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For real-time DX reports: Check out the TV/FM Skip Log

Complete FM DX log (updated 08/03/10): Excel Spreadsheet | HTML/Webpage version
  • Total FM stations logged since July 1st, 2009: 670
8/3/10 - Still very busy, and have not reviewed and logged all my DX from the summer. A rather remarkable but not terribly productive tropo opening to IA, SD, IL on 7/30 produced some new logs, and an incomplete but semi-up-to-date logbook is now up.


What is FM DXing?

FM DXing is a hobby that involves receiving and documenting long distance reception of FM Broadcast radio signals.

Under normal conditions, even the most powerful FM Broadcast signals do not provide more than 100 miles of reliable coverage. Due to the line-of-sight nature of radio transmissions at these frequencies (88-108 MHz), signals normally continue beyond the horizon and into space, never to be heard again.

However, a few types of natural phenomena can occur in Earth's atmosphere, causing signals to be reflected back to earth at different angles, ending up hundreds, and sometimes thousands of miles away from their origins. The most common phenomean encountered by DXers in the U.S. are Tropospheric Enchancement ("tropo"), Meteor Scatter (Ms), and Sporadic E Skip (Es).

For more information on signal propagation, check out this excellent site (under "Signal Propagation") by fellow DX'er Girard Westerberg.

Why? How is this fun?

DXing in general is a fascinating, tangible way to observe the interaction between radio signals and the Earth (and occasionally beyond Earth). Various interests can be pursued through DXing, including radio (obviously), weather, atmospheric science, astronomy, and other related fields. For some, the content transmitted is also of interest.

I prefer the FM Broadcast band for its variety of challenges and opportunities. The band is open to different types of propagation (described above) that are abundant, yet somewhat unpredictable. Further challenge arises from sorting through lots of irrelevant material, like music, in search of station identification or other clues that might lead to identifying a station. In the process, it is also fascinating to hear the local culture and happenings of a variety of places in North and Central America through their radio broadcasts.

FM DXing is also very economical and accessible. Anyone can DX FM with a car radio or a decent home radio. Currently, one of the best tuners for FM DX can be bought brand new for less than $100, and with its included dipole (wire) antenna, one can easily receive plenty of DX even in the least ideal of situations.