The VHF DX Podcast

VHF DX Podcast

Chronicling the latest in VHF DX, from summertime Sporadic-E to Tropospheric Ducting, with a focus on FM Broadcast DX. We'll interview top DXers and talk about new advancements with tools like SDRs, plus remember past openings. Send us your questions, feedback, or DX dilemmas! Email vhfdxpodcast@gmail.com

  1. Episode XXII: Interview with Marek Farkaš, aka Noobish, on all things FMDX.org

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    Episode XXII: Interview with Marek Farkaš, aka Noobish, on all things FMDX.org

    Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to DXers everywhere! By far the most innovation in our hobby right now is coming from the FMDX.org open source project, which includes the fantastic firmware improvements for the TEF6686 portable and the FM DX Webserver. There's now 157 active servers worldwide, including hotspots in Europe, Australia, and emerging regions like India and Chile. The effort is pulling in a noticeably youthful community of VHF DX'ers. In the latest episode of the VHF DX Podcast, Bryce and Nick spoke to one of the driving forces behind it all, Marek Farkaš, aka Noobish! From his home in the Czech Republic, Noobish gave us some amazing insights into himself, the FMDX project, and what's to come. We've included links to relevant portions of the project and also at the end of the description that we encourage all DX'ers to check out. Among some of the highlights of our conversation with Noobish: Growing up in Slovakia The origin of his nickname! How his girlfriend, Ester Vlčková, enlightened Noobish on what this zany hobby actually is. Ester is also is an avid DX'er and part of the FMDX.org community. Noobish's own amazing FM DX setup, including the antennas on the cover photo of this episode. What led to joining in with Sjef Verhoeven, PE5PVB, with TEF6686 firmware updates and the community Forming the OpenRadio Discord How the FM DX Webserver project became more popular than he ever expected How to buy the right TEF receiver and the Headless TEF project How the TEF6687 chip is more sensitive for RDS decodes Future projects, including the DAB+ Webserver, using the TEF6689 chip for possible IQ output Noobish also details some of the outstanding FM tropo he and other European DX'ers received in November. If any of these innovations intrigue you, we'd suggest supporting the FMDX.org community, as Noobish explained any donations go directly toward development efforts! We'd also recommend checking out our conversation with Sjef in March about the TEF firmware and the project.

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    Episode XX: 2024 DX Season Kickoff and May Aurora Opening chat with Bill Hepburn

    In the 2024 DX season kickoff episode of the VHF DX Podcast, Nick and Bryce host the show from Bryce's home on Cape Cod, enjoying a rare outdoor recording session on a pleasant afternoon. The highlight of the episode is a discussion about the rare Aurora opening on May 10th, which provided an exceptional opportunity for DXing. This event was particularly notable because it allowed for receptions as far south as Key Largo, FL, and other southern locations, which is highly unusual for aurora propagation. Nick and Bryce reflect on their experiences during the opening, the stations they logged, and the overall rarity of such an event. The episode also features an interview with Bill Hepburn, a valued member of the VHF DX community who already starred in a previous episode regarding his Tropospheric Forecast Predictions. Bill explains the different types of solar storms and their impacts on DXing, with a focus on geomagnetic storms that produce auroras. He provides insights into the KP and BZ indices, which are used to monitor geomagnetic activity and predict aurora conditions. The discussion covers the technical aspects of aurora-induced DXing and tips for enthusiasts on how to maximize their chances of successful reception during such events. We also speculate with Bill on the potential for similar events in the near future, considering the current solar activity. Bryce and Nick also return with a tech corner discussion, including new SDR offerings from Airspy and SDRPlay, the new Sky Blue 9 element FM antenna, new RabbitEars.Info FM autologger and OpenRadio FM DX Webserver setups. 73s and Good DX to everyone!

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    Episode XIX: Interview with Sjef Verhoeven PE5PVB on the TEF6686 and OpenRadio Discord

    Is spring in the air at your QTH? It won't be long until E-Skip and rumors of Sporadic-E begin floating around the interwebs. Until then, Bryce and Nick bring you another off-season episode of the VHF DX Podcast. After recapping conditions, including a very notable February TEP log from CE3SX (formerly CE3SAD) of 92.7 WEOW from Central Chile, the duo was thrilled to be able to talk with Sjef Verhoeven from the Netherlands! Sjef talked with us about: How he became interested in radio receivers and FM broadcast DX What the TEF chip was originally designed for and how it became part of a portable receiver How Sjef joined the TEF ecosystem and began working on developing its firmware Evaluating the right TEF receiver for purchase Version 2.0 firmware features, including how RDS PI decodes are managed Sjef also discussed additional ongoing OpenRadio projects, including: The Sony XDR-GTK The FM-DX-Webserver plugin and the ability to share your TEF with the world Maps on FMDX.pl We highly encourage DXers to join the OpenRadio Discord for the best way to stay on top of firmware updates to the TEF plus engage with an active DX community! Links from the show: The super helpful TEF buying guide from Noobish! OpenRadio Community Discord server All of Sjef's projects Sjef's GitHub page FM-DX Webserver FM-DX Maps The helpful YouTube video on running TEF firmware updates we referenced We thank Sjef gain very much for his time and would strongly encourage buying him a coffee if you enjoy the TEF firmware as much as we do!

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Chronicling the latest in VHF DX, from summertime Sporadic-E to Tropospheric Ducting, with a focus on FM Broadcast DX. We'll interview top DXers and talk about new advancements with tools like SDRs, plus remember past openings. Send us your questions, feedback, or DX dilemmas! Email vhfdxpodcast@gmail.com

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