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DX identification tricks

The technical side of broadcasting. Think IBOC is a sham? Talk about it here! How about HDTV? Post DX reports here as well.
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ZenithCKLW
Posts: 833
Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2004 11:21 am
Location: Livonia, MI

DX identification tricks

Post by ZenithCKLW » Wed Dec 12, 2018 5:35 pm

Recently, if I discover a new station that I'm trying to identify, I'll try to narrow the search by using the AM DX iPhone app, and narrowing down stations by format. Then I'll use a streaming app and try to stream the station I think I've caught. If it streams the same programming, it's likely a match. This is especially useful with foreign language stations, or stations with non-syndicated programming.

Another trick is to identify a city by traffic or weather reports, commercials, personalities and do a Google search if necessary.

My tricks don't necessarily work with shortwave though. I'd like to learn more. What are your DX identification tricks?



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Turkeytop
Posts: 8854
Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:27 pm

Re: DX identification tricks

Post by Turkeytop » Wed Dec 12, 2018 8:01 pm

If you have an inkling or suspicion as to what you might be hearing, these can help narrow it down

Radio Locator is useful for both AM and FM.

https://radio-locator.com/

For AM these pattern maps can help you track down what you might be hearing.

http://www.nf8m.com/patternmaps_day.html

http://www.nf8m.com/patternmaps_night.html

For Short wave I like this one. Just type in any frequency and it will show you everything in the world on that frequency at that time.

https://www.short-wave.info/?freq=6175


I started out with nothing and I still have most of it.

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mtburb
Posts: 293
Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2015 12:28 pm
Location: Wyandotte, 17 miles from Southfield, 38 miles from Oregon

Re: DX identification tricks

Post by mtburb » Wed Dec 12, 2018 8:05 pm

Even though TV DX isn't as terribly fun as it was in the analog age, and even PSIP reveals the call letters most of the time, this resource is still useful in case it doesn't decode enough or don't feel like waiting for commercials or news.

https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php


My furthest DTV tropo: KDKA Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at 202 miles for three days in January 2017 and a night in September 2017 with only an Antennas Direct C2V!

Current setup: Antennas Direct C2Max (2018-present)

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SolarMax
Posts: 702
Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2004 5:59 pm
Location: 313

Re: DX identification tricks

Post by SolarMax » Wed Dec 12, 2018 11:25 pm

ZenithCKLW wrote:
Wed Dec 12, 2018 5:35 pm
...I'll try to narrow the search by using the AM DX iPhone app, and narrowing down stations by format.
What is this "AM DX" iPhone app of which you speak? Searching the (U.S.) iOS App Store shows nothing like that under DX, AM, AM DX, etc. either for iPhone or iPad.
I used to have an iPhone AM station index app that ran up to iOS 5 or 6, but it was never updated past its original, so was mostly useless after a year or so.



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ZenithCKLW
Posts: 833
Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2004 11:21 am
Location: Livonia, MI

Re: DX identification tricks

Post by ZenithCKLW » Wed Dec 12, 2018 11:31 pm

SolarMax wrote:
Wed Dec 12, 2018 11:25 pm
ZenithCKLW wrote:
Wed Dec 12, 2018 5:35 pm
...I'll try to narrow the search by using the AM DX iPhone app, and narrowing down stations by format.
What is this "AM DX" iPhone app of which you speak? Searching the (U.S.) iOS App Store shows nothing like that under DX, AM, AM DX, etc. either for iPhone or iPad.
I used to have an iPhone AM station index app that ran up to iOS 5 or 6, but it was never updated past its original, so was mostly useless after a year or so.
It’s called “AM Search”. It used to go by a different name, and it did go a long time without updates. It has been updated and works on iOS 12 now. It’s a directory app with calls, city, mapping, format, power, and other details. Quite useful.

There used to be an FM version but that was paid, and stopped being updated, and now no longer works on iOS since iOS went 64-bit. No matter to me, I don’t FM DX anymore. The translators killed that for me.



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SolarMax
Posts: 702
Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2004 5:59 pm
Location: 313

Re: DX identification tricks

Post by SolarMax » Thu Dec 13, 2018 11:18 am

Found it, thanks. App Store didn’t show it when I did a partial search with just "AM" That’s the one I remember using before. Will reinstall it and give it a go again.



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