Need QSL Co-ordinations? Want to find out if that rare station you've heard about has been active? Want to catch up with radio mates? Well you can! Developed for 11m DX Radio Communication, Cluster.dk is without doubt the most important and most popular internet site associated with the hobby.

Privately owned and not related to any DX Group or organisation, this unique system has been online since April 4th, 2000 with up to 200 users active at any one time.

Among other things, Cluster.dk is a 24hour notification system for 11metre DX which also doubles as chat lounge and QSO resource for DX'ers. Apart from being able to chew the fat with radio mates on-line when the transceiver is quiet, this unique data system also enables you to be informed about rare and semi rare DX activity so that you can hunt it down and make the log!

It achieves this by allowing dxers worldwide to post contacts on a bulletin board type system called a ‘Spot Board’. Not only does the Spot Board show a minute by minute log of stations heard and worked around the globe, but it also enables on-line DX’ers to instantly search, find and beam for respective stations on the band.

Automatically updated for every spot made and refreshed every few minutes, the Spot Board, obviously, is an incredibly handy tool in the chase for new DXCC’s! In fact, I’m not sure how the 11m world would survive without it!!!

Another of the terrific features of this web site is that users are notified via Internet, email or SMS direct to their mobile phone as to the whereabouts and operation times of various DX entities. The e-mail notification part also offers you an innovative filter system whereby you only receive mails/spots when the DXCC's you are interested in are reported.

Other outstanding characteristics of Cluster.dk include a list of upcoming activations (DXCC, IOTA, LOTA, COTA and SES), a QSL Manager database, an archive of previous logs and individual user profiles.

Until a couple of years ago, Cluster.dk used to list the top three operators for the previous 7 days and show DX Group banners or ads for activations. Unfortunately, now, this is not possible...

FINAL WRAP

• Load time: Varies…Reporting spots — sometimes sluggish.
• Navigation: A GPS would be handy
• Visual Appeal (eg. graphics etc.): Like an African Desert hut – very simple!
• Plug ins: No
• Usefulness: Awesome

Overall Rating (Out of five stars): **** and a half

If you have, or know of, a you-beaut or not so you-beaut communications web site that you would like me to review, please click on the Contact Admin link above and send me the URL.

In the mean time, KEEP ON SURFING!

Darren
43SD054