DX cluster software

[jazzboypro]

Hello all,

Not sure this is the right place for this question. Do any of you use a dx cluster software on your computer ? Any recommendation for a good one ?

Many thanks
73 de VA3FCS

 

[jwt873]

I use an ancient version of Ham Radio Deluxe. V5.0 (c) 2003. It was the last free version. I registered it at the time.

I only use it for the logging function and the DX cluster. The cluster is at the bottom of the logging screen. You connect with a server over the internet. When connected, all the spots pop up real time. (See the screenshot I just took below)..

HRD is connected to my radio via CAT. So if I see a spot I want to try it, all I have to do is double click on the call. The rig automatically switches to that frequency.

I don't think HRD v5.0 is available anymore.. But I'm sure the newer versions have the same functionality.

 

[jazzboypro]

Humm HRD is a bit too much for what i need. At this time i would prefer something that focus on dx cluster only. I don't mind paying if there is a good one.

 

[dimab]

If web app is ok - I use DXHeat | DXCluster & DX Research Tool

 

[Chronic]

ve7cc

VE7CC DX Cluster

 

[AK9R]

DXwatch.com and DXSummit are others to consider.

I like the heat display on DXHeat, but I like the filters on DXSummit.

 

[jazzboypro]

Nice suggestions so far. Maybe an explanation of my use case would help to narrow it down.

On FT8 20 meter i still have 8 US states to contact to achieve WAS status so at the moment I'm chasing the grid squares associated with those states.

 

[AK9R]

That's going to be a little more difficult. I did a quick look at the spots as reported by DX Summit and the majority of the spots did not have the Maidenhead grid in the spot comments. If the Maidenhead grid was always encoded in the spot, then you might be able to search for that.

Another possibility would be to use PSK Reporter to find stations on the air from the states you need.

Another suggestion...The ARRL is currently running a year-long Volunteers on the Air promotion. As part of the promotion, there will be stations operating as W1AW/portable from each state twice during the year. I believe that all of the W1AW/portable contacts are going to be uploaded to LotW. Many of those W1AW/portable activations are using FT8. The ARRL did the same thing in 2014 and I was able to complete WAS on both phone and RTTY by contacting the W1AW/portable stations. You can find the operating schedule here: ARRL Volunteers On the Air

I operated as W1AW/9 from Indiana last week on phone.

 

[jazzboypro]

That's going to be a little more difficult. I did a quick look at the spots as reported by DX Summit and the majority of the spots did not have the Maidenhead grid in the spot comments. If the Maidenhead grid was always encoded in the spot, then you might be able to search for that.

Another possibility would be to use PSK Reporter to find stations on the air from the states you need.

Another suggestion...The ARRL is currently running a year-long Volunteers on the Air promotion. As part of the promotion, there will be stations operating as W1AW/portable from each state twice during the year. I believe that all of the W1AW/portable contacts are going to be uploaded to LotW. Many of those W1AW/portable activations are using FT8. The ARRL did the same thing in 2014 and I was able to complete WAS on both phone and RTTY by contacting the W1AW/portable stations. You can find the operating schedule here: ARRL Volunteers On the Air

I operated as W1AW/9 from Indiana last week on phone.

Thanks for the tip. Just checked the schedule. There is nothing in august for any of the states i need lol.

 

[vagrant]

Use PSK Reporter as suggested.

You would be better served to simply take a look at the geographic areas "you are receiving" using your callsign on 20 meters.
Just select 20m / signals / received by / the callsign / sent/rcvd by / the callsign / VA3FCS / FT8 / 15 minutes. You will definitely need to ensure you have WSJT-X, or whatever program you are using, configured to send your data to PSK Reporter so that you can get the search results...or just simply look at the map that will populate automatically of the operator locations you receive. (Give it five minutes to push your received data) Anyways, it will continue to populate as new stations call CQ.

If there is a signal received from a particular area you need, then call CQ just for that state and hope propagation is in your favor. An example would be: CQ NV VA3FCS FN35 (or whatever your grid square is when calling for Nevada)

* More than likely more than one operator from the state you need will be using PSK Reporter as well. Just call for that particular callsign if it is in the state you need instead of the state ID. For example if you need Indiana: CQ AK9R VA3FCS FN35 (or whatever your grid square is)

 

[jazzboypro]

Use PSK Reporter as suggested.

You would be better served to simply take a look at the geographic areas "you are receiving" using your callsign on 20 meters.
Just select 20m / signals / received by / the callsign / sent/rcvd by / the callsign / VA3FCS / FT8 / 15 minutes. You will definitely need to ensure you have WSJT-X, or whatever program you are using, configured to send your data to PSK Reporter so that you can get the search results...or just simply look at the map that will populate automatically of the operator locations you receive. (Give it five minutes to push your received data) Anyways, it will continue to populate as new stations call CQ.

If there is a signal received from a particular area you need, then call CQ just for that state and hope propagation is in your favor. An example would be: CQ NV VA3FCS FN35 (or whatever your grid square is when calling for Nevada)

* More than likely more than one operator from the state you need will be using PSK Reporter as well. Just call for that particular callsign if it is in the state you need instead of the state ID. For example if you need Indiana: CQ AK9R VA3FCS FN35 (or whatever your grid square is)

No problem, I'm reporting to PSK reporter using WSJT-X. I will use this technique. Worse part is that one of those state (Maine) is one of the closest to me !!!

 

[kg4ehv]

Use DXWATCH here.

 

[littona]

Thanks for the tip. Just checked the schedule. There is nothing in august for any of the states i need lol.

What states do you need? Someone here could give you a heads-up when they're on the air.

 

[jazzboypro]

What states do you need? Someone here could give you a heads-up when they're on the air.

Alaska
Delaware
Hawaii
Maine
Montana
Rhode Island
Vermont
Wyoming

 

[vagrant]

If you are not using this site already, take a look at scheduled contests as well as a particular state QSO Party to grab up the rest of those states.

WA7BNM Contest Calendar: Home

 

[AK9R]

On FT8 20 meter i still have 8 US states to contact to achieve WAS...

Have you considered trying a different mode? While there are a lot stations using FT8, there are also a lot of stations still using CW or SSB. And, while the state or area QSO parties are a good suggestion, many of them only count CW and phone contacts, so there won't be much FT8 to snag.

 

[jazzboypro]

If you are not using this site already, take a look at scheduled contests as well as a particular state QSO Party to grab up the rest of those states.

WA7BNM Contest Calendar: Home

Thanks for the tip, it should be usefull

Have you considered trying a different mode? While there are a lot stations using FT8, there are also a lot of stations still using CW or SSB. And, while the state or area QSO parties are a good suggestion, many of them only count CW and phone contacts, so there won't be much FT8 to snag.

Yeah i could try using other modes. Since i'm only missing 8 on FT8 i just want to try and get them on that band/mode

 

[jazzboypro]

While reading on the internet i came across JTAlert. It integrates with JTDX and WSJT-X. Seems like a powerful filtering solution, I'll give it a try.

 

[alcahuete]

Generally speaking, DX Clusters aren't always terribly useful for chasing states, because they aren't DX...at least not to us. Nobody is going to put them on the cluster unless it's someone from outside the country, and they aren't necessarily putting just the rarer states on there...they're putting everything.

DXHeat is useful because it's easy to change the DX to NA, and DE to everywhere else. All the clusters should do that, but it is especially easy on DXHeat.

 

[jazzboypro]

Generally speaking, DX Clusters aren't always terribly useful for chasing states, because they aren't DX...at least not to us. Nobody is going to put them on the cluster unless it's someone from outside the country, and they aren't necessarily putting just the rarer states on there...they're putting everything.

DXHeat is useful because it's easy to change the DX to NA, and DE to everywhere else. All the clusters should do that, but it is especially easy on DXHeat.

I don't know what is considered as DX (depending one's location of course) i tend to think that being in Montreal quite a few states are not DX to me.