by Norm Wilson N6JV – Visit the museum at N6JV.com
10
In the March, 1921 issue of QST, RCA announced that they had added their first CW power tube to their post war lineup. The UV-202/C-302 had construction that was similar to their others tubes with short pins and a brass base. It was rated at 5 watts output. The first 202 tubes I ever found had their bases removed. This was a common practice to get a tube to operate at higher frequency as it reduced capacity.
10
In the October, 1925 issue of QST, RCA announced several new tubes including the UX-210/C-210. The new tube was called a 7 ½ watter and it had the new UX base. That base had long pins and was made from baklite plastic. The plate voltage for transmitting was 425 volts at 60 ma. When used as an audio amp in a receiver, 90 to 157 volts could be used. The filament voltage was 7.5 volts in a transmitter and 6 volts in a receiver. The mu was 7.7 which made it a better oscillator then the UV-202 was. By 1929 the ARRL Handbook didn’t list the 202, but almost every transmitter circuit featured a UX-210 as an oscillator or amplifier sometimes using several parallel tubes.
With an effective monopoly on tube production in 1929, RCA was in control. Control was lost in the early 1930’s when the courts broke the game open when they allowed other makers to build tubes using the RCA patents. Soon production was started at Sylvania (210), Raytheon (RK-10), Taylor Tubes and others. RCA made the 10 in a different envelope and designated it a 10Y. It was also known as a VT-25-A and was used as the speech amplifier in the WWII BC-375 transmitter that was incorporated in the B-17 bomber and other mobile and fixed applications.
Today these small triodes are all collector’s items but audio enthusiasts have made a big market for them.
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.
For Sale: New, never used, EHU for BigIR / $250 or best offer – Thank you, Steve / NC6Rnc6r4dx@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 WK6Iwk6i.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 WK6Iwk6i.jeff@gmail.com.
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!
Schedule the time in your calendar to operate the contest. Get focused on making your best effort this year. Give the contest 100% effort for the time you have to operate.
I like to go to 3830 scores and copy my last year’s contest score and place it on the operating table so I can see how I did last year. This gives me a benchmark to beat.
In the California QSO Party, you need to be calling CQ all the time. People are looking for you; this is not the time to spend lots of time searching and pouncing. I wait about a second to a second and a half before my next CQ if no one answers me. Calling CQ is like fishing; if your line is not in the water, no fish will bite.
Keep your exchange to just the serial number and the county you’re in. You need to set the tempo of your exchange. If you sound like you mean business, they will respond in kind.
Plan your off times to be the most efficient so you’re not off when the rates are still high.
Meeting was called to order at 12:24 p.m. by Vice President Steve Allred, NC6R. There were 14 attending in person, with two more attending via zoom (sign-in sheet). There were three guests. Steve welcomed everyone. Each member introduced themselves.
Old Business
The July minutes were published in the Newsletter. The motion to accept was made by Sue Allred K6SZQ, and seconded by Rick Karlquist, N6RK. The vote was unanimous.
The Treasurer’s report is now done quarterly.
New Business
The plaque for CQP top score outside of California is sponsored by Rick Karlquist, N6RK, and Greg Glenn, NR6Q.
Bob Kehr, KA9MDP, applied for club membership. His application was accepted, and the vote was unanimous.
The club placed second in the last Cal QSO party, all members encouraged to participate this year.
Member Achievements
Greg Glenn, NR6Q, has made 80 QSOs running AM phone.
Upcoming Contests
ARRL EME contest Sept 13 – 14th.
North American Sprint, CW 0000 – 0400 Sept 14th
New Jersey, Texas, Iowa, New Hampshire QSO Parties and the Washington State Salmon run are all on Sept 20 – 21st.
John Litz, NZ6Q, made a presentation requesting our votes for him for Pacific Division Director,
There are swap meets in Reno on the 13th, and in Lincoln on the 20th.
Robert Hess, W1RH, led discussion of strategies for success in CQP. He outlined the available classes and the possibility of recruiting area amateurs to allow MLDXCC to move to a larger club category. Also discussed was the possibility of recruiting Colin Meeks, K6CMM or another young ham to participate as there are bonus points for youth involvement and many other bonuses available.
There was also extensive advice given by Rich Cutler, WC6H, on methods for maintaining high QSO rates in contests. Thank you to Bob, Rich, and all for the valuable advice!.
Next Meeting
Is Scheduled for September 27th, location TBD. (Actually, not. Stay tuned… – Ed.)
A joint meetings with NCCC is in the works, date and location TBD.
Adjournment: Moved by Norm Wilson, N6JV, and seconded by Jason Pritchard, KE5JTS, passed unanimously at 1:36 PM.
by Norm Wilson N6JV – Visit the museum at N6JV.com
304T
In 1940, EIMAC tried using four 75T tubes in parallel and designated it the 304T. The 304T had plates with caps and external grid connections. A cup shield that was concave down was added later (2nd example). I believe the shield is used to protect the glass seals from overheating due to the proximity to the extremely hot anodes and grids. Experiments were made to make the grids connected internally (3rd example).
example 1
example 2
example 3
By 1941 the 304TL (VT-129) with a mu of 12 and the 304TH (VT-254) with a mu of 20 were being produced. They had an external grid ring and the cup shield was now concave up. The late 1942 production of 304TLs was made with their plates open at the top (4th example). In 1943 the caps returned to the covered type and with the external grid ring for the first 3 months. In May of 1943, the grids were all internally connected (5th example). The 304TL was made in great numbers especially in Salt Lake City. In 1941 alone, a total of 544,473 TLs were made. The TLs were used primarily as pulse modulators most commonly in the Army SCR-584 RADAR. With the great demand for these tubes, the type became copied by competitors especially Heinz & Kaufman. The last (6th) example shows a HK-304L which had the same Army VT designation in spite of the fact that was a taller tube and may not fit in all applications. The 304L had no internal shield as there were four separate wire seals that were a distance away from the anode/grid heat sources.
Next meeting: August 30th at Round Table Pizza in Martel (Jackson). Find out more.
In this issue: tubes as always, and… ancient PowerPoints? – new videos! – classifieds – DX – focus contests – State QSO parties! – funny stuff! – and more!
From the Prez
Hello Contesters and DX’ers!
We’re going to talk about CQP at our next meeting so I thought I’d suggest a few items for everyone to peruse.
There are five categories for a California club to enter in:
Yosemite
Joshua Tree
Sequoia
Redwood
Channel Islands
The number of logs submitted determines what category a club is in.
The Yosemite category is for those clubs submitting 31+ logs.
The Joshua Tree Category is for those clubs submitting 21-30 logs.
The Sequoia Category is for those clubs submitting 11-20 logs.
The Redwood Category is for those clubs submitting 6-10 logs
The Channel Islands Category is for those clubs submitting 1-5 logs.
In 2024, the Yosemite category had no entrants. Not one club submitted the required 31 or more logs.
The Joshua Tree Category is where the Southern California Contest Club and MLDXCC ended up, with SCCC submitting 30 logs and MLDXCC submitting 28 logs. SCCC beat us by a lot….775,754 points. In short, we were not even close.
The Redwood Empire DX Association was the only entrant in the Sequoia Category, with 12 logs and, obviously, won the category.
Pizza Lovers 259, with 8 logs submitted, won the Redwood Category beating the West Valley ARA, with 10 logs submitted. This was a fairly close competition.
Last, but not least was the very interesting Channel Islands Category. There were 42 clubs represented in this category. The winner, by around 150,000 points, was the Sierra Foothills ARC. The Orange County ARC came in second.
It is interesting to look at the clubs in MLDXCC territory who submitted logs:
5 logs – Sierra Foothills ARC
2 logs – Calaveras ARS
2 logs – River City ARCS
3 logs – Yuba-Sutter ARC
2 logs – El Dorado County ARC
1 log – Stockton-Delta ARC
1 log – Toulumne County Amateur Radio and Electronics Society
1 log – Fresno ARC
Recruiting from local clubs could be a possibility for us. Something else to dig into are the respectable scores from some of the members of clubs competing in the Channel Islands Category. Let’s take a look at the scores they contributed to their club total (with bonus points).
Sierra Foothills ARC – KD6HOF – 152,768 (Expedition to Butte/Plumas)
Sierra Foothills ARC – N6WYZ – 113,600 (Expedition to Alpine County – new contester)
Sierra Foothills ARC – WU6X – 103,344 (Expedition to Siskiyou County)
Calaveras ARS – KA9MDP – 125,124 (Expedition to Alpine County – new contester)
Calaveras ARS – N6FRG – 61,484 (Expedition to Calaveras County)
River City ARCS – N6PGQ – 105,468 (Placer County)
Yuba-Sutter ARC – W6PNH – 66,750 (new contester, Sutter county)
El Dorado County ARC – KN6UDK – 61,190 (new contester, Madera county)
If you total up all of the above scores, the total is 789,728 points.
You may recall that I mentioned above that SCCC beat us by 775,754 points. Note, however, that if every one of the stations listed above entered logs for MLDXCC, we would be in the Yosemite Category all by ourselves but at least we would have the pleasure of out-scoring SCCC.
So, my question to all of you: Do you know any of the stations mentioned above? These are stations that are ripe for recruiting.
See you on Saturday!
From the Veep
Did you get an opportunity to participate in the NAQP SSB contest? I was pleased to host Skip N6NFB at home during the contest. He ran the contest under his call @ 100 watts and managed to log quite a number of states on 15 meters. Hopefully some of those will turn out to ones he needs for 15 meter WAS.
My HF activity has been someone what limited lately as other jobs tend to take precedence. I’ve yet again allowed myself to be looped into another repeater project. While very time consuming, the results are rewarding.
My six meter quest continues. Band conditions have been on again, off again. I continue to look for Delaware and Rhode Island only to have them fade out. One day last week there were a number of openings, thanks to a sporadic “E” event. This was my first real exposure to that much of an opening. As the name implies, one minute they were there, then gone the next, very frustrating indeed.
I had previously mentioned to a couple of members that I had purchased a receive loop from W6LVP. I’m looking for it to be an asset during the winter season on 40, 80 & 160. I’m still looking for four (4) DX Q’s to confirm on 80 meters.
How’re your DX Marathon numbers looking? Remember even though you’ve worked a DXCC country before, they count as “brand new” again every year for the CQ DX Marathon. Also for those of you using FT8 / FT4, those contacts count in your Marathon totals as well.
I like to urge each one of you to become involved in MLDXCC by attending meetings, submitting your DX contacts to Club Log, participating in the CQ Marathon and by contributing your contest scores. Please list your log submission under the name “Mother Lode DX Contest Club“.
Also invite new people to club meetings. It doesn’t matter if they are new to the hobby, we all started somewhere. MLDXCC is an award winning DX & Contest Club and with your support we can continue to excel.
It’s time to brush up on your code skills for the fall DX and contest season! Two great resources to help are CW Academy and Learn CW Online.
Don’t wait until the last minute to get your RTTY going for the CQ Worldwide next month, visit Don AA5AU’s excellent RTTY Contesting site for help (or ask on the MLDXCC email list.)
A new four-part interview of noted (and perhaps notorious) DXer and DXpeditioner Don Miller W9WNV was posted recently on the NCDXF chat. Here’s the link to it in case you missed it.
For sale:Bob W1RH has a WaveNode WN2 Digital Watt Meter, with four HF sensors. This unit sells new for $385, with a single sensor. I have been using is in an SO2R configuration with a sensor on the input and output of each amplifier.
That way, I can always see my input and output power. Rick, W6SR, who uses my station remotely more than I do, has depended on the software display to know how much power he’s running.
There are several options for the look of the computer display. And there are several other features such as rotator control and antenna switching but I have just used the wattmeter function.
I’m selling this because I have purchased the Flex PGXL amplifier, which has built in and remotable watt meters. It can be yours for $200.
Bob also has for sale an Array Solutions 6-PAK 6 port SO2R antenna switch – $250
“You see, wire telegraph is a kind of a very, very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? And radio operates exactly the same way: you send signals here, they receive them there. The only difference is that there is no cat.” – Albert Einstein, explaining radio
And a bit of prescience from 1906, stumbled into by your editor:
As of 25 August 2025. You can see complete MLDXCC standings on ClubLog here.
Overall
1
NK7I
232
2
W1SRD
231
3
W6DE
209
4
K6OK
190
5
K6YK
188
CW
1
K6YK
168
2
NO5Z
130
3
K6OK
119
4
NA6O
107
5
N6WM
106
Phone
1
K6YK
118
2
W1SRD
116
3
NO5Z
115
4
N6WM
111
5
K6TQ
101
Data
1
NK7I
223
2
W1SRD
206
3
W6DE
184
4
K7QDX
183
5
K6OK
159
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!
Meeting was called to order at 12:23 p.m. by Vice President Steve Allred, NC6R. There were 10 attending in person, with four more attending via zoom (sign-in sheet). There was one guest, the meeting speaker: Chris Knox, KI1P introduced by Steve Allred. Steve welcomed everyone. Each member introduced themselves.
Old Business
The June minutes were published in the Newsletter. The motion to accept was made by Norm Wilson N6JV, and seconded by Rick Casey, W6RKC.
The Treasurer’s quarterly report motion to accept was made by Rich Cutler, WC6H, and seconded by Norm Wilson, N6JV. Both motions passed unanimously.
The IDXC 2026 convention is scheduled for Santa Maria on April 10 – 12, 2026.
IDXC 2027 has been announced, it is a go. NCDXC will once again be hosting the event scheduled for March 12 -14 2027 in Visalia.
Steve also encouraged us all to promote the club among our ham radio friends.
Next Meeting
Is Scheduled for August 30, location TBD.
A joint meetings with NCCC is in the works, date and location TBD.
Adjournment: Moved by Jay Harmor, KE6GLA and seconded by Steve Allred, NC6R, passed unanimously at 12:45 PM.
Presentation “QSO Party roving in Style” by Chris Knox KI1P. He outlines his acquisition of first one, and then a second retired news van, each with pneumatic masts and converting them to ham radio rover use. Amazing and inspiring stuff. Much more can be found at his website. Rich Cutler asked if there was any difficulty with wind against a big antenna at the top of the mast. Chris explained that each van weighed more than 10,00 pounds, providing ample ballast (and poor gas mileage).
