Welcome to the Spokane DX Association Serving Eastern Washington and North Idaho
UPCOMING WORKSHOP
Advanced N1MM+ for CW by Randy Foltz K7TQ
May 17, 2021
TIME: 7 PM on Zoom (Session opens at 6:45 PM)
Randy will be sharing:
- How to setup N1MM+ for CW contests
- How to have multiple Configurations (CQ & RTTY) in N1MM+
- Exploring some essential macros and shortcuts
- Hints for competing in CW Contests
- Sending leading zeros – to do or not to do and where to set them
- Sending cut numbers – to do or not to do and where to set them
Zoom login information on SDXA User group or email teammel at gmail.com
Next SDXA Meeting
June 3, 2021
CW and RTTY Skimmer and the Reverse Beacon Network with Bob Wilson N6TV
I great way to find where propagation is open is to use the Reverse Beacon Network. It is also a great way to test your antennas.
JUNE WORKSHOP
New to HF June 12th
This workshop is designed for Amateur radio operators who would like to get into HF, especially designed for new General License hams. We usually offer it two or three weeks after Jack Tiley’s General Licensing Ham Classes.
The Workshop will cover:
- Why Get into HF, at all?
- How does HF differ from VHF/UHF?
- Equipment needed for Getting into HF?
- Antenna options and recommendations
- Radios options and recommendations
- Power Supplies guidelines
- Computer Logging software options
- Computer Spotting software options
- Sample Getting Started equipment
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.
An extensive handout will be made available to all participants.
Seminar Leaders: Mel Ming (N7GCO) and Del Morissette (WA7AQH)
Date: June 12, 2021
Time: 1:00 to 4:00 PM
On Zoom. Login information on SDXA User group or email teammel at gmail.com
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
July 1, 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.
August 14, 2021
SDXA Annual Club Picnic (Tentatively)
Coming this Fall
Rob Fanfant (N7TQ) “Advanced FT8 Techniques”
Rob introduced the club to FT8/FT4. Now Rob returns to focus on Advanced FT8 Techniques, especially in working DXpeditions in the Fox/Hound mode.
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.
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.
Membership Renewal Time
I would like to remind everyone that it’s time to send in your membership renewals for next year. You can either click on the “Membership” link above to pay via Paypal, or send in a check to the address listed on our SDXA banner. We have a great year of new speakers and we will be looking forward to meeting in person again at some point. Please join us again for the next year!
For those who have paid their dues for next year, be sure to check the List Of Members page to make sure I have you recorded.
John K7KB
PNW Challenge Trophy and Flounders Cup Contests for 2020-2021
1. CQWWDX RTTY September 26-27, 2020
2. CQWWDX SSB October 24-25, 2020
3. CQWWDX CW November 7-8, 2020
4. ARRL RTTY ROUNDUP January 2-3, 2021
5. CQWPX RTTY February 13-14, 2021
6. ARRL DX CW February 20-21, 2021
7. ARRL DX SSB March 6-7, 2021
8. CQ WPX SSB March 27-28, 2021
9. CQ WPX CW May 29-30, 2021
10. IARU July 10-11, 2021
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)
RECENT WORKSHOPS
- Introduction to Contesting – Mel (N7GCO)
- Introduction to QSLing – Mel (N7GCO)
- RTTY Contesting with N1MM+ (Jay KS7I)
- Using N1MM+ for CQ WW DX RTTY Contest (Randy K7TQ)
- Using N1MM+ for CQ WW CW and ARRL Sweepstakes CW (Randy K7TQ)
- Using N3FJP Contest Software (Mike K7STO)
- New to HF (Del WA7AQH & Mel N7GCO)
- ARRL RTTY Roundup Contest Workshop (Jay WS7I)
- CQ WW WPX RTTY Contest Workshop (Randy K7TQ)
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.
SOLAR ACTIVITY AND PROPAGATION SECTION
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
- April 7, 2021 SDXA 80 meter Net
- April 14, 2021 SDXA 80 meter Net
- April 21. 2021 SDXA 80 meter Net
- April 28, 2021 SDXA 80 meter Net
- May 1-2, 2021 7 Area QSO Party
- May 5, 2021 SDXA 80 meter Net
- May 6, 2021, SDXA Program and Business Meeting (Zoom)
- May 28-30, 2021 CQ WPX 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
Jim Barber N7CXI Is Testing A New Amp He Designed
This amp is an engineering prototype for a 1KW, air-cooled, 1.5-54 mHz SS amplifier using the MRFX1K80H LDMOS device. Over the next few months, the amp and controller will be tested for performance and durability as compared to equivalent liquid-cooled designs.
New Mobile Setup by Dale WU7X
Dale just finished installing an IC7100 in his 4Runner. He mounted a TurboTuner II and a Little Tarheel II antenna and used a Breedlove ballmount on the left rear panel, near the fuel filler cover. The head unit is installed via a RAM mount on a stalk along the tunnel next to the passenger seat […]
2020 SDXA Awards
2020 DX Achievement Award Congratulations to John Gager K7KB for winning the Spokane DX Association “DX Achievement Award” for 2020. The “DX Achievement Award” is presented Annually at the SDXA December Award Program to a member who has demonstrated effectiveness in working DX. Major consideration will focus on new entities worked and progress in the […]
Del’s (WA7AQH) Rotator and Antenna update
One of the great things about the SDXA is that there are always other members willing to help on antenna/tower parties and answer hardware/software questions. Even on a cold December morning. Jeff (NZ2S) and Gary (AD7XG) on the tower. David (WA7F) and Peter (K0NG) for ground crew. New Yaesu 2800 rotator installed and upgraded 80-10 […]
Bob Zavrel’s book now in 2nd Edition
Congratulations to Bob Zavrel (W7SX)on the release of his Antenna Theory book 2nd edition which was released two days ago. The first edition went through 4 printings. It is being used as a reference by EE students in advanced Antenna theory courses, practicing radio engineers, and of course radio amateurs.
