I knew that even after I stopped DXing the hobby would stick with me. 2008 was my last season logging distant TV stations, the year before the FCC snuffed out America's analog signals. At the time I wasn't interested in DXing the new digital system, and along with a few other reasons I decided to have a grand finale and bow out . Now it's been four years and my disdain for DTV has cooled into a grudging respect. I've tried to pick up other hobbies to fill the void, but I just couldn't stay away forever. As of this week, I am a DXer again.

Like Hollywood when they make movies based on comic books, I decided a "reboot" was best. My stats go back to zero, the channel lists remade, and I even opted for a brand new logbook rather than reopening the old one. What was "Project Wildwood" until 2008 is now "Project Clermont" (like Wildwood, named for a not-too-far-away city of license), and though there are still analog targets out there, my focus will be on digital. (Not saying I won't try for Mexico again, though.) All that carry over will be the records that were set: Now I can beat 1,386 miles!

Money is a little better than before, so I'll allow myself a little splurging to get a decent antenna (which has to fit on a screened-in lanai, uggh). The DX/Radio Page will be pulled out of hibernation by the end of the year, adding a second Fort Myers page. I'll also be reinstating my WTFDA membership.

I'm not expecting it to be the same hobby as before. The complaints from before, such as lookalike station logos and the digital cliff being too strict, are still there. But I shouldn't let that get in the way any longer. Digital does offer something analog didn't: PSIP. Maybe it'll be harder to get a picture, but once it decodes I'll immediately have the station's call letters and other info, rather than waiting until the top or bottom of the hour for an ID that may never come. And when I can get those IDs, I'll record them on tape as before. I look forward to getting my feet wet!