Black Cat Systems


Follow our tweets!

Home
Lost Reg Code?
News
Online KiwiSDRs
macOS Software
Windows Software
Ham Radio iPhone/iPad
Linux Software
Support/FAQ
Update Policy

USB Icom CI-V Interface

Radio Hobbyist Products

  22m Programmable Beacon Kit
  22m Part 15 Beacon Kit
  CW Keyer For Beacons Kit
  Jellyfish Transformer
  Cyclops Antenna Transformer

General Interest Programs

  Atomic Mac/PC
  Audiocorder
  Audio Toolbox
  Black Cat Timer
  Diet Sleuth
  iUnit
  Graffikon
  Graph Paper Maker
  Health Tracker
  Image Resizer
  Knitting Wizard
  Label Wizard
  Prog Audio Gen
  Sound Byte
  Synth 76477

Amateur Radio Programs
  AirSpyHF+ Server
  Audiocorder
  Black Cat Absolute ACARS
  Black Cat ACARS
  Black Cat ALE
  Black Cat ALE Vacuum Cleaner
  Black Cat NetFinder
  Black Cat GMDSS
  Black Cat HF Fax
  Black Cat SSTV
  Black Cat NAVTEX SITOR-B
  Carrier Sleuth
  Cocoa 1090
  Cocoa RTL Server
  DGPS Decoding
  DX Toolbox
  Elmer
  eQSL Factory
  MatchMaker
  KiwiKonnect
  KiwiSDR Monitor
  KiwiSDR Sound Client
  MININEC Pro
  Morse Mania
  MultiMode
  sdrRewind
  RF Toolbox
  SDRuno Plugin
  SDRuno Equalizer Plugin
  SelCall
  Sonde

iPhone/iPad Apps
  ALE
  Atoms To Go
  dB Calc
  Clik Trak
  DGPS Decoder
  Drill Calc
  DX Toolbox
  Elmer Extra
  Elmer General
  Elmer Tech
  Feld Hellschreiber
  Field Strength Calc
  Function Generator Pad
  GMDSS
  Godafoss
  HF Weather Fax
  iAttenuate
  iFunctionGenerator
  iSoundex
  iSoundByte
  iSweep
  iUnit
  Morse Mania
  ACARS Pad
  Morse Pad
  NAVTEX Pad
  Packet Pad
  PSK31 Pad
  SSTV Pad
  Photon Calc
  Rad Map Tracker
  RF Link Calc
  SelCall Tone Gen
  Sound Byte
  Sound Byte Control
  Spectrum Pad
  SWBC Schedules
  Synth 76477
  Synth Motion
  Transmission Line Calc
  Weather Calc
  Wire Calc

iPhone/iPad Bundles
  RF Calculator Apps
  Ham Radio Decoder Apps
  Audio Utility Apps
  Shortwave Weather Apps
  Ham Radio Exam Study Apps
  Shortwave Decoder Apps

Android Apps
  ACARS
  Audio Function Generator
  
Audio Spectrum Analyzer
  
DGPS Decoder
  HF Weather Fax
  NAVTEX
  Rad Map Tracker
  SelCall Tone Gen
  Sound Byte Control
  SWBC Schedules
  Wire Calc

About Black Cat Systems
Site Map
Our software for Mac OSX
Privacy Policy
Press/Media
HFunderground
Apple /// Emulator

Macintosh Links
Shortwave Radio
Pirate Radio
Spy Numbers Stations
Science and Electronics
Ham Radio Software


   

DX Toolbox - Shortwave / Ham Radio / HF Radio Propagation

DX Toolbox searches the web for you, gathering information on solar and geomagnetic conditions that affect radio propagation. It also features several propagation forecasting tools, allowing you to quickly and easily estimate current HF (Shortwave) propagation conditions between any two locations in the world. It's ideal for the ham radio operator, shortwave listener, or other radio enthusiast, and is available for Mac OS, Mac OS X, and Windows. A version is also available for the iPhone / iPad / iPod Touch

Black Cat HF Weather Fax integrates with the SDRPlay SDRUno software package via the free Black Cat Systems plugin. Instructions for configuring both are available on this page.

You can download a copy of DX Toolbox, and try it out for yourself! Just click on one of the download links below:

DX Toolbox for Windows 8 / Windows 10 / Windows 11 (Version 6.4.0) Zip file for Windows 8, 10, 11. Released 8 March 2024.

DX Toolbox for Mac OS X 10.10 and later, works with macOS 14 Sonoma (Version 6.4.0) - 64 bit app - Released 8 March 2024.


The cost of buying DX Toolbox is only $29.99!
Buy your copy online, and get your registration code in minutes!

DX ToolBox has dozens of windows providing a wealth of important information about current and forecasted radio, solar, and geomagnetic conditions. Take a look at some DX Toolbox screenshots to see just a few of them. Or better yet, download a free copy to try out.

It displays in real-time the following important readings:

  • Solar Flux
  • A-Index
  • K-Index
  • Solar Flux
  • Sun Spot Number
  • X-Ray Flux levels
  • X-Ray flares
  • Solar Wind
  • Earth's Magnetic Field
  • Proton and Electron Flux levels
  • Radio Blackout conditions
  • Geomagnetic Storm conditions
  • Solar Radiation Storm conditions
In addition, the last month's worth of Solar Flux, A-Index, K-Index, Sun Spot Number, and solar flares are plotted. Audio alerts can be generated when solar flares, aurora, or disturbed geomagnetic conditions exist or are likely.

Graphs of x-ray flux readings from the GOES satellites may also be displayed.

Current and recent Space Weather Alert messages can be displayed.

A grayline map of the world is also available. Radio propagation between locations within the grayline region of the world is often greatly enhanced. DX Toolbox's grayline map makes it easy for you to determine where those locations are. Grayline propagation has been used by expert ham radio operators and DXers for years to catch elusive stations.

You can have the location of the currently transmitting NCDXF/IARU beacon displayed on the map as well. These beacons are run by ham radio operators around the world, and can be used to determine radio propagation conditions between your location and that part of the world.

You can also plot the great circle (both short and long) path between your location and another station, and compute distance, as well as the beam heading.

Radio propagation conditions can also be estimated between two points on the Earth.

21 maps of current D Layer Absorption levels are available for display

A database of about 12,000 SWBC (shortwave broadcast) transmissions can be displayed and searched. Several third party SDR apps (presently SDRuno, SDR#, Elad SW2, and SdrDx) can be controlled via the SWBC Schedules window. Just double click on a transmission, and your receiver will be changed to that frequency. Likewise, tune in a station on SdrDx, and the SWBC Schedules window will automatically update to show all possible stations that you could be listening to, with transmissions currently on the air highlighted in bold.

DX ToolBox uses an FCC database to display US and foreign AM (MW) stations on a map, as well some information about them. Double clicking on a station on the map will bring up a line of text with information about that station. You can also search for stations, as well as do a "fuzzy" search. Say you heard a callsign, but there's the chance you misheard one of the letters. C sounds a lot like E, for example. With the fuzzy search option enabled, similar letters will be checked as well. A list of all possible matching stations for the specified frequency will be displayed.

Grid square locations may be determined, as well as looked up on a map, which also shows the world's time zones.

Maps showing auroral levels, as well as the maximum F layer frequency (related to MUF) over various parts of the world are also displayed. Real-time images of the Sun from the SOHO satellite are also available.

Prediction of Jupiter Radio Bursts/Storms can be calculated and displayed. These storms can be heard on the upper end of the shortwave band.

You can also connect to your favorite DX Cluster, to read and send DX tips in real time.

The following radio propagation reports and forecasts are available:

WWV Geophysical Alert
27 Day Space Outlook
45 Day AP Forecast
Geomagnetic Data
Daily Geomagnetic Data
Daily Particle Data
Daily Solar Data
GEOALERT
Daily Magnetometer Analysis Reports
Hourly Magnetometer Analysis Reports
Predicted Sunspot Numbers and Radio Flux
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity
Solar and Geophysical Activity Summary
Solar Region Summary
Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
Current Space Weather Indices
Space Weather Event Reports
Daily Space Weather Indices
Summary of Space Weather Observations
3-day Space Weather Predictions
SEC Space Weather Alerts

Be sure to read our HF Shortwave Radio Propagation Information tutorial for information about how shortwave propagation works.

DX Toolbox is available for Mac OS X 10.10.5 through macOS 14 Sonoma, and Windows 8 / 10 / 11. DX Toolbox requires an active internet connection while it is running for accessing most data; propagation forecasting can be done "off-line".

DX ToolBox can communicate with other applications, such as SDR software as well as radio tuning programs. This lets you tune your radio from within DX ToolBox, such as by clicking on an entry in the SWBC window. Also, third party applications can query the SWBC database inside DX ToolBox, to display information. Read the DX ToolBox Inter-Application Protocol page for more information.

Note: The Space Weather Prediction Center, the NOAA government agency that provides much of the online data used by DX Toolbox, has changed most of the data sources.

Version 6.2.2 and later of DX Toolbox accommodate these changes. It is available on the download page

I'm seriously impressed with DX Toolbox as well as your other programs. The Toolbox is the best bargain out there for both the casual and serious listener in all modes and bands.
- Christopher VA3ITV


The current version of DX Toolbox is 6.4.0

DX Toolbox is only $29.99!

Before buying, you should download a copy and make sure it works on your particular configuration.

Looking for a way to connect your computer to your Icom rig? Take a look at the Black Cat Systems USB Icom CI-V Interface


Email your comments and questions to info@blackcatsystems.com

Last modified March 8, 2024