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The AM DX hobby goes back to the first days of radio. No doubt the first question the budding transmitter designers and builders asked was "How far does this thing get out?". So, people were out there with their homebuilt receivers trying to answer that question. Marconi got across the Atlantic. Fessenden broadcast to ships far out in the ocean. Later transmitters were more powerful, and receivers improved, all in the name of trying to increase the distance a signal could be heard. Early listeners sent "Reception Reports" which, if correct, were rewarded with a QSL, or verification of reception. Other things like Ekko stamps were added. Engineers looked forward to receiving these reports. The furthest got the bragging rights with their peers, and management could impress their advertisers. The hobby thrives to this day, with a dedicated cadre of enthusiasts using a whole new collection of equipment and techniques. Synchronous detectors, phased antenna arrays, various filters and tuners are employed. Computers keep track of databases of stations. E-mail based lists provide up to the minute tips of what stations are being heard. Propagation forecasts help with predicting expected conditions. It will be interesting to see how newer digital formats affect the hobby, for better or worse. Indeed, if the AM band even will exist once newer methods of program content delivery are invented and deployed. |
| Last update: 09 Feb 2003 |