November 2025
Volume 30 Number 11
Next meeting: November 22nd at The Breakroom in Shingle Springs. Find out more.
Thirty Years Ago this month, a bunch of local hams gathered for pizza at Mountain Mike’s in Martel, and the Mother Lode DX/Contest Club was born!
In this issue: Member reports! – A new monthly feature! – the Tube of the Month – classifieds – DX – focus contests – more funny stuff! – and more!
From the Prez
Well, we all just survived another set of Sweepstakes CW and Phone weekends. As I write this, MLDXCC is in a pretty good position to win our 11th Sweepstakes in a row, but you never know until all of the logs are checked and the final results posted,
The Raw scores for SS CW have been posted in the ARRL website and it is a tie between the Arizona Outlaws and MLDXCC. Note that “raw” scores are the scores submitted by the operator, prior to log checking.
- 1,906,060 – MLDXCC – 24 logs
- 1,900,563 – Arizona Outlaws – 20 logs
The raw scores show us leading by 5,500 points but log checking can change that, so we will wait for the final results.
I want to note that our three smallest scores, from W6RKC, K6ST, and K7RC (K6DGW) made the difference. If those three logs had not been submitted, the Arizona Outlaws would have beat us in CW, based on raw scores and probably log checking.
I can’t thank all of you enough. We had some terrific scores. I’ll say more about this at our next meeting.
The raw scores for SS Phone won’t be out for a couple of weeks, so it’s too early to tell just where we stand. With that said, we have 20 logs submitted so far and the Arizona Outlaws have 11 logs submitted so far.
Our SS Phone scores are just huge, which is typical for our club and I’m totaling 1,493,426 points so far. It’s going to be hard for AOCC to beat this phone score, but we will wait and see.
I am always concerned about some of the big clubs that just might not make the 50-log total, dropping them into the Medium Club Category.
The Florida Contest Group is one of those, but as of today they have submitted more than 50 logs, so I don’t see them as an issue.
Contest Club Ontario, as of today, has 30 logs submitted for CW and 19 logs for Phone. That’s 49 logs. Two more will push them into the Unlimited Category. I took a quick look at their 3830 CW numbers and they are well below our SS CW numbers, but there are also five log scores missing. I’ll have more to say about this at our meeting this Saturday.
There’s always the possibility that some other club out there has come from out of nowhere to clean our clock (as we did 10 years ago) so let’s just wait for the results before we start blowing our horn.
We have lost some of our big point generators in the past year. A couple that come to mind are Fred, KH7Y (now NO5Z) and Bill, N6ZFO. Fred is now in New Mexico and Bill moved to Virginia. We will miss them both.
That’s the bad news.
The good news is that we have had five premier contesters join MLDXCC.
- Hank, W6SX
- Jim, K6JS
- Jim, K9YC
- Al, K6RIM
- Don, K6GHA
I can’t say enough about these guys. All belong to the true “Mother” club, NCCC.
Hank, W6SX, does it all with wire antennas and really doesn’t live that far from us as the crow flies (Mammoth Lakes).
Jim, K6JS, has six pieces of SS lumber in his shack and makes very good wine.
Jim, K9YC, besides being a fantastic contester, is on the ARRL Contest Advisory Board and is also a world authority on ferrites, baluns, RF interference, and audio.
Al, K6RIM, has been very active in the Northern California DX Foundation as well as the Northern California DX Club. He’s also in the Redwood Empire DX Association.
Don, K6GHA, has won several plaques in contests such as CQP and 7QP.
Here’s a look at our claimed raw scores for SS CW:
| CALL | SCORE |
| K6GHA | 47040 |
| K6JS | 118440 |
| K6MM | 77952 |
| K6NV | 70224 |
| K6OK | 112560 |
| K6RC | 113400 |
| K6RIM | 113736 |
| K6ST | 2128 |
| K7RC | 9630 |
| K9YC | 140448 |
| KE6GLA | 38398 |
| KH6TU | 124320 |
| N6GEO | 80640 |
| N6RK | 102240 |
| N6TV | 97744 |
| N6XI | 13680 |
| W1RH | 120120 |
| W1SRD | 95592 |
| W6EU | 101136 |
| W6RKC | 3400 |
| W6SX | 110712 |
| WC6H | 167328 |
| WX5S | 108192 |
| WX6V | 61320 |
Here’s a look at the scores, as of this writing, for SS Phone:
| CALL | SCORE |
| K6BEW | 13566 |
| K6GHA | 39000 |
| K6JS | 38508 |
| K6NV | 55728 |
| K6OK | 48202 |
| K6ST | 13776 |
| K6TQ | 25116 |
| KE8FT | 76626 |
| KH6TU | 92988 |
| N6ACL | 68000 |
| N6GEO | 57720 |
| N6RK | 103916 |
| N6XI | 5000 |
| NR6Q | 144570 |
| W1RH | 72480 |
| W1SRD | 177650 |
| W6LP | 163370 |
| W6SX | 34048 |
| WC6H | 260736 |
| WX6V | 41426 |
Speaking of contesting, how many of you worked “Tina” in Sweepstakes phone? “Tina” is the brainchild of Tim, K3QE. Tim will show you just how far along we are with creating an AI voice for contesting. In a contest, Tim is pushing all of the buttons, but it’s Tina’s voice you hear on the air, and we all know just how a female voice can penetrate the pileups. I saw his presentation in Dayton this year and it was both educational and hilarious. Jim will be our speaker at our meeting this Saturday. I hope to see you there at the Break Room or via Zoom.
From the Veep
It’s that time of year; Sweepstakes CW & SSB have come and gone. How did you do? Did you achieve your QSO goals? Archive a clean sweep?
Sue K6SZQ and I ran in the multi-single category and had good results. We had some challenges to overcome and we able to be on the air for only 14 hours total. At the end of the contest however we managed to log 961 contacts and all 85 mults for a score of 163,370.
Once the log checking is completed, we’ll see if we can retain the top spot in the medium size club category. That is quite an achievement if we’re able to do so! I’d like to personally say thank you to each of you for your effort in the Sweepstakes Contest. Whether you’re a big station or a little pistol, each one of you are valued and needed as part of the MLDXCC team.
As some of you know, I try to keep a balance between DX and Contesting, however a totally new challenge lately for me has been DX on 6 meters. Last week I was able to add 3 new DX country’s to my 6 meter count. I logged 3 contacts with Japan (JA), 8 contacts with ZL (New Zealand (ZL) & 4 with Australia (VK). All this was all done with 85 watts and a 4 element beam. Now if conditions would just open the East Coast so I could log Delaware & Rhode Island and complete 6 meter WAS.
With the wintertime conditions upon us, I’m in the 80 meter antenna building mode. Currently I’m using a pair of crossed switchable inverted V’s (N&S/ E&W) along with a W6LVP receiving loop. Hopefully I can snag a few more DX contacts and complete my 80 meter DXCC. What antennas are you guys running on 80? Please let me know, I’m always interested in hearing about new antenna ideas.
Lastly, it’s that time of year again when we nominate & vote on new officers & board members for the upcoming year. If our club is going to continue to survive; we need new members and new ideas. Please volunteer, participate and vote.
73, Steve / NC6R MLDXCC VP
Secretary’s Report
Minutes of the October 18th Meeting (Round Table Pizza, Jackson).
Breaking News!
(Imagine the sound of a chattering teletype…)
Norm Wilson N6JV reports, “Last month I needed one more DXCC credit to achieve the 3000 level. The KH0/KC0W QSL was checked by W6SR and submitted to the ARRL.
“It still hasn’t been credited but I had worked 6O3T on 12 and 10 meters and they were prompt on sending their data to LOTW. On Monday, I was given credit for 22 new credits for a total of 3001. Its hard to be patient when you get to my age.”
Steve Dyer W1SRD reports “#339, Somalia confirmed via LOTW today 11/7! One more to go to top of Honor Roll – Kerguelen. I hopefully live long enough to see TAAF grant a permit. A bit odd that Somalia was 2nd to last since it’s not super rare, but that’s just how cards fell.”
Dick K6LRN wanted everyone to know about a decent QTH for sale: “There is a house for sale near our Omo Ranch location in (IMO) a great location. 7501 Slug Gulch Rd, Somerset, Ca, 95684 (link to the listing). Has a generator and about five acres. Drawback…about 5 miles to post office, 10 to grocery store and about 20-25 miles into Placerville. Downslope in most directions, slight up slope to the east.”
Recently Posted Articles
Norm N6JV’s Tube of the Month for November
Newly Posted Videos!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel! (We’re up to 8 now! – ed)
DX…
Upcoming Contests
Mark your calendar with our MLDXCC Focus Contests! Up next are:
- December 5-7, 2025: ARRL 160 Meter Contest (CW)
- December 13-14, 2025: ARRL 10 Meter Contest (CW & SSB)
- January 3-4, 2026: ARRL RTTY Roundup (RTTY only)
Other contests of note coming up in the next month or so, via contestcalendar.com:
- December 20, 2025: RAC Winter Contest (CW, Phone)
- December 27-28, 2025: Stew Perry Topband Challenge (CW)
State QSO Parties (via statesqoparty.com):
- Are done for the year! See you in February for the VT, MN, and BC QSO Parties.
Classifieds
Wanted: Rohn-25 tower sections, bottom plate, wall stand off, & top section. If you have any of thiese pieces, let me know along with the price.
Dave, w6de – 530-409-7877 – v8dave@gmail.com
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
Contact Bob W1RH w1rh@yahoo.com.
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!
Quite a few things popped up around the web this month:
Send more funny stuff for the next issue! – Ed.
ClubLog DXCC Standings
As of 16 November 2025. You can see complete MLDXCC standings on ClubLog here. (Bit of a shakeup this month with new members joining the league!)
Overall
| 1 | NK7I | 257 |
| 2 | W1SRD | 254 |
| 3 | W6DE | 231 |
| 4 | K6OK | 216 |
| 5 | K6YK | 204 |
CW
| 1 | K6YK | 182 |
| 2 | K6RIM | 171 |
| 3 | NO5Z | 143 |
| 4 | K6OK | 123 |
| 5 | NA6O | 115 |
Phone
| 1 | W1SRD | 168 |
| 2 | K6YK | 148 |
| 3 | WE6Z | 125 |
| 4 | K6RIM | 123 |
| 5 | NO5Z | 119 |
Data
| 1 | NK7I | 248 |
| 2 | W1SRD | 236 |
| 3 | W6DE | 205 |
| 4 | K7QDX | 200 |
| 5 | K6OK | 188 |
10 and 20 Years Ago in The Nugget
A new feature! Let’s look back a see what we were up to way back when. In the October/November 2015 issue:
- President Shirl AA6K (sk), after an encouraging health update, made a call to action: “We have periodically discussed a MLDXCC entry into the November SS as a medium club. Last year the SCCC won this category with 45 logs totaling 4.5 M points. Thanks to some research done by Bill/N6ZFO last year the MLDXCC members 45 logs totaling 4.4 M points. Most of our logs were submitted for the NCCC but the research indicates that this is possible so lets go for it. The PL-259 guys won the local club category so let’s have 2 gavels in Northern California!!!” (And so it begins… ed.)
- The September meeing was held at the home of Rich (WC6H) and Anja’s place in Burson. Delcious BBQ was enjoyed by all. Notably Stefan AF6SA, Greg NR6Q, and Dennis KA6JLJ were all voted in as new members.
- A joint meeting of the MLDXCC, NCCC, and REDXA was planned for October 31st in Fairfield, with a program by Paul N6PSE on the “DXpedition to Eritrea E30FB”.
- Verne K6DN: “The day finally came when I lifted the tower with the new 3-el SteppIR up in the air. It has been approximately 10 months from the time some folks helped me transport the tower home to making my first contact with the new antenna.” (Just in time for CQP.)
- Al AD6E shared “the first picture from TX3X,” noting, “It was fun in it’s own way. Just wish the sun had cooperated. A=77 was an unpleasant surprise.”
In the November 2005 issue of The Nugget:
- President Dick K6LRN gave “A BIG THANK YOU to Rick Karlquist, N6RK for the interesting and informative talk on receive antennas at the last meeting.” Dick went on to report: “According to numbers extracted from emails, the 3830 score reporting reflector, etc., we are either a few points ahead or behind the Redwood Empire DX Association in club competition in the recent California QSO Party. If all that participated have sent or will send in logs to NCCC by the extended deadline of November 15, we will be about 100,000 points ahead…it is that close this year. Need help with log? Contact me or Jim. Every point counts!!”
- VP Jim WX6V also noted that “Looks like we are running neck & neck with REDXA (as of the latest score posting on the NCCC website 10/30/05). Several club members have not yet posted their scores…” Jim went on to mention, “Then there was the successful MLDXCC CQWW SSB operation at K6KM just a weekend ago. Our group of club members – in no particular order – WK6I, NU6T, N6NIA, W6SR, N6RK, ND6S, & K6KM – made 1,825 contacts for a final score of 1,758,718. Nice going guys!!”
- In member news, from Rick N6RK, “I got my beverages up for the season just in time for the CQWW phone. I operated from Galt Friday night and got my first European on 160 phone. I also worked V26B, who had extremely high receive noise and wasn’t hearing the other west coast callers.”
- Another Rick N6XI, “I replaced my 3el SteppIR with a 4el version of the same antenna. This doubles boom length to 32′ and is intended to give me slight increases in CQ answer rate and FCAP (first call answered percentage) and a slight decrease in MTBP (mean time to break pileups).”
Did these snippets from 10 and 20 years ago trigger any good memories? If so, please send them for inclusion in the next issue of The Nugget!
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!
