DXing is not only a hobby, but it is also an alternative radio tuning platform, alongside digitally listening.

DXing is a hobby of receiving or identifying distant TV or radio signal, several people can receive a TV or radio stations via frequency waves from a very far kilometers/miles. Other than hobby, although digitally tuning is the current trend of radio listening platform by radio broadcasters, but DXing is also the alternative radio tuning platform.

1. Some radio stations may have no coverage in several regions or locations, although the broadcasters inform their listeners that they can access the radio broadcast digitally (online streaming or mobile app streaming), but some listeners are still preferring conventional method, so DXing is a very important alternative platform for those conventional radio listeners. By having good quality radio receiver and proper antenna, they can tune to their favorite radio stations on distant frequency which does not belong to their coverage area.

 

Example 1: Malaysia Tamil radio station THR Raaga is not available of its Kuantan frequency. Alongside Syok app, the listeners can tune alternatively on FM 99.3MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali (Klang Valley frequency) via DXing. 

 

Example 2: Media Prima Audio announced that 8FM Kuantan frequency FM 100.4MHz was replaced by Molek FM in October 2022. Audio+ app and YouTube streaming are the tuning platform for 8FM listeners in Kuantan, but FM 88.1MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali (Klang Valley) is also the alternative radio tuning platform for 8FM in Kuantan which is DXing.

 

2. DXing can raise the public awareness towards radio stations' coverage availability, despite outside broadcast coverage area. When there is an awareness from the public regarding a radio station availability, this can help a radio station to gain more listeners by increasing the listenership rating.

 

Example: If Sinar FM is available in Jerantut, Kuala Rompin and Endau via 96.9MHz from Gunung Telapak Buruk, but there are 18k listeners tuning to that radio stations on FM 96.9MHz in Kuala Rompin, Endau and Jerantut, then Gfk survey company includes 18k in Sinar FM's radio audience measurement survey. So, DXing can help Sinar FM to increase more listeners and gain more advertising revenue.

 

3. The listeners can identify how far the radio stations' coverage and the propagation are via DXing with their radio receiver.

4. In emergency events such as earthquake, floods or other natural disasters, then internet service is down while the radio stations local repeater transmission are interrupted by the natural disasters, DXing can help the victims of the natural disasters. The victims can obtain the latest information from the radio stations via DXing on their radio receivers, despite the signal is less clear.

 

DXing is a temporarily radio tuning platform in emergency events.

Example: Flood in Gua Musang, Kelantan. If Kelantan FM's listeners cannot tune in Gua Musang via 92.0MHz due to transmission in Bukit Chupak is interrupted by natural disaster, they can tune alternatively to 97.3MHz from Bukit Bakar in Gua Musang via DXing with weaker signal to get the latest information from Kelantan FM.

 

DXing is a magical hobby because the radio propagation could become special.