Get Started!
By Achraf, 3V4-002, MDXC#235

What's DX?
DX means long distance, and 'listening to DX' means listening to a far station.
ShortWave Listeners (SWL) are always looking for DX, as it is a big pleasure for them to listen to a signal coming from 10000 km or even more.

What we listen to?
We listen to amateur radio signals on Shortwave (listen to TS7N Kerkennah Is. 26/11/2003 at 23:15 UTC on 7.057MHz).

What's an amateur radio?
An amateur radio is someone how has a liscence from the authorities to communicate with other amateurs, using radio waves. So, an amateur radio should have a Transmitter (to send signals) and a Receiver (to receive signals), so called Transceiver (Transmitter/Receiver).

Why we don't listen to Amateurs anywhere?
Amateurs have their ranges of frequencies (bands) where they are allowed to use. these bands are planned by the IARU (International Amateur Radio Union) and the ITU (International Telecommunication Union).

What's the goal of the hobby?
SWLing has a technical aspect; how to build antennas, propaguation phenominas, receiver's electronics... and the goal is one; listening to DX and listening to all the world.

Shall I have a special receiver so I can listen to Amateurs?
Yes, you should have a receiver which have SSB capabilities (Single Side Band; Lower LSB and Upper USB). The receiver you use to listen to Shortwave broadcasts such BBC.. usually have only AM mode reception.

What Antenna?
There are numerous sites in the Net, also books, talking about building antennas. You can refer to it and choose the appropriate antenna for you.

What else..?
You can send a Listening Report to the heard stations, so they send you a confirmation card (called QSL Card) which confirms that you really listened to this station.
You can also participate in some SWL contests and win some Awards (and decorate your shack wall with).

"...Most of the results will come from practise and patience !" (Jan, NL997)

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