HF & DX — Around the World on Shortwave
DX means "distance." On HF (high frequency) bands from 1.8 MHz to 30 MHz, your signal can bounce off the ionosphere and reach every corner of the planet. No cell towers. No subscriptions. Just you, your radio, and the sky.
What is DX and Why Does It Still Matter?
Every contact on HF is a small miracle. Your voice or signal travels as radio waves, refracts through layers of charged particles in the upper atmosphere, and lands in someone else's receiver — maybe 12,000 miles away. That person might be on a remote island, a ship at sea, or a shack in Tokyo.
The internet connects you instantly but anonymously. HF connects you personally. You exchange call signs, signal reports, names, and often a story. There's a leaderboard (DXCC — DX Century Club) that tracks how many countries you've worked. Some are easy; others require patience, skill, and a bit of luck when the bands are open.
The Challenge Is the Point
Sunspots, seasons, time of day, antenna choice — everything affects whether you get through. When you finally hear "QRZ?" from a station in Kazakhstan at 3 AM, you'll understand why hams stay up all night. The internet can't give you that rush.
HF Bands at a Glance
160m – 80m (Top Band & 75/80m)
Night-time bands. Great for regional and continental contacts. Antennas are large but the camaraderie on 75m nets is legendary.
40m
The "workhorse." Open day and night, regional by day, DX by night. One of the most popular bands worldwide.
20m
The DX band. When 20m is open, the world is open. Many hams spend most of their HF time here.
15m, 12m, 10m
Higher bands shine during solar maximum (we're in one now!). Less noise, longer DX paths possible. 10m can behave like VHF during openings — FM repeaters even appear!
60m, 30m, 17m
WARC bands — less crowded, great for casual DX when the big bands are packed.
6m (50 MHz)
Technically not HF, but the "magic band." Sporadic-E openings can connect you across continents with a simple dipole.
Digital HF Modes
Can't get voice through? Digital modes decode signals buried in noise. A basic computer interface and free software opens a whole new world.
FT8 / FT4 — The DX Powerhouse
WSJT-X's FT8 mode dominates HF today. 15-second transmissions, automated QSOs, and the ability to decode signals 20 dB below the noise floor. FT4 is faster for contesting. Most DXpeditions run FT8 because it maximizes contacts per hour.
JS8Call — Keyboard-to-Keyboard Chat
Like FT8 but with actual messages. Have a text conversation over HF when conditions are marginal for voice.
CW (Morse Code)
Still the most efficient mode per watt. No computer needed. Many DX stations give priority to CW callers. It's a skill worth learning — and easier than you think.
See our full Digital Modes section for more.
New HF Gear Worth Watching
Icom X-026 (Concept)
Icom's mystery mobile platform shown at Hamvention 2026. Detachable face, multi-antenna setup — possibly the next big mobile HF rig. Stay tuned for Tokyo Ham Fair announcements.
Icom IC-7300MK2
The refreshed version of the game-changing IC-7300 continues Icom's real-time spectrum scope tradition. A favorite for new HF operators.
Icom AH-6 Tuner
Compact auto-tuner for 1.8–50 MHz. Pairs perfectly with portable or mobile HF setups.
Elecraft, Yaesu, Xiegu
Elecraft K4 and KX3 remain portable favorites. Yaesu's FT-818ND is a tiny QRP legend. Xiegu offers budget-friendly SDR transceivers for experimenters.
Contesting & DXCC
Contests are organized events where hams try to make as many contacts as possible in a set time. They're fast, fun, and great for building DX skills. DXCC awards a certificate for working 100 countries — a lifetime pursuit for many.
Tools like Logbook of the World (LoTW) and Club Log help track your progress and confirm QSOs digitally.