Category: Meetings

Respectfully Submitted, G. “Skip” Chraft, N6NFB

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.
• CQ WW DX  Contest, RTTY Sept 27 – 28th.
• AWA AM QSO Party Sept 27 – 28th.

More info can be found at contestcalendar.com

Upcoming DX Events

DX info is available at NG3K.com and DX425 News.

Announcements/Discussion

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.

Respectfully Submitted, G. “Skip” Chraft, N6NFB

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.

New Business

Confirming and updating of MLDXCC focus contests list was discussed.

ARRL SS CW/PH, ARRL DX Phone/CW, ARRL 10 Meter, ARRL 160 Meter, Cal QSO Party. Approved at the Nov 12, 2016 general meeting. 

Adding the ARRL RRTY roundup was suggested.

The club placed second in the last Cal QSO party, all members encouraged to participate this year.

Member Achievements

Jay Harmor, KE6GLA received a plaque for his National win In the June ARRL VHF contest, QRP.

Norm Wilson, N6JV, received the QSL card for his EME contact from E6 land he reported last month.

Steve Allred, NC6R, has 3 to go for 80 meter DXCC..

Upcoming Contests

• NAQP CW, August 2nd
• NCCC 55th anniversary celebration and contest, August 9th.
• Kentucky “Parks on the Air”, August 9th.
• NAQP SSB, August 16th.
• ARRL Rookie Roundup RTTY, August 17th.
• Ohio QSO Party, August 23rd.
• Hawaii QSO Party, August 23rd.
• US Islands QSO Party, August 30th.
• Colorado QSO Party, August 30th.
• Kansas QSO Party, August 30th.

More info can be found at contestcalendar.com

Upcoming DX Events

• South Cook Is. E51KEE
• ST. KITTS & NEVIS V47JA
• BRITISH VIRGIN IS. VP2V
• GREENLAND DL6YYM
• GUATEMALA TG4
• DODECANESE SV5
• PALAU T8
• BENIN TY2AA
• CHILE 3G1P

DX info is available at NG3K.com and DX425 News.

Announcements/Discussion

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).

Respectfully Submitted, G. “Skip” Chraft, N6NFB

Meeting was called to order at 12:27 p.m. by Vice President Steve Allred, NC6R. There were 12  attending in person, with three more attending via zoom. Of these there were three guests.There was one guest: Randy Keen, K6TVT introduced by Steve Allred. Steve welcomed everyone. Each member introduced themselves.

Old Business

The May minutes were published in the Newsletter.

The Treasurer’s reports are now being done on a quarterly basis, so there is no report  presented during this meeting.

New Business

None

Member Achievements

Norm Wilson, N6JV, worked his long sought E6 prefix via moonbounce.

Jay Harmor, KE6GLA, activated 3 summits recently.

Skip Chraft, N6NFB, made just under 200 Q’s in 9 hours in the ARRL Digital contest.

Upcoming Contests

Can be found at contestcalendar.com

 DX info is available at NG3K.com and DX425 News.

Announcements/Discussion

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 Allred recognized Norm Wilson, N6JV for his tireless effort as the former newsletter editor. He also thanks Jeff Stai, Wk6I, for stepping up, and making a great newsletter and website upgrades.

Steve also encouraged us all to promote the club among our ham radio friends. 

Next Meeting

Is Scheduled for July 26, location TBD. 

A joint meetings with NCCC is in the works, date and location.

Adjournment: Moved and seconded, passed unanimously at 12:41 PM.

Craig Thompson, K9CT, gave a fascinating virtual tour of his super station. His station defines what a super contesting station should be!

Respectfully Submitted, G. “Skip” Chraft, N6NFB

Meeting was called to order at 12:14 p.m. by Vice President Steve Allred, NC6R. There were 22 attending in person, with three more attending via zoom. Of these there were three guests.

Steve welcomed everyone. Each member and guest introduced themselves.

Old Business:

Steve thanked Sue for presiding over the meeting when he was unavailable.

The March minutes were published in the March Newsletter.

The Treasurer’s reports are now being done on a quarterly basis, so there is no report presented during this meeting.

Steve Allred said that we have nominations for the three club director positions, Jeff Stai, WK6I, Rich Cutler, WC6H, and Rich Hill NU6T. Rick Samoian, W6SR made the motion to accept the nominations, and Greg Glenn, NR6Q. seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

New Business: None

Member Achievements:

Norm Wilson, N6JV, commented on his DXCC status. Greg Glenn, NR6Q, said that he worked TX9A Austral Island.

Upcoming Contests: CQ WW WPX, Arkansas and Canadian QSO parties. Also upcoming are the Stew Perry Topband contest and the ARRL Kid’s Day.

Upcoming DX operations include Guernsey, East Sawatini, Vanuatu, and Pelau.

Announcements/Discussion

Planning has begun for the IDX to be held in Santa Maria next year. Rick Samoian W6SR said that he will do DXCC QSL card checking.

Next Meeting is scheduled for June 21 at the Break Room in Shingle Springs. Program to be a virtual tour of the K9CT super station.

Adjournment:

Rick Samoian, W6SR, moved to adjourn the business meeting and move to the presentation. Jason Pritchard, KE5JTS seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Meeting was adjourned at 12:33 p.m.

Presentation:

Chuck Leader, AA6XX gave a fascinating presentation on 6 meter DXing. He gave with many bits of advice from his years of 6 meter activities and studies of 6 meter propagation.

At the February MLDXCC meeting Bob W1RH conducted a sort of trivia contest of various DXing and contesting questions. Here are the questions with the possible answers to choose from.

1 – The Following Contests Allow Self Spotting. Check all that apply:

ARRL SWEEPSTAKES
CQWW
IARU WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
NAQP

2 – K1LZ HAS A M/M REMOTE CONTEST STATION IN WHICH STATE?

Vermont
Maine
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Massachusetts

3- In the North American QSO Party, the exchange is state/province and name. You do not need to use
your own name. In the January NAQP, WO4O used W1N as a special event callsign. What name did he
use?

Chiefs
Bills
Trump
Eagles

4 – THE P49Y CONTEST STATION IS LOCATED IN WHICH ENTITY?

Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Carriacou

5 – THE WINNERS OF THE 2024 SS CLUB COMPETITION ARE (Unlimited, Medium, Small):

PVRC, SCCC, PL259
PVRC, MLDXCC, PL259
YCCC, NCCC, Arizona Outlaws

6 – THE MLDXCC CLUB CALL IS

K6TA
K6AO
K6KO
W6FI

7 – A FT8 CONTEST QSO CAN BE LOGGED WHEN YOU RECEIVE:

73
RRR
RR73
All of the above

8 – A STATION OPERATING 2BSIQ CAN USE WHICH MODES?

SSB
CW
RTTY
FT8
All of the above

9 – 4U1WB COUNTS FOR WHICH DXCC ENTITY?

USA
UN HQ
ITU HQ
Austria

10 – HOW MANY CURRENT DXCC ENTITIES ARE THERE?

331
339
340
344

11 – THE PREFIX, FP, IS IN WHICH CQ ZONE?

14
15
2
5

12 – THE VP8PJ DXPEDITION OPERATED FROM:

South Sandwich Islands
South Orkney Islands
Falkland Islands
South Georgia Islands

13 – THE PREFIX, VP9, IS IN WHICH CQ ZONE?

8
5
7
13

14 – WHAT WAS THE CALL OF THE FAILED BOUVET DXPEDITION?

3Y0J
3Y0I
3Y0K
3Y0Z

15 – ON A MULTI-ELEMENT YAGI, THE AZIMUTH AT WHICH MAX SIGNAL REJECTION OCCURS IS:

To the rear
To the front
To the side
Above the antenna

16 – THE BATTLE CREEK SPECIAL IS A:

Multi-band vertical
RTTY Modem
Single-band vertical
Mobile antenna

17 – JAMES BROOKS HAS RECORDED MANY DXPEDITIONS. WHAT IS HIS CALL SIGN?

ON6WW
W6JB
9V1YC
5X1Z

18 – THE VK0IR DXPEDITION WAS ON WHICH ISLAND?

Macquarie Island
Mellish Reef
Kermadec Island
Heard Island

19 – THE K5K DXPEDITION TO KINGMAN REEF COUNTS FOR DXCC

Yes
No

20 – WHO COINED THE PHRASE, THE DESERVING?

Lloyd Colvin, W6KG
Don Wallace, W6AM
Hugh Cassidy WA6AUD
Bip Bachmann W6BIP

At the February MLDXCC meeting Bob W1RH conducted a sort of trivia contest of various DXing and contesting questions. Here are the questions with the correct answers.

1 – The Following Contests Allow Self Spotting. Check all that apply

ARRL SWEEPSTAKES
NAQP

SELF SPOTTING MEANS THAT YOU SPOT YOURSELF INSTEAD OF RELYING ON OTHERS

2 – K1LZ HAS A M/M REMOTE CONTEST STATION IN WHICH STATE?

Maine – Krazzy is from Bulgaria (LZ prefix).

3 – IN THE LAST NAQP, WO4O USED THE SPECIAL EVENT CALL, W1N. WHAT NAME DID HE USE?

TRUMP

4 – THE P49Y CONTEST STATION IS LOCATED IN WHICH ENTITY?

Aruba – Also P49L. Built by Carl, AI6V, as P49V. P49Y is Andy, AE6Y. P49L is John, W6LD

5 – THE WINNERS OF THE 2024 SS CLUB COMPETITION ARE (Unlimited, Medium, Small):

PVRC, MLDXCC, PL259 – (we hope)

6 – THE MLDXCC CLUB CALL IS

K6AO – Was John Fogg, Portola Valley, CA

7 – A FT8 CONTEST QSO CAN BE LOGGED WHEN YOU RECEIVE:

ALL OF THE ABOVE

8 – A STATION OPERATING 2BSIQ CAN USE WHICH MODES?

ALL OF THE ABOVE – TWO BAND SYNCHRONIZED INTERLEAVED QSO’S.

9 – 4U1WB COUNTS FOR WHICH DXCC ENTITY?

USA (WORLD BANK)

10 – HOW MANY CURRENT DXCC ENTITIES ARE THERE?

340

11 – THE PREFIX, FP, IS IN WHICH CQ ZONE?

5 – ST PIERRE AND MIQUELON

12 – THE VP8PJ DXPEDITION OPERATED FROM:

SOUTH ORKNEY ISLANDS

13 – THE PREFIX, VP9, IS IN WHICH CQ ZONE?

5

14 – WHAT WAS THE CALL OF THE FAILED BOUVET DXPEDITION?

3Y0Z – THE DXPEDITION FAILED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT SAFELY LAND. THE BOAT GOT TO APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE FROM THE ISLAND

15 – ON A MULTI-ELEMENT YAGI, THE AZIMUTH AT WHICH MAX SIGNAL REJECTION OCCURS IS:

TO THE SIDE – A SHARP BROADSIDE NULL
ABOVE THE ANTENNA

16 – THE BATTLE CREEK SPECIAL IS A:

MULTI-BAND VERTICAL (40/80/160) – WERE OFTEN USED ON DXPEDITIONS

17 – JAMES BROOKS HAS RECORDED MANY DXPEDITIONS. WHAT IS HIS CALL SIGN?

9V1YC – HE HAS FILMED MANY MAJOR DXPEDITIONS. HE OWNS A PRODUCTION COMPANY IN SINGAPORE

18 – THE VK0IR DXPEDITION WAS ON WHICH ISLAND?

HEARD ISLAND – 1997

19 – THE K5K DXPEDITION 2000 TO KINGMAN REEF COUNTS FOR DXCC

NO (Deleted March 19th, 2016 – was administered by US NAVY. Changed to US Fish and Wildlife, which also administers nearby Palmyra. Now counts as Palmyra/Jarvis.

20 – WHO COINED THE PHRASE, THE DESERVING?

HUGH CASSIDY, WA6AUD (first used in the West Coast DX Bulletin)