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xdx

DX cluster client — see what other operators are hearing, right now

What it does

Connects over telnet to a DX cluster node and shows the spots other operators are posting: callsign, frequency, time and comment, with colouring and filtering so the bands you care about stand out. It resolves each spotted callsign to its DXCC entity, and it can pass a frequency to a logging program or a rig.

Why you would want it

A cluster is a distributed pair of ears covering every band at once. When a rare entity comes up on 17 metres and you are listening on 20, the cluster is how you find out inside a minute rather than after the pileup has gone. It is also the cheapest live indicator of what is actually open.

Before it will work

A network connection and the address of a cluster node to connect to, which the program does not choose for you. Your callsign, because nodes ask for it at login.

How it installs

  • apt: xdx

Known problems

Spots are what people typed, not what is true: busted callsigns and frequencies off by a kHz are routine, and posting a correction is considered poor form, so the errors persist. Treat a spot as a hint about where to listen rather than as a fact. DXCC resolution uses cty.dat from the hamradio-files package, which ages -- a new prefix will resolve to the wrong entity until that is refreshed.

Keeping it current

  • probe: apt policy
  • strategy: apt_upgrade

Where to get help with the software itself

SourceForge project page at the URL above.

Source: catalog/packages/xdx.yaml