,

Next time, we'll talk about keeping track of your DX .

Live long and prosper.