THE LURE OF DXING.

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 12, 2 October 1931, Page 4

THE LURE OF DXING.

[N these days we hear much about dxing, in fact the term has become almost a byword in radio parlance. The word has an interesting origin. In the early days of telegraphy in America all long-distance lines were worked upon the duplex principle-a system embodying the tise of one line instead of many-and so the term, "dx," a contraction of "duplex," became associated with long-distance telegraphy. When radio became popular as a hobby many American telegraphists became radio transmitters, and hence the adoption of the term "dx" by radio amateurs. The term "duplex" was gradually lost and dx came to signify distance as applied to radio communications. In the earlier days dx work was restricted to an enthusiastic few, but with the development of radio as a means of entertainment, greater numbers became interested in distance reception until everyone owning a powerful set is more or less interested in dx. There is something fascinating about the pastime; there are thrills incomprehensible to those who have never gone beyond their local stations. The thought that in one’s own home it is possible to listen to music and speech from a studio thousands of miles way, perhaps in America. Asia, or even Europe, has kept many a listener for hours at his receiver trying to explore farther and farther afield. Herein lies the lure of dxing. TO a large extent, dxing is dependent upon atmospheric conditions which are both daily and seasonal in variation, The last two seasons have been unusually favourable, so much so that it is becoming quite common for New Zealand listeners to receive on broadcast stations in England and Europe-a truly remarkable achievement. In New Zealand the growth of dxing as a hobby may be traced back. some three years or more to the days when the five or six-valve battery set was the height of the ambition of the listener who: wanted to explore. the ether. In those days the reception of KFOX, Longbeach, Califoritia, was something to be marvelled at. Nowadays to have a log of some thirty American stations is quite common, and there are few logs that do not include Japanese and Indian stations, This advance-

ment has been due to two factors: firstly, the increase in efficiency of modern ‘sets; and, secondly, growth in numbers and power of broadcasting stations. About three years ago it was a powerful station that radiated 5 kilowatts of power; nowadays it is not uncommon for stations to transmit on 50, 100, and even 500 kilowatts of power. Dxers have much in common, and it is not surprising to see that in all parts of the world they are forming themselves into various clubs and associations. Several of these are of world-wide membership and the fraternity existing among the members is a great factor in promoting international understanding.