News

Fred Fish Memorial Award Winner

Wednesday, October 20th, 2021

Congratulations to Mark W7MEM

Mark is only the 17th person to receive the ARRL Fref Fish Memorial Award.

The Fred Fish Memorial Award was created in honor of Fred Fish W5FF (SK)m who was the first amateur to have worked and confirmed all 488 Maidenhead grid squares in the 48 contiguous United States on 6 meters. The award is given to any amateur who can duplicate W5FF’s accomplishments. Thinks about it – confirmed contacts on 6 meters with every grid square in the continental US.

Greyline Performance HOA Flagpole Antenna

Friday, September 17th, 2021

Here are some pictures of the flagpole antenna Jon Kimball KL2A gave the SDXA.

Jeff NZ2S has been doing some testing of the antenna and reported his findings on the SDXA user group.

This is Jeff NZ2S standing beside the antenna where he has been testing it.

Here is the link to the website describing this antenna.

https://greylineperformance.com/collections/frontpage/products/20-foot-flagpole-antenna

Jeff drove a pipe in the ground and mounted the antenna on it.

The is the external antenna tuner barrowed from Mike K7STO for testing.

If you are a SDXA members and live in a HOA area or a place with limited yard and want to try it, you can barrow it for a few months. You will want an external antenna tuner. This is the 20’ model flagpole which is permissible in just about all HOA developments.

Jon’s company also makes a 24’ and 28’ model if your HOA allows that size that your can talk to Jon about them. He is a regular contributor here on the user group if you have any questions ([email protected])

Is it a Yagi on a 60’ tower, no. But it will get you on the air in a location that will not allow towers. It looks nice and well made.

 

PNW Challenge Trophy and Flounders Cup Contests Report for 2020-2021

Friday, September 3rd, 2021

  • This year we had 21 members participate in at least one contest. That is wonderful! That is the most I remember participating since being part of the SDXA.
  • As a club, we almost doubled our total score from the previous year: 7,405,971 in 2020-2021 up from 4.003.973 in 2019-2020. Way to go everyone! This is the highest score we have had since I became a member.
  • We had four members participate in all ten contests (Gary AD7XG; Gary K7GS, Pat N7UVH, and Jay WA0WWW)
  • We had nine members participate in the CW only contests: Gary AD7XG, Gary K7GS, John K7KB, Bob K7TM, Jim N7ESU, Pat N7UVH, Bob W7GSV, Ron W7GTF, Jay WA0WWW.
  • We had two members score over a million points: Gary K7GS 1,944,570 and Par N7UVH 1,250,358. This is an awesome accomplishment Gary and Pat!!!

CONGRATULATIONS to every person who participated this year. You help make it a record and fun year! I especially want to congratulate those who participated in one or more contests for the first time.

Antenna Raising Party At Ted’s KG6MTC

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021

 

On July 15th a group worked at Ted Phelps KG6MTC to install his Hy-Gain AV-18 HT Hy-Tower. Work crew included: Jeff, Mike, Woody, Dale, Steve, and Pat and Del.

A great time was had by all. Here you can see a photo of the work crew with the new tower/antenna in the background.

The Hy-Gain AV-18 Hy-Tower is a popular antenna with the SDXA members.

Congratulations to Mark McMillan W7MEM

Friday, July 2nd, 2021

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Mark is only the 17th person to receive The ARRL Fred Fish Memorial Award.

The Fred Fish Memorial Award was created in honor of Fred Fish, W5FF (SK), who was the first amateur to have worked and confirmed all 488 Maidenhead grid squares in the 48 contiguous United States on 6 Meters. The award is given to any amateur who can duplicate W5FF’s accomplishment. Think about it — confirmed contacts on 6 meters with every grid square in the continental US.

7th Call Area QSO Party Awards

Sunday, June 13th, 2021

Congratulations to Jim Monroe N7ESU

Congratulations to Randy Foltz K7TQ and Jay Holcomb WA0WWW

Congratulations to Gary Swartout K7GS


Jim Barber N7CXI Is Testing A New Amp He Designed

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021

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

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021

Del’s (WA7AQH) Rotator and Antenna update

Monday, December 14th, 2020

 

 

Bob Zavrel’s book now in 2nd Edition

Friday, December 11th, 2020

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.

Congratulations to Bob Lee (N7AU) for winning the 2019 CQ WW DX 160 meter contest 2019 Plaque

Wednesday, November 25th, 2020

Congratulations to Dale Dean (AF7WH) on First DXCC

Wednesday, November 25th, 2020

RTTY Contest Workshops

Saturday, September 26th, 2020

“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 new 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 your radio, computer, and N1MM+
Plus give some RTTY contest tips.
Jay was the Co-Creator of two popular RTTY contests the RTTY Roundup and the WPX World-wide RTTY contest. He has also earned the RTTY DXCC Honor Roll.

 

“Using N1MM+ in RTTY Contesting Workshop”

Thursday, September 24st at 7 PM on Zoom

Presenter: Randy (K7TQ) and Host Mel (N7GCO)

 

Randy will demonstrate on his screen how he sets up and uses N1MM+ in RTTY Contests.

CQ WW 160 Meter Contest

Friday, September 4th, 2020

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

Monday, August 31st, 2020

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