Tuesday, February 21, 2012

DX Fun Web Cluster

DX Fun Web Cluster is in essence a "chatroom" or node into which amateur radio DXers can post information about DX either worked or heard. Physically, it is a central computer that collects, stores and disseminates information that ham radio operators send to it. There are thousands of nodes around the world, connected together via the internet or radio. Connection to a cluster is by either telnet or packet radio. The networked nature of DX clusters is perhaps its most powerful feature as it gives amateurs almost instant access to information about rare and unusual DX conditions such as meteor scatter or VHF ducting.

Cluster users will use computer software (for example, many logging programs have this capability) that is capable of communicating with the cluster. On initial login, users will be asked to provide station information. This allows other ham radio operators to compare DX openings to their physical position. DX is one of the most fascinating aspects of the hobby.