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| Recent Events / Updates For real-time DX reports: Check out the TV/FM Skip Log Complete FM DX log (updated 2/10/12): Excel Spreadsheet | HTML/Webpage version
2/10/12 - Another spreadsheet update. I am way behind and don't have as much time for the hobby as I did, but still very much active. Reviewing audio for every new log is a bit too much at this point, so I will be sacraficing that and only adding audio to my logbook for significant logs. This allows me to add stations to my log as I hear them, and save the several hours I'd spend after every opening, reviewing audio and notes and putting all that information into the logbook after the fact. The result of that was that I simply would never get around to logging stations... I figure I have missed at least 50-100 logs because of that. I have also stretched my hobby free time more thinly as I live at a rental house where I have a much more substantial ham radio setup. I'm currently active on 40, 17, 15, 10, 6 and 2 meters. Using a horizontal fan dipole for 40, 17, and 15, and a vertical dipole for 10 meters. VHF antennas are a 6 meter "loop" antenna and a 10 element beam for 2 meter weak signal. Running 100w on all bands. Look for K4NBF, my new call sign, on the ham bands, would love to work you!
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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 phenomena 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. Even the top-of-the line tuners for home use can be obtained for less than $200. With just a basic wire (dipole) antenna in a decent location, you can receive many hundreds of stations over time. |