Welcome to the Spokane DX Association Serving Eastern Washington and North Idaho
Upcoming WORKSHOPS
N1MM+ CW Workshop – Sweepstakes and CQWW CW Contests
The Presenter: Randy (K7TQ)
Date: October 29th on Zoom
Time: 7:00 PM
The IDXA and SDXA are partnering on a workshop focusing on using N1MM+ in CW Sweepstakes and CQWW CW Contests. N1MM+ is used by over 95% of all contest leaders.
The workshop will include:
- Using Clusters effectively
- Suggested window layouts
- Using Super Check Partial
- Using history files
- N1MM+’s Entry Window and the Sweepstakes Exchange
- Setting up Function Keys”
Note: N1MM has a unique and very helpful way of parsing the long SS (Sweepstakes) exchange. One of the major reasons for using N1MM in SS.
Zoom login Link available on SDXA groups.io user group
Using N3FJP Contest Software Workshop
Presenter: Mike (K7STO) and Host: Mel (N7GCO)
Date: November 2, 2020
Time: 7:00 PM (I will open the zoom session at 6:45 PM)
The workshop will take you through the entire process of using N3FJP Contest software for a contest:
- Set up (Country files, Super Partial Checker, Spotting, Rig control)
- Working the contest (Multipliers, Dup checking)
- After the contest: Creating Cabrillo log, printing contest report, exporting to regular log checker, saving files.
Zoom login Link available on SDXA groups.io user group
NEXT SDXA MEETING
November 5, 2020
Jim Barber (N7CXI) – “Modern HF Amplifiers & SDR Designs”
Jim is designing his own Amp and uses SDR extensively
Jim has over 30 years’ experience in the design and implementation of firmware and software-based products for audio, RF and other industries. He holds US patents in audio DSP and robotics, and currently serves as Senior Software Engineer for F5 Networks in Liberty Lake WA.
New to HF Workshop November 7, 2020
WORKSHOP FILLED – ENROLLMENT NOW CLOSED
This workshop is designed for Amateur radio operators who would like to get into HF. This workshop is especially designed for new General License hams and those who have not gotten into HF yet. We will cover the basic equipment (power Supplies, HF radios, HF antennas, and computer relating including logging) you need to get started. You will be provided with specific recommendations. The focus is on how to do it on a limited budget. There will be time for questions and answers as well as coaching.
Seminar Leaders: Mel Ming (N7GCO) and Del Morissette (WA7AQH)
Date: November 7, 2020
Time: 9:00 am – Noon
On Zoom
December SDXA Awards Meeting
Date: December 3, 2020
Time: 7:00 PM
Speaker: Paul Ewing N6PSE, President of The Intrepid DX Group, will be our speaker for the December Spokane DX Association Awards Meeting.
Some of Intrepid DX Group DXpeditions have included:
- YI9PSE — Iraq
- 3D2R — Rotuma
- ST0R – South Sudan
- 3D2C — Conway Reef
- VP8SGI — South Georgia and VP8STI South Sandwich
- VP8 –- South Orkney Island
Paul will be sharing:
- Who makes up the Intrepid DX Group?
- Where they are going next?
- How they pick their destinations?
- How do they keep good chemistry on the team?
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
January 7, 2021
Geoff Howard (W0CG/PJ2DX) will be sharing updates on the happenings at PJ2T
Geoff Howard (W0CG/PJ2DX) was inducted into the CQ Contest Hall of Fame 2020 at Contest University. This is one of the highest awards any contester can receive. Those in the CQ Contest Hall of Fame are the giants of Amateur Radio.
February 4, 2021
Janet Lowrey (WX7P) “Building an antenna farm”
Janet has been building an antenna farm in Benton City. Janet will be sharing lessons learned – things that went right and things that didn’t.
March 4, 2021
Doug Grant (K1DG) “Optimizing Your Station for Contest Operations”
Doug is author of the excellent book “Amateur Radio Contesting for Beginners.” He was Chairman of the highly successful 2014 World Radiosport Team Championship. Doug is a regular speaker at Contest University.
April 1, 2021
Chuck Williams (KI7DG) “Paper Chasing: Strategies for Success”
Chuck is the ultimate expert on paper chasing. Literally every wall in his shack is covered with plaques and certificated. Learn about the fun of chasing and getting awards. Chuck is the master at this.
May 6, 2021
Mike Buettner (K7STO) “Ham how to do things”
Mike will be sharing half a dozen hints on how to be more effective: labeling coax, batteries for the MFJ analyzer, GPS time for remote FT8 timing and several others.
Before Mike’s retirement to Moses Lake he was a Master Electrician, State Electrical Inspector, State Electrical Plans Examiner.
SDXA DX Net
Every Wednesday morning at 8 AM on 3808 Lower Side Band.
Net Controller will be Murf (N7UVH)
The net will be:
- An open net with focus on club news, events, HF and general interests.
Run on a list
Started out by taking a check in list.
We will see if any club officers are on the net with news or information on the club. - First time down list will be weather at your QTH,
- Next is what every each person wants to talk about
- Third time down list will be comments on the list or whatever you might like.
- Last will be final comments and questions
- Check ins are encouraged to have a pen and paper to write down who you follow and who you turn it to on list and also for your thoughts.
SDXA CLUB LEADERS
SDXA Officers
President – Gary Bytnar (AD7XG) — Card Checker & Room Setup
Vice President – Mel Ming (N7GCO) — Programs, User Group & Webmaster
Secretary – Jay Holcomb (WA0WWW) — Contests & Spokane Hamfest
Treasurer – John Gager (K7KB) — Membership & Webmaster
SDXA Leaders & Activity Teams
Club Log – Pat (Murph) Murphy (N7UVH)
DXing – Mel Ming (N7GCO), Bob Hallock (K7TM), & Mike Buettner (K7STO)
DX Net – Pat (Murph) Murphy (N7UVH)
Field Day – David Wilhelm (WA7TNT) & Mike Buettner (K7STO)
Health and Welfare of Members – Gary Swartout (K7GS)
Historian – Steve Sala (K7AWB)
K7SDX Trustee – Dick Snell (W7BHP)
New HF Mentoring & Remote Station – Del Morissette (WA7AQH)
Photographers – Jeff Banke (NZ2S) & Bob Hallock (K7TM)
Refreshments – Mike Buettner (K7STO), Bob Lee (N7AU), Diane Lee (KB7JPX), Tom Flint (KC7UG) & Cathy Flint (KB7BEK)
QSL Card Checkers — Gary Bytnar (AD7XG) & Bruce Wade (N7ZA)
Technical – Bob Zavrel (W7SX)
Webmasters – John Gager (K7KB), Mel Ming (N7GCO), & Del Morissette (WA7AQH)
MOST WANTED LIST (TOP 25)
FOR NORTH AMERICA, WEST COAST
AS OF July 20, 2020
from ClubLog
1. FT5/W CROZET ISLAND
2. SV/A MOUNT ATHOS
3. P5 DPRK NORTH KOREA
4. 3Y/B BOUVET ISLAND
5. FT/G GLORIOSO ISLAND
6. YK SYRIA
7. FT5/X KERGUELEN ISLAND
8. BV9P PRATAS ISLAND
9. ZS8 PRINCE EDWARD & MARION ISLANDS
10. EZ TURKMENISTAN
11. BS7H SCARBOROUGH REEF
12. 3A MONACO
13. CE0X SAN FELIX ISLANDS
14. PY0T TRINDADE & MARTIM VAZ ISLANDS
15. T5 SOMALIAAP PAKISTAN
16. YV0 AVES ISLAND
17. 5A LIBIA
18. Z6 REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO
19. 3Y/P PETER 1 ISLAND
20. VK0M MACQUARIE ISLAND
21. VU7 LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS
22. PY0S SAINT PETER AND PAUL ROCKS
23. FT/T TROMELIN ISLAND
24. ET ETHIOPIA
25. EP IRAN
This list is taken from the ClubLog MOST WANTED section using filtering for North America, NA West Coast, all bands, all modes. The ClubLog list covers all 340 entities. ClubLog is free to join with many SDXA members joining.
DXPEDITION SOLICITATIONS
ALL DXpedition funding requests are to be in writing to the club’s mailing address. Since funding is limited, in this manner, our DXpedition funding committee can give your request the consideration it deserves.
For additional info, try this SOLAR LINK for everything you ever wanted to know about the current Sun at the SolarHam site by VE3EN
Link to SPACEWEATHER.COM, a quick source for the daily activity on the sun
Link to NOAA SPACEWEATHER
What is this?
The Miscellaneous Area
SDXA CALENDAR
2020
- October 24-25 CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest
- October 29, 2020 N1MM- CW Workshop
- November 4, 2020 SDXA DX Net
- November 5, 2020 SDXA Meeting on Zoom
- November 7, 2020 New to HF Workshop
- November 7-8, 2020 ARRL Sweepstakes CW Contest
- November 11, 2020 SDXA DX Net
- November 21-22, 2020 ARRL Sweepstakes SSB Contest
- November 28-29, 2020 CQ WW DX CW Contest
JOIN THE SDXA
Regular dues – $20 per person.
Second family member – $10.
Under 19 years of age are free.
DUES LINK.
We accept PayPal too.
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NW HAM RADIO CONVENTION & SWAP MEETS
Lynn N7CFO keeps the best listing.
More Information
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CLUB CARD CHECKERS
Gary Bytnar AD7XG
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IA ETHICS OPER PROCEDURES
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OUTSIDE HELP IN ANTENNAS & TOWERS
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DX NEWS LINKS
1. DX WORLD.NET
2. ANNOUNCED DX OPERATIONS
3. DX SUMMIT
4. I2MQP DX NEWS
5. DXER.ORG (Lone Star DX)
6. DXWATCH.COM
7. DAILY DX
8. DXMAPS
9. DX UNIVERSITY
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CONTESTING LINKS
There are a lot of links to contesting activities in the DX/Contesting drop down menu above the 24-hour clock on the right of this page. But here are a couple of the best.
1. WA7BNM
2. CONTESTING.COM
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INTERNET ENTITY PRONOUNCER
How do you pronounce a DX entity’s name? Here is a link to the pronouncing. There is also a audio link to a human voice saying the entity’s name correctly. This authority is the 3rd edition Merriam Webster Geographical Dictionary. Covering only legitimate countries, it does not cover non-country ARRL entities.
More Information
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HAM RADIO EQUIPMENT REVIEWS
eHAM.net
More Information
Recent News
RTTY Contest Workshops
“Introduction to RTTY Contesting Workshop” Monday, September 21st at 7 PM on Zoom Presenter: Jay (WS7I) and Host Mel (N7GCO) The primary audience is those knew to RTTY and RTTY Contesting or new to N1MM+. Jay will focus on how to set up and use N1MM+ for RTTY Contests. He will also talk about connecting […]
CQ WW 160 Meter Contest
Bob Lee (N7AU) won the Zone 3 CQ WW 160 meter Contest Plaque with the top score in this zone. This is a wonderful accomplishment from the Pacific Northwest.
Year End Flounder Cup Competition Report
We have finished the 2019-2020 Flounders Cup Competition. Randy (K7TQ) has published the final report. Congratulations to both Randy (K7TQ) 1,210,083 points and Gary (K7GS) 1,033,821 points. Enjoy reading Randy’s excellent anaylsis. FlounderCupJulrA
N7AU Antenna Raising
Bob (N7AU) petting his rebuild 4 element SteppIR antenna back on one of his towers. Bob made a bracket, the piece on top of the boom that straps to the boom. The bar on the bracket on top is adjustable to find the center. Using the ATV to pull the […]
WA0WWW SteppIR Painting
Jay (WA0WWW) repainting his SteppIR antenna. Notice the nice raising fixture for his crankup tower.
