WWNH 1340 Madbury, NH DX Test

Date(s): Late Sunday Night November 5th, 2006
Time: 10PM until 2:00AM Eastern Time
Modes of Operation: Transmitter Testing. 1,000 Watts, Non-Directional
Programming: Morse Code ID's, Sweep Tones, Voice ID.

Notes: Transmitter audio chain testing. Listen for station jingles, special music, and other wild card items that may be transmitted by Paul Walker. Don’t discount the ability of graveyard stations to be heard during DX tests, as we’ve had widespread reports during some past tests.

Reception reports are desired via e-mail (first choice) and snail mail (only if e-mail is not available). Station would prefer to received recordings of the test (MP3, CD, or cassette). Submit reports to: les @ highnoonfilm.com and please put "WWNH DX Test" in the subject line. All standard mail reports should go to:

Les Rayburn
High Noon Film
100 Centerview Drive Suite 111
Birmingham, AL 35216

Our thanks to Paul Walker, Jr. and the staff of WWNH for this test! Paul has been responsible for a large number of tests during the past two seasons, and all of us owe him a lot of gratitude.

KEVA 1240khz Evanston, WY DX Test

Please note this test has been moved up 24 hours!

Date(s): Sunday Morning (Late Saturday Night) October 22'nd, 2006
Time: Midnight until 2:00AM Mountain Time
Modes of Operation: Transmitter Testing. 1,000 Watts, Non-Directional
Programming: Morse Code ID's, Sweep Tones, Voice ID.

Notes: Transmitter audio chain testing. E-mail MP3 Recordings and/or details of the test to:

michaelj @ vcn.com

Postal Reports should be mailed to:

KEVA Radio
P.O. Box 190
Evanston, Wyoming 82930
Attn: Michael Richard

Please include a SASE for reply.

Our thanks to Kevin Redding & the ABDX E-Mail List for arranging this test! Also hats off to Michael Richard of KEVA. The last KEVA test was widely heard throughout the US and gave many of us our first “WY” in the logs. Michael is also helping to arrange tests from other rare Western states. A true friend to the DXing hobby!

WNJC 1360khz Vineland, NJ DX Test

Date(s): Sunday Morning (Late Saturday Night) October 1st, 2006
Time: Midnight until 4:00AM Eastern Time
Modes of Operation: Transmitter Testing. 4,000 Watts, Non-Directional
Programming: Morse Code ID's, Sweep Tones, Voice ID.

Notes: Transmitter testing following repairs to the array after Tropical Storm Ernesto. Station will test until at least 4AM, and possibly later.

Reception reports are desired via e-mail (first choice) and snail mail (only if e-mail is not available) Station would prefer to received recordings of the test (MP3, CD, or cassette). Submit reports to: les @ highnoonfilm.com and please put "WNJC DX Test" in the subject line. All standard mail reports should go to:

Les Rayburn
High Noon Film
100 Centerview Drive Suite 111
Birmingham, AL 35216

Thanks to John "Duke" Hamann and the staff of WNJC for this test!

FAQ

What is a DX Test?

A DX test is a special transmission aired by a station for the specific purpose of giving DXers a chance to log their station - something that in many cases may be very difficult or impossible to do under normal circumstances.

DX tests must be aired during what the FCC calls "experimental hours", which is between midnight and 6 am local time at the station - see 47CFR73.72 for more info. Also, most DX tests are scheduled for Monday mornings, because traditionally Monday mornings have been a time for many stations to do routine maintenance on their transmitters. This is good for the station, because many of them will work in a DX test during their normal testing/maintenance. This is good for the DXer, because the band is less congested at this time - thus increasing in many instances the DXers chances of hearing a station.

(Also, 47CFR 73.1520 (a) says a station can run at its licensed power for testing. This is vague and can be read 59 different ways but since the first DX test was run in 1933, the clause has been read to run at the station's maximum power for testing. No one has EVER been fined, given a NOV or a NAL for full power testing at night.).

DX tests programs are as varied as the stations themselves. Most will include Morse code identifications and test tones (two things that really "cut through" the interference better than voice or music), and many will include some special music which will really "stick out" as something out of the ordinary. Examples of this are March music, polkas, TV & movie themes, or Christmas music played at an odd time of the year (such as in October). There are some DX tests which are scheduled on Saturday or Sunday mornings, and, at the request of the stations, on other mornings. But, most are usually scheduled for Monday, Saturday or Sunday mornings.

What is an "Inventory Insert"?

Here is an example 60 second Inventory Insert mp3 audio file created for the WJOX test which you can download here.

Please contact us to request having a Inventory Inset created for your station.

Welcome

I have moved the dxtests.info site into a blog format for the upcoming season. Please stay tuned for the latest in AM DX Test Info! Please feel free to use the comments feature to discuss the tests and post your results.