The Nugget – May 2025

All the news from the home of the very first Cinco de Mayo celebration…

The next meeting of the MLDXCC will be on May 10th in Lodi. Find out more right here.

From the Prez

Hello DX’ers and Contesters,

It’s interesting how I became the President of this club again… especially when I said I would not do it. I’m just too involved in our Community Emergency Radio Assn, CERA, the non-profit organization supporting the El Dorado County Amateur Radio Club, the El Dorado County Neighborhood Radio Watch, and El Dorado County ARES. I am also a board member with the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council and am the Chair of the Coloma-Lotus fire Safe Council. In short, that’s all the bandwidth I have.

So, as things were going downhill, at that lightly attended meeting at the end of the year, Steve NC6R reminded everyone that the Southern California DX Club folded because no one would agree to run the club. He also said that there was nothing we could do since he was termed out except perhaps to do a bylaws modification. At that point, and perhaps without a lot of thought, I suggested that I take on the position of President on paper and Steve take on the position of VP on paper. I continue arranging meetings and speakers and Steve continues to run the club.

And that’s how we’re making this club survive today. And, I’m asking myself why I’m taking the time to write a President’s article for the Nugget when I’m really only a paper prez!

OK, end of rant, unless you want to hear me rant about all of the email QSL’s I’ve been getting in the past few months. Makes me want to take my email address off of QRZ…

Now to the good stuff.

We have a terrific meeting this month. “6 meter DX’ing, From Northern California”. Our speaker is Chuck, NA6XX, and he will be giving his talk in person at Habanero Hots, on May 10th in Lodi. We will also stream this meeting. I’m told that the internet is good at that location, so cross your fingers.

Next month, Craig Thompson, K9CT, will do a talk and virtual tour of his incredible contest station, in Illinois. The meeting will be at the Break Room, on June 21st, in Shingle Springs, and we will stream it via Zoom.

Stu, K6TU, will also be doing a talk for us on his great propagation website, K6TU.net. No date or location yet.

We may also do a joint meeting with NCCC. And, I am working on several other super speakers, thanks to the magic of Zoom.

I want to thank Jeff, WK6I, for taking on the job of newsletter editor and running the website. Also, thanks to Norm, N6JV, for doing both of these tasks for years prior to handing it all over to Jeff. Norm will continue to do those great tube articles that I look forward to every month.

If we’re going to grow this club, we need to get the word out to the local clubs as to when we have our meetings. Please help us out and notify your club of our meeting dates and presentations. – Bob W1RH

Articles

Santa Maria 2026 DX & Contest Convention

Norm N6JV’s Tube of the Month

A Ham Radio Station for Jenna by Gary Johnson, NA6O, and Jim Ewing, N4TMM

Humor!

Send more funny stuff for the next issue! Thanks Sue K6SZQ for this one! – Ed.

Classifieds

 “I have three items for sale. All the items are on a make and offer basis. The items below are excess to my need, since I live in a HOA 55 plus community. I use a remote station location at W1RH’s QTH. Call or email me for more info. or offers.” de Rick, W6SR ricksamoian@outlook.com or (530) 672-2885.

Johnson KW matchbox very nice condition. This is an original unit that has NOT been modified.

Honeywell 4 cycle KW inverter sine wave generator. Used for portable operating. Quiet, and perfect for K3 and KPA 500.

ClubLog DXCC Standings

As of 7 May 2025. You can see complete MLDXCC standings on ClubLog here.

Overall

1	NK7I	220
2	W1SRD	215
3	W6DE	194
4	K6YK	178
5	K6OK	162

CW

1	K6YK	149
2	NO5Z	116
3	NA6O	104
4	N6WM	104
5	W1SRD	99

Phone

1	K6YK	115
2	NO5Z	114
3	W1SRD	114
4	N6WM	111
5	K6TQ	101

Data

1	NK7I	209
2	W1SRD	182
3	W6DE	173
4	K7QDX	163
5	K6OK	139

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!