Your comprehensive guide to using DX DATA for real-time DX spotting, amateur radio DXing, and accessing the global DX cluster spotting network.
DX Data (dxdata.io) is a modern web-based DX cluster designed for amateur radio operators who are interested in DXing, contesting, or monitoring band activity. It provides real-time DX spots from multiple sources including DXSpider and Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) in a clean, user-friendly interface with advanced filtering capabilities.
A DX cluster is a network system that allows amateur radio operators (hams) to share information about DX stations (distant or rare stations) in real-time. When an operator hears or works a DX station, they can "spot" this station on the cluster, sharing the frequency, callsign, and often additional information. This allows other operators to quickly tune to that frequency to attempt contact with the DX station.
DX Data offers several advantages over other web clusters:
DXSpider is one of the most widely used DX cluster software packages in the amateur radio community. It allows operators to share DX spots via packet radio networks and the internet. DX Data integrates with DXSpider networks to collect and display these manually submitted spots.
The Reverse Beacon Network is an automated system of receivers ("skimmers") that listen to amateur radio bands and automatically report stations they hear transmitting. Unlike traditional DX clusters where spots are manually entered by operators, RBN spots are generated automatically by software listening to the bands, providing objective signal reports and broader coverage.
Yes, registration is required to access the DX Data cluster. This helps maintain system security and quality of service.
Visit dxdata.io and click on the registration link. You'll need to provide a valid email address and create a password.
If the email address you register with matches your QRZ.com contact information, your account will be approved automatically. If not, additional verification may be required to confirm your amateur radio status.
Registration helps us maintain security, prevent abuse, and ensure that DX Data remains a reliable resource for genuine amateur radio operators. It also allows us to provide personalized features including integration with Club Log and DX Alert e-mails.
DX Data offers multiple filtering options accessible through the interface:
When our system receives a DX spot, it processes the spot through two primary filtering stages before displaying it on your live spot page:
Summary:
RBN spots contain additional information represented by specific codes:
An asterisk indicates there was disagreement among skimmers about the exact frequency. The frequency shown represents the majority view from all reporting skimmers.
Yes! DX Data features a responsive, mobile-friendly design that works seamlessly on smartphones and tablets, allowing you to check DX spots while operating portable or away from your shack.
DX Data uses WebSocket technology to stream updates in real-time. New spots appear instantly as they're received from DXSpider and the Reverse Beacon Network without requiring page refreshes.
Currently, DX Data is a web-based platform. Integration with popular logging software may be added in future updates. For specific integration requests, please contact admin@dxdata.io.
The Club Log filter checks if the incoming spot matches a "needed" DXCC entity and band combination in your Club Log chart.
Visit How to Setup DX Data with Club Log for complete step-by-step instructions. If you have any questions along the way, please feel free to reach out to us at admin@dxdata.io. We're always happy to help!
If Club Log Filtering is enabled AND the incoming spot passes your DX Filter settings, it applies an additional check to the incoming spot against your Club Log chart for missing band/country combinations.
You can easily enable or disable the Club Log Filter at anytime in your DX Filter Settings
Our DX Email Alert system lets you know, in real-time, about spots that meet your DX filter criteria. We use Amazon AWS for reliable and secure email delivery, ensuring your DX alerts arrive on time, before the pileups do! Most modern phones (Android and iPhone) let you mark DX Data as a “favorite” or priority contact, which means you can enable audible notifications the moment a DX Alert email arrives.
You can easily enable or disable DX Email Alerts at anytime in your DX Filter Settings
DX Email Alerts are sent to the email address listed in your user profile. To update your email, simply log in and access your profile from the top navigation menu and enter a new email address. You’ll be prompted to verify it using a One-Time Password (OTP) sent to the new address. Once verified, your updated email will take effect immediately.
There is no hard limit on the number of DX Email Alerts you can receive — we designed the system to be flexible and helpful to active DXers. However, we do ask that users be responsible in how they configure their email alerts.
For example, setting up alerts for every spot that comes through the cluster is not allowed, as it would generate excessive traffic and impact system performance for others. The DX Alert system is intended for targeted, meaningful alerts, such as specific callsigns, DXCC entities, or bands you're actively chasing — not broad monitoring of all activity.
The email alert system is actively monitored, and accounts that abuse the alert functionality (e.g., by generating an unreasonable volume of email traffic) may have this feature temporarily or permanently disabled.
Please use the alerts wisely so we can continue offering this service to all of our users.
A packet cluster is the traditional term for a DX cluster that operated over packet radio networks. Modern DX clusters like DX Data operate primarily via the internet but retain much of the terminology and functionality of the original packet clusters. DX Data connects to these networks to gather spots while providing a modern web interface.
CC Cluster and AR Cluster are specific implementations of DX cluster software similar to DXSpider. They are networks that collect and distribute DX spots among amateur radio operators. DX Data aggregates information from multiple cluster networks, including spots that originate from CC Cluster and AR Cluster nodes.
A typical DX spot includes:
Additional information determined by DX Data:
DX Data uses intelligent algorithms to combine similar spots from different sources, reducing clutter while ensuring you don't miss important information. This is particularly useful when a station is reported by both manual spotters and RBN skimmers.
First, check your spam folder for the confirmation email. If you don't find it, verify that the email address you registered with matches your QRZ.com profile. If problems persist, contact admin@dxdata.io for assistance.
Check your filter settings to ensure they're configured correctly. DX Data allows precise filtering by multiple criteria simultaneously. You can save your preferred filter settings for future sessions.
We welcome feedback! Please email admin@dxdata.io with any questions, comments, bug reports, or feature suggestions.
DXing in amateur radio refers to making contacts with distant stations ("DX" stands for "distance"). DXers often focus on contacting stations in rare or distant countries to increase their country counts for awards like DXCC (DX Century Club).
DX Data helps you find active DX stations in real-time, particularly rare entities you might need for DXCC. By using the DXCC entity filter, you can specifically watch for countries you haven't confirmed yet.
During contests, use DX Data’s filtering capabilities to spot band and zone openings. Keep track of stations of interest (including your own) using the watchlist. RBN spots can help identify which bands are open to different parts of the world and help you see how your signal stacks up against peers.
Yes, DX Data is free for registered users. We're committed to supporting the amateur radio community.
The best support is to use the service and provide feedback on how we can improve. For specific support inquiries or to report issues, email admin@dxdata.io.
Yes, DX Data respects user privacy and only collects information necessary for account verification and system operation. We do not share your personal information with third parties.