September 2025
Volume 30 Number 9
Next meeting: October 18th at tbd in tbd. Find out more. (No September meeting.)
In this issue: CQP tips, tubes – classifieds – DX – focus contests – State QSO parties! – funny stuff! – and more!
From the Prez
Just random rambling thoughts…..
I played around in the NA CW Sprint a couple of weeks ago. “Played” around is probably the best way to phrase it. While copying 36 wpm is not an issue for me in a contest like this, just trying to figure out the strategy and using N1MM is. I’m sure, after some goof-ups, there were a few out there who clearly thought that this guy wasn’t worthy of a 1×2 callsign! It’s not like I haven’t done a few of these. I have. Maybe once or twice a year. The NCCC Sprints are a great way to practice. I just need to remember to do so.
I have now done a few CW, Phone and RTTY contests since my migration from Writelog to N1MM, but had not done a CW Sprint with N1MM until this one. My biggest issue was the function key setup. I’ve grown used to N1MM’s default function key configurations, which have seemed to work out just fine for me. For the Sprint, however, they were worthless and I had to figure it out on the fly, which did result in some sloppy exchanges from me. I did put a note out on the NCCC reflector and Ed, AJ6V, sent me his function key file, so I’ll try it out on a NCCC Sprint.
Before I go any further, let me say that I started out using CT and then went to Writelog. I have found Writelog to be incredibly stable and I have had no complaints with the program until I got a Flex. In theory, Writelog should be a great logging program for Flex users, since they have a native Flex driver, but I found over the years that I would have one problem after another. Flaky problems, especially when using SO2R. Steve, W1SRD, told me long ago to switch to N1MM and now that I have, the Flex issues are no longer an issue. SO2R and everything else seems to be trouble-free now.
So, back to N1MM. The CQWW RTTY contest is this weekend and it will be my second RTTY contest using N1MM. In my first N1MM RTTY contest, everything went perfectly, including SO2R. What I miss from Writelog are some of the tricks WK6I taught me, like “WK6I, TU NOW K6TQ 599 SV” There’s got to be a way to do this in N1MM. Just haven’t figured it out yet. Oh, and when working SO2R late in a contest I would use Jeff’s other trick….”WK6I TU QRV 28090 W1RH CQ”. Maybe someone reading this can clue me in.
More rambling.
My first ham transmitter was home-built, using a 6AG7 and a 6L6. I built it from a circuit the 1954 handbook, which my father had although he never got his ham license. The circuit is nearly identical to the old Heathkit AT-1. I don’t have a clue what I did with the home brew transmitter. I was 13 years old at the time. The receiver I used back then was an old Heathkit GR-91 that I built when I was 12 years old. Don’t know what happened to that one either. I have often regretted losing track of what I did with that receiver and transmitter so when Rusty, W6OAT, mentioned on the NCCC reflector that his neighbor had a Heathkit GR-91 headed for eWaste, I had Rusty grab it for me. Another friend happened to have an old Heathkit AT-1 and I grabbed that. Bill, N6GHZ, also gave me an old HQ-100 receiver, which I thought might be a good match for the AT-1. All of these boat anchors have been sitting in the shop for a few years now but I am getting interested in making them work. I have never plugged in the GR-91 but I did try the AT-1, and it’s a basket case just waiting to be repaired. When I had that homebrew Novice transmitter, I came across a used VF-1 at Selectronics, in Sacramento. Now, if I only had one of those to go with the AT-1.
The same friend that gave me the AT-1 also gave me a Heathkit DX-35 and a DX-100. I gave the DX-100 to Fred, NO5Z (better known as KH7Y), who restored it but I kept the DX-35. After I got my Conditional class license (remember those?), I copied the circuit of a DX-35 control-carrier modulator and used it with my home-brew AT-1. Worked great! So, I kept the DX-35 with the idea that I’d restore it also.
But, once restored, what do I do with this stuff? I suppose there’s Straight Key Night for the AT-1, if I can find a VF-1 or crystals. But what about the DX-35? Well, today I got the ARRL Contest Update and it mentions the AM QSO Party, hosted by the antique Wireless Association. Never heard of this, but now I have a reason to get the DX-35 operational, along with the GR-91 or the HQ-100. All it takes is time…
Our next meeting will be on October 18th. I have Greg, NR6Q, tentatively scheduled to do our October meeting, which will feature his “Saga of the Free Tower.” I’m still waiting to verify Greg’s availability, but I can’t wait to watch this presentation.
One more thing. I want to thank our Pacific Division Director, John, NZ6Q, and his wife, Annie, N6ACL, for attending our last meeting and filling us in on some of the current happenings at the ARRL. John has done an outstanding job as Pacific Division Director, along with Carol, KP4MD, as Vice-Director.
From the Veep
KB in the CQP!
Secretary’s Report
Minutes of the August 30th Meeting (Round Table Pizza, Jackson)
Breaking News!
(Imagine the sound of a chattering teletype…)
Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act
Articles
Norm N6JV’s Tube of the Month for September
2025 RTTY Roundup extended results article
Newly Posted Videos!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel! (We’re up to 4! – ed)
DX…
Upcoming Contests
Mark your calendar with our MLDXCC Focus Contests! Up next is the California QSO Party. on October 4-5, 2025.
Other contests of note this month, via contestcalendar.com:
- September 27-28: CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY
- October 11-12: Makrothen RTTY Contest
- October 18-19: JARTS WW RTTY Contest
- October 25-26: CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB
New! State QSO Parties (via statesqoparty.com):
- October 11: Arizona, South Dakota, Nevada
- October 11-12: Pennsylvania
- October 18: New York
- October 19: Illinois
Classifieds
For Sale: New, never used, EHU for BigIR / $250 or best offer – Thank you, Steve / NC6R nc6r4dx@gmail.com
High Power Antenna Tuners: Have you always wanted a big Johnson? Now’s your chance! I bought this EF Johnson Kilowatt Matchbox years ago at a hamfest and never used it – darn those resonant antennas – so I have no idea of its actual condition. Is said to be able plenty more than 1000 watts, and can tune a balanced antenna as well as something at the other end of a coax. Includes the directional coupler. $150 or best offer. Jeff WK6I wk6i.jeff@gmail.com.
I also have a big Dentron MT3000A. Same story, never used it. This unit includes an antenna switch, dummy load, and can also handle a balanced antenna. $200 or best offer. Jeff WK6I wk6i.jeff@gmail.com.
Humor!
Send more funny stuff for the next issue! – Ed.
ClubLog DXCC Standings
As of 22 September 2025. You can see complete MLDXCC standings on ClubLog here.
Overall
| 1 | NK7I | 238 |
| 2 | W1SRD | 236 |
| 3 | W6DE | 216 |
| 4 | K6OK | 196 |
| 5 | NO5Z | 189 |
| 5 | K6YK | 188 |
CW
| 1 | K6YK | 169 |
| 2 | NO5Z | 135 |
| 3 | K6OK | 120 |
| 4 | N6WM | 109 |
| 5 | NA6O | 108 |
Phone
| 1 | K6YK | 118 |
| 2 | W1SRD | 117 |
| 3 | NO5Z | 116 |
| 4 | N6WM | 111 |
| 5 | K6TQ | 101 |
Data
| 1 | NK7I | 230 |
| 2 | W1SRD | 217 |
| 3 | W6DE | 191 |
| 4 | K7QDX | 187 |
| 5 | K6OK | 167 |
Resources
Check out the Resources menu up there at the top of every web page for useful DX and contest info.
Prepared for the MLDXCC by Editor and Webwookie Jeff WK6I. Please do send me any corrections, omissions, or material for future issues of The Nugget. It is much appreciated!
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