How to use CQDX

Getting started

You don’t need an account to use CQDX. The Spots page shows a live feed of DX spots from PSKReporter, the Reverse Beacon Network, and traditional DX clusters — all combined into one view, sorted by rarity.

The Map page plots active stations on a world map, color-coded by rarity.

Rarity rankings

Every DXCC entity is ranked using the ClubLog Most Wanted list. Spots are labeled by tier:

Filtering spots

Use the filter bar above the spot table to narrow what you see:

• Band — show only 20m, 40m, etc.
• Mode — FT8, CW, SSB, and more
• Continent — filter by DX or spotter continent
• Entity search — find a specific DXCC entity
• Workable — show only entities you still need on the band you’re viewing — a “band-fill” you haven’t confirmed on that band yet, even if you’ve worked it on another band (requires log sync)
• ATNO only — the stricter view: entities you have never worked on any band (an All-Time New One)

Filter settings are saved in the URL — bookmark or share any filtered view. Quick presets like “Rare DX” and “My Continent” are available from the presets menu.

You can switch between table and card views, and group spots by callsign or by entity, using the controls in the stats bar.

Logging in

CQDX uses passwordless magic-link login — there is no password to remember. Enter your email and we send you a one-time login link (it expires after 15 minutes). The first time you sign in, you’ll also enter your primary callsign; each account is tied to one callsign.

Tracking what you need

Create a free account to track your DXCC progress. Once logged in:

1. Go to your Account page (click your callsign in the top nav)
2. Upload your ADIF log file, or sync with LoTW or ClubLog
3. Entities you’ve already confirmed are tracked — spots for entities you still need are highlighted in the feed

The ADIF upload accepts standard .adi and .adif files from any logging program. DXCC entity is resolved automatically from callsigns if your log doesn’t include the DXCC field.

Solar conditions

The solar widget in the top nav shows the current Solar Flux Index (SFI) and K-index. Higher SFI generally means better HF propagation on higher bands. Lower K-index means quieter geomagnetic conditions.

Entity detail pages

Click any entity name in the spot table to see its detail page — rarity rank, recent activity, and which bands and modes it’s been spotted on.

API access

All CQDX data is available through a public REST API. See the API documentation for endpoints, parameters, and rate limits. Unauthenticated requests are limited to 60/minute.

For your own logged-in data (your needed list, QSO logging), create a Personal Access Token on your Account page under API Tokens, then send it on each request:

Authorization: Bearer pat_xxxxxxxxxxxx

The token is shown only once when you create it — copy it then. Treat it like a password; you can revoke it anytime from the same page.

Embeddable widgets

You can embed live CQDX widgets on your own club site or blog. Visit the Widgets page to preview them and copy a ready-made <iframe> snippet. Available widgets include a spot ticker, activity sparkline, solar conditions, band heatmap, top-DX list, single-band view, and a propagation map.

Setting your QTH

On your Account page, set your grid square. This is used for distance and bearing calculations on spots, and for propagation predictions.

Accessibility

CQDX is designed to be fully keyboard-navigable and screen-reader friendly. Use Tab to move through controls and Enter to activate them. Rarity tiers are always labeled with text, not just color.

Glossary

Quick reference for the abbreviations used throughout CQDX:

UTC — Coordinated Universal Time

Coordinated Universal Time — the single worldwide clock hams use so a spot means the same instant everywhere. All times on CQDX are UTC unless a field is explicitly labeled "local".

SNR — Signal-to-noise ratio (dB)

Signal-to-noise ratio, in decibels — how far a signal rises above the background noise. FT8 can be decoded down to about −21 dB; higher (less negative) is stronger.

dB — Decibel

Decibel — a ratio unit. On CQDX it appears as SNR (signal-to-noise) and in the S-meter estimate; every 6 dB is roughly one S-unit.

DE — The reporting/spotting station

DE means "from" (Morse abbreviation). The DE station is whoever heard and reported the DX — the spotter, not the rare station.

DX — The distant/rare station

DX means a distant station — the one being chased. On CQDX the "DX Call" column is the station you would work.

Sig — Estimated signal at your station

Signal — an estimate of how strong this station would be at your location, shown as an S-meter. "EST" marks a propagation-model estimate; a filled meter marks a real nearby-reporter measurement.

Src — Data source(s) that reported this spot

Source — which upstream feed(s) reported this spot: PSKReporter, the Reverse Beacon Network, or a traditional DX cluster. A spot confirmed by multiple sources is more trustworthy.

Rpt — Unique reporters

The number of distinct stations that reported this spot. More reporters means more corroboration; a single-reporter spot is often noise or a busted call.

Age — How long ago this spot was last seen

Age — how long ago this spot was last seen or updated. Spots grow less reliable as they age; very old spots may no longer be active.

ATNO — All Time New One

All Time New One — an entity you have never worked on any band or mode. The rarest kind of "needed" for a DXer.

NEED — Needed on this band

You have worked this entity before, but not yet on this band — so it still counts toward band-level awards.

MUF — Maximum Usable Frequency

Maximum Usable Frequency — the highest frequency the ionosphere will currently refract back to earth over a given path. Bands below the MUF are open; above it, closed.

SFI — Solar Flux Index

Solar Flux Index — a measure of solar radio output that tracks ionospheric ionization. Higher SFI generally means better high-band propagation.

Kp — Geomagnetic activity index

Kp — a 0–9 index of geomagnetic disturbance. Low Kp is quiet and good; high Kp means geomagnetic storms that degrade especially high-latitude paths.

Grid — Maidenhead grid square

Maidenhead grid square — a compact location code (e.g. EM10). Setting yours lets CQDX estimate propagation and signal strength from your station.

Why — How this spot was ranked

Why this spot is workable and how it was scored: need level (ATNO/NEED), predicted signal, band, and a 0-100 combined score — higher scores rank first.