Spokane DX Association

Steve W7VI

Lamar WA7LT

Mary Beth AE7GT and friend

Jim KE7HTU and Gimmie AL7LB

Gary AD7XG, the host

SDXA BEGINNINGS
SPOKANE DX ASSOCIATION
(first published in December, 2005)

Following is a very brief summary of the formation of the Spokane DX Association in 2001 and 2002:

In June 2001, a random group of 20 or so retired local hams met for breakfast at Rosauers Restaurant at the Y (near North Division and Holland) in Spokane on Monday mornings. The group included the ARRL Eastern Washington Section Manager, Kyle Pugh (KA7CSP), who provided an excellent sounding board for local information. There were also three new DXers and contesters to the Spokane area: Dan Hearn (N5AR), Gary Elliott (K7OX), and LaMar Ray (W9LT / WA7LT). Each had moved to the area to be with children in the 1999 / 2000 time frame, and each reminisced about the old serious clubs left behind (Lone Star DX Association, North Texas Contest Club, Central Arizona DX Association, and Potomac Valley Radio Club).

In the opinion of these three, the previous attempts at a DX club had failed, become inactive, or did not satisfy their personal needs. These included the Eastern Washington Amateur Radio Group, Eastern Washington DX Club, Spokane DX Association, and Inland Empire DX Association. Further, it seemed there were a few more local individuals who wanted a more serious DX club. At the urging of K7OX and N5AR, WA7LT took a very early stab at writing a solicitation for others with a serious interest. This first written material dates to November 7, 2001. Discussions of the club purpose included contesting versus DXing; it was decided contesting was too limited, and that almost all contesters were also DXers, so it was decided we should promote a DX club. After much discussion and procrastination, and a little discussion with other local DXers, the original three decided to proceed. A second draft document for possible circulation was drawn up on February 20, 2002. Finally, after much editing, a final informational document was produced which included the announcement that a suitable organizational meeting was to take place at noon on Saturday, March 16, 2002. It was circulated by any and all means available, including an abbreviated version circulated via the Eastern Washington ARRL Members Only Web Site.

At the organizational meeting with 29 in attendance, it was announced this was to be called the Spokane DX Association and would be targeted at serious DXers. All present were asked to state their interest(s) and a completed questionnaire was requested from each for follow up. The meeting was moderated by K7OX, and notes were recorded by WA7LT. At the conclusion, six volunteers (AA7RT, K7OX, K7TQ, N5AR, W6AEA, and WA7LT) were appointed to get the club in motion: prepare a constitution, investigate ARRL affiliation, establish the next meeting, etc.

The rest is history, and the first meeting of the Spokane DX Association took place April 11, 2002 at 7:00 PM.

C. LaMar Ray, WA7LT
April 11, 2002

QSOs on the porch

Maybe President Chris WX7B listening to a potential voter in the November election?

Randy K7TQ AND Jay WA0WWW sizing up Al’s new antenna

Here is the antenna they are sizing up!

The picnic was again held at the QTH of Al W7AL and Cheri in Snug Harbor of Sandpoint, ID. Thanks to the family for the hospitality and the tour of the grounds. Its a boat anchor heaven and a DXer’s modern high power station too. Here are some pictures of the event. The next big event will be our annual Awards Banquet in December; particulars to be announced when they arrive.

What Logging Program to Use

card checker Bruce N7ZA at 2015 SDXA Summer Picnic

Bruce Wade, N7ZA
12467 E. Olive Ave.
Spokane Valley WA 99216
Day Phone: (509) 396-3082
[email protected]

Bruce is a recent member of the SDXA and is a former card checker for the Tri-Cities. Bruce is replacing our former SDXA President and card checker Wayne WA1PMA who is riding his white stallion off into the sunset of Florida and beyond. Wayne could check 160 meter cards because of his personal 160 meter DXCC. The other longtime local card checker is Jay WS7I. The ARRL offers a search feature to find local card checkers at this CARD CHECKER LINK.

2015 september Minutes

1. George W6AEA had 133,245 points and took 3rd in the Single Operator High Power CW category.
2. Gary K7GS had 18,981 points in the Single Operator Low Power CW category.
3. Randy K7TQ (and Jay WA0WWW) had 74, 424 points in the Mobile Multi-Single Low Power CW category. They activated 18 counties in ID/OR/WA. Randy says their certificate says:

Second Place, 7th-Area Mobile Multi-single Low-Power CW
First Place, Adams County, Idaho
First Place, Gem County, Idaho
First Place, Idaho County, Idaho
First Place, Nez Perce County, Idaho

There was a 25-QSO minimum per county to receive a certificate. We
qualified in 9 counties and won in 4 of them.

Here is a LINK to the 2015 Writeup.

Here is a LINK to the individual scores.

The plaque sponsored by SDXA for the Single-Operator Digital category High score went to N7AM of Pima, AZ.