In this letter to the editor, Karl Zuk responds to the Signal Spot column, “The 10 Ways to Maximize Your FM DX in 2026.” Radio World welcomes letters to the editor on this or any story. Email [email protected].
Thank you for the recent piece highlighting the nuances of tracking down elusive signals. It got me thinking about my own experiences with VHF DXing, amateur radio experiments and the unique strategies required when signals start bouncing from high above.
Admittedly, many hobbyists focus heavily on towering masts and high-gain directional antennas. However, when it comes to E-skip, the rules of the game change entirely.
Because E-skip signals essentially beam down from the wonderland above the Earth, they completely scramble their polarization. In these conditions, high-end log periodics and Yagis can actually end up behaving like omnidirectional antennas.
Furthermore, I have found that low antennas can often outperform those mounted on high towers. A low antenna naturally attenuates conventional, local signals because physical surroundings block their path. I used to DX analog low-band TV using this exact method — just throwing a simple (FM radio or channel TV channel specific) dipole out on a back deck and having fun.
Position your antenna to null out your terrestrial locals!
If you are looking to discover entirely new directions to focus on, my advice is to use an omnidirectional antenna as a “sniffer.” When you listen on an omni, all possibilities can reach you simultaneously.
If you stick strictly to a tight-nosed directional antenna, you are likely letting 80 percent of your potential catches pass you by. Keep the omni running to sniff out the openings, and only switch to the directional when you want to squeeze out that last decibel.
Another fantastic way to gauge VHF DX conditions is to monitor the seven NOAA weather radio channels. Because these stations constantly broadcast their identifiers, they serve as excellent real-time indicators of band activity. If you squelch a channel that corresponds to a NOAA station in your target area and let it sit, a sudden burst of audio will instantly tell you that the band is opening up in your direction.
We find a very similar approach is essential when trying to pull in SSTV (Slow Scan Television) signals from the International Space Station (ISS). Your best tool here is often a very simple omni vertical. Trying to manually track the ISS across the sky with a directional antenna is a lesson in frustration, whereas a simple omni will cleanly capture the entire pass. Because these signals originate from directly overhead, they are relatively close to your station compared to standard terrestrial signals.
For anyone looking to expand their horizons, sometimes the best approach is to just use a simple omni vertical, sit back, relax and watch the pictures roll in.
[Read the Signal Spot from Nick Langan for More DX-Related Stories]
