Meeting was called to order at 12:27 p.m. by President Steve Allred, NC6R. There were 6 members attending in person, and one guest. None were attending via zoom. Steve welcomed everyone. All attending introduced themselves.
Old Business
Steve noted that the ARRL RTTY Roundup plaque has been funded, and also that the donation to IDXC for name badges/lanyards has been sent.
New Business
The 2nd treasurer’s report was published in the July newsletter. Rich Cutler, WC6H moved to accept the report as published. Bob Kehr, KA9MDP, seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
The minutes of the June 13th meeting were published in the July newsletter. Steve Allred, NC6R, moved to accept the minutes as published. Jason Pritchard, KE5TS, seconded the motion, which passed unanimously
Member Achievements
Those in attendance shared some recent achievements.
Announcements/Discussion
Steve Allred, NC6R listed several upcoming contests, and reminded members they can find all contests at contestcalendar.com/index
Steve also gave a quick run-down of the upcoming DX opportunities, which can be found at ng3k.com
Steve encouraged all to continue to spread the word about MLDXCC. Invite them to come and “test drive” the club.
An informal round table discussion was held regarding Club Log.
Discussion about future meetings – Rich Cutler suggested a picnic at his QTH – he will check his calendar and get back to us.
Next meeting is scheduled for July 25th at 11:30am at the Round Table Pizza in Martel. Program is TBD. Find out more.
Thirty Years Ago, a bunch of local hams gathered for pizza at Mountain Mike’s Round Table in Martel, and the Mother Lode DX/Contest Club was born!
In this issue: Missives! – Club Biz – QSLs! – Points Generator! – state QSO parties – a look back 10 & 20 years – classifieds – DX – focus contests? – funny stuff! – Club Log updates – and more!
From the Prez
MLDXCC,
As you read this Field Day 2026 has come and gone. Did you participate?
I’ve heard reports that some the MLDXCC members were active at various locations. How did it go for you? I ran the solar / generator class from home and logged a number of new operators…..very encouraging.
If you were not able to attend the joint meeting of MLDXCC / NCCC, you missed a good one. Bob, K3EST gave a presentation on the how’s and why’s of propagation. His presentation answered some questions and then created even more!
Although the propagation forecast looks to be on a downward trend, it’s hard to tell by some resent activity. 6 meters in particular has provided frequent band opens into Europe and Asia.
For those of you looking for a different type of radio activity, the California State Fair kicks off Friday, July 17, and runs through August 2. They are always looking for operators who are willing get on the from home and operate using the call sign K6C. I recommend this event as it helps to keep you “up to speed” during the contest season lull. Here’s the link to sign up as K6C:
Also the WPARC Ham Fest will be held on Saturday Sep 19 at McBean Park in Lincoln. This swap meet has proven to be a good place to pick up more goodies for your shack.
How’s your DX and marathon contacts progressing? Speaking of DX, August 15–22, Henri OJ0JR and Anne OJ0YL plan to activate Märket Reef, bringing this rare OJ0 entity back on the air. 3YØL Also Peter I Island is scheduled for February 2027 and currently listed as #7 on Club Log’s most wanted list.
Breaking news – VK9WX Willis Island, #36 most wanted has been heard on the air the last several evenings on 40, 20 & 15 meters SSB. Check with the ANZA Net boys on 14.183; he’s been heard checking in there. Another rare one is now active!
If you’ve not yet paid your dues for 2026, please consider doing so. Cost yearly is $30 individual, $45 for a family. Thank you for your membership and participation.
MLDXCC is a premier DX/Contest Club, our continued success can’t be done without you. Thank you for your membership and participation.
For your info, here are good contest & DX web links –
Dues are still due (we run our finances January – December), and at the November 2025 meeting those in attendance voted to increase dues to $30 per individual and $45 for a family. That’s a steal – only $2.50/month (or $3.75/mo for a family) – just 58 cents a week! Show your club some support and pay your dues today – you can pay them by:
Sending a check payable to MLDXCC to our treasurer, Sue K6SZQ at 17610 Red Mule Road Fiddletown, CA 95642
Paying through Paypal – motherlodeclub@gmail.com Make sure that you spell Motherlode correctly, and choose the “friends and family option” to avoid us having to pay fees.
Best way: Bringing a check or cash with you to the meeting! Hope to see you there.
Focus contests for 2026-2027 should be on the agenda in the next couple of meetings – think about which contests you’d like, and contribute to the decision!
Other contests of note coming up in the next month or so, via contestcalendar.com:
August 29-30: Kansas QSO Party (CW, SSB, Digital including RTTY and FT modes)
Classifieds
C’mon folks, buy this stuff! Make offers!
For sale: Rebuilt AL80B w/ W8JI mods. Testing on 40 SSB. New 3-500 tube, new soft start resistor, glitch resistor and bias transistor. Amp currently wired for 240 VAC. $1,050 or offer. Steve – nc6r4dx@gmail.com
For Sale and Wanted: Skip N6NFB is selling a US Tower TX-455 (used, very good) with tilt fixture, Yaesu 800 rotor, and 15 foot mast tube $1100. And also selling a US Tower MA-40 tubular tower. New old stock, still on shipping pallets. $250. Skip – N6NFBskip@gmail.com
The June 2006 meeting was once again held at Senior Services Center in Jackson. This was a joint meeting with NCCC, and guest speaker Alan Eshleman, K6SRZ presenting “The 2005 K7C DXpedition”. It was also a potluck! Do you remember what you brought?
President Rich NU6T: “Field Day and IARU, from cacophony to hush. What a contrast. I’m looking forward to more sunspots. I thought I’d do better with WRTC stations since I usually do well with SA stations. Only managed two: one phone and one CW. I found N1MM CW easy to set up and the automation was a lot of fun. I’m sure the ops I worked preferred the N1MM 20 wpm sent code more than they would have my still shaky 20 wpm hand code.”
Field Day coordinator Jim WX6V published the club results.
Band
CW
SSB
Total
80m
146
115
261
40m
635
322
957
20m
476
730
1,206
15m
50
19
69
6m
0
59
59
2m
0
47
47
GOTA
93
154
247
Totals
1,400
1,446
2,846
QSO Points: 8,492
Bonus Points: 990
Claimed Score: 9,482
“Folks – that’s the highest Field Day score our club has made in the past four years! And – we did this with only 8 operators running four stations. Not too shabby!! Last year’s score was 8,902, which landed us in 13th place nationwide in Class 2A and third place in California in that class.”
In member news, Ken, K6TA/1: “We’re in Maine visiting grandkids but will be back in time for joint meeting. Our email service has been spotty at best. Kay promises to get minutes done this week. Before leaving California we both worked YT6AO phone and cw for new one; #370 mixed, #360 Phone and #344 CW for me.”
The July 2016 meeting was held at “Rockfield Corners” in Fairfield, CA. There were two programs listed for July:
1) CQ WW CW Dxpedition 9K2HN (Kuwait) by Bob W6RGG (Operation was by a team of nine operators from Kuwait, USA, and the UK) 2) TX3X Chesterfield 2015 DXexpedition by Steve W1SRD
No word on why the TX3X show didn’t happen in June.
President Shirl AA6K updated his health issues, “I am going to have surgery to remove a cancerous growth from my right lung on Monday July 18th. The surgery will take place at the new(ish) Kaiser Hospital on Dale Road in Modesto.”
Update 7/20/2016: “Well I went into surgery about 2:30 on Monday afternoon. The procedure lasted about 5 hours. Things seem to be going well but with the big C you never know.”
Update 7/21/2016: “Well folk, thanks for your prayers. They worked!!! I was released this afternoon and my son Daniel drove me home. I do not yet know if chemo is in the cards but my surgeon seemed quite pleased with the result, so far. They have taken 4 X-ray’s post surgery and they are cautiously optimistic at this time. I’m supposed to get a detailed “way forward” tomorrow. In the meanwhile it’s nap time.”
VP Dennis NJ6G: “I really enjoyed our June meeting. The location, although a bit loud at times, had great food and friendly staff, and the presentation by Jim N6TQ was top notch.” (TX3X mystery solved?)
From the minutes: “Jim Coletto N6TQ, one of the operators on the recently completed VK0EK Heard Island DXpedition. He told about preparations, the 12 day trip from Capetown, SA to Heard and activities like launching buoys for measuring water temperature. Once there, he told about landing, setting up and the weather during operation. For me, one of the high spots was a roster of some MLDX/CC members contacting the expedition and the specific operator at the time. Jim said Braveheart charter fees were about $175,000 with the overall costs in the $600,000s. Money came from expedition ops, various foundations, clubs & other organizations plus contributions from individuals. Once the expedition was finished, it was another 12 days sailing to Fremantle, Australia.”
And Editor Rick W6SR, “OK I think I expressed my feeling on Summer radio conditions last month. So no more Corvette stuff this month.”
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 12:25 p.m. by President Steve Allred, NC6R. There were 9 attending in person, including 1 guest (sign-in sheet). Steve welcomed everyone. Each member introduced themselves.
Steve and members discussed Jason Pritchard’s need for clarity on the use of Off-center-fed antennas.
Old Business
There was no old business, no February meeting so no minutes to approve.
New Business
Steve introduced member applications for four applicants:
Jim Selma, K6JS,
Bill Sirvatka, WX6B,
Bob Wolbert, K6XX,
Rich Siefert, KE1B.
Each was accepted by unanimous vote.
Member Achievements
Skip Chraft, N6NFB, made a 6 meter contact to Australia, FT8, at about 10 PM local.
Steve Allred, NC6R needs one more confirmed on 80 meters for DXCC.
Announcements/Discussion
Steve Allred, NC6R spoke about the need for club members to embrace the Parks on the Air operators because it is a fast growing group which is starting to develop it’s own contests. He also spoke about the need to accept FT8 mode.
Steve asked Skip Chraft about his DX marathon activity on FT8 in the context of accepting that mode. He said he has 142 countries to date.
Rich and Rick have filled out Point Generator Profiles. Jason Pritchard still needs access to club log.
The 2026 DX & Contest convention will be April 10 – 12th in Santa Maria.
The 2027 international DX Convention has been announced. It will be in Visalia tentative date March 12 – 14th 2027.
Next Meeting
The next meeting date is proposed for May 16th, location TBA.
Adjournment: Motion to adjourn was made by Randy Keen, K6TVT, seconded by Brandt Woodward, K6BEW. The meeting was adjourned at 12:53 PM.
