The Official Publication Of The Northern California DX Club

The DXer
June 2014
The Official Publication Of The Northern California DX Club
June Meeting
Thursday June 19
Holder’s Country Inn
998 S. De Anza Blvd
San Jose 95129
www.holderscountryinn.com
5:00pm Socialize
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm Club Meeting
Annual Elections
“Personalized Propagation
Charts” by Stu Phillips, K6TU
President’s Letter
By Jim K8JRK
Dear Fellow Members,
I am optimistic. As I complete my term of
office I applaud your current Board for their
accomplishments, big and small. It was a
noticeable return to action — action on the
By Laws, action on the DXAC issues, action
on the repeater, action on the Procedures
manual --- a list that is still growing. In short,
a Board working well together.
Oh, they had their moments and some were
light and some were complicated but unlike
Congress they were never rancorous and
things always got done.
The Board continued to broaden your club
July Picnic & Raffle - see Page 3 profile in the global ham community. Vice
President John, K6MM had the insight
to put our logo on the DX World page by
underwriting their awards program — one of the best and largest in the world. The club,
through the Board screening process made significant cash donations to needed DXpeditions
many of which now use the propagation software of Stu, K6TU. The DXer continues to
expand coverage thanks to Editor and all around tech guru Phil, W6PK and his tireless effort.
Secretary Mike, K6MKF drove — and I mean drove — a Board and member effort to freshen
our By Laws. Bob, W6OPO has completed 5 years as Treasurer and leaves us with detailed and
accurate financial and tax records for his successor and that is a huge accomplishment. Of
course another tip of the hat to Mike and Carolyn, W6WZ and WB6ABC, for years of service
with the meeting drawings. Our Director Tony K6BV brought a ton of prior experience, Director
Andreas, N6NU tackled the repeater improvements (ongoing) and Director George,N6NKT
brought both fresh insight and new energy to the team at just the right moment. Past
President Russ, K6KLY provided steady input on how to find information, get things done or
determine what was feasible — he will be missed.
On a personal basis it’s been worth every minute. I made a large number of new friends,
(continues on page 3)
ANAHEIM, CA
(Near Disneyland)
933 N. Euclid St., 92801
(714) 533-7373
(800) 854-6046
Janet, KL7MF, Mgr.
12 STOR E BUYING POWE R
World’sHAM
ST
R
LA GE VENTORY
IN
IO
D
RA ck for quick
in sto elivery
d
anaheim@hamradio.com
BURBANK, CA
1525 W. Magnolia Bl., 91506
(818) 842-1786
(877) 892-1748
Eric, K6EJC, Mgr.
Magnolia between
S. Victory & Buena Vista
burbank@hamradio.com
®
OAKLAND, CA
WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION
2210 Livingston St., 94606
(510) 534-5757
(877) 892-1745
Nick, AK6DX, Mgr.
I-880 at 23rd Ave. ramp
oakland@hamradio.com
SAN DIEGO, CA
5375 Kearny Villa Rd., 92123
(858) 560-4900
(877) 520-9623
Jerry, N5MCJ, Mgr.
Hwy. 163 & Claremont Mesa
sandiego@hamradio.com
SUNNYVALE, CA
510 Lawrence Exp. #102
94085
(408) 736-9496
(877) 892-1749
TS-2000
sunnyvale@hamradio.com
• 100W HF, 6M, 2M • 50W 70CM • 10W 1.2GHz w/
opt UT-20 module • Built-in TNC, DX packet cluster
• IF Stage DSP • Backlit front key panel
Jon, K6WV, Mgr.
So. from Hwy. 101
NEW CASTLE, DE
HF/VHF/UHF TCVR
IC-7600 All Mode Transceiver
FTDX-3000 100W HF + 6M Transceiver
• 100W HF/6m Transceiver, gen cov. receiver • Dual
DSP 32 bit • Three roofing filters- 3, 6, 15khz • 5.8 in
WQVGA TFT display • Hi-res real time spectrum scope
• 100 Watt HF/6 Meters • Large and wide color LCD
display • High Speed Spectrum Scope built-in • 32 bit
high speed DSP /Down Conversion 1st IF
(Near Philadelphia)
1509 N. Dupont Hwy., 19720
(302) 322-7092
FREE
YSK-8900
(800) 644-4476
Ken, N2OHD, Mgr.
RT.13 1/4 mi., So. I-295
All Mode
IC-7100 Transceiver
delaware@hamradio.com
PORTLAND, OR
TS-590S
(800) 765-4267
• 100W HF + 6M • 500 Hz & 2.7 KHz roofing filter
• Built-in auto tuner • Best dynamic range in class
• 32 bit DSP
11705 S.W. Pacific Hwy.
97223
(503) 598-0555
Leon, W7AD, Mgr.
Tigard-99W exit
from Hwy. 5 & 217
HF + 6M Transceiver
• HF/50/144/430/440 MHz Multi-band, Multi-mode, IF
DSP • D-STAR DV Mode (Digital Voice + Data) • Intuitive Touch Screen Interface • Built-in RTTY Functions
FT-8800R
2M/440 Mobile
• V+U/V+V/U+U operation • V+U full duplex • Cross
Band repeater function • 50W 2M 35W UHF • 1000+
memory channels • WIRES ready
portland@hamradio.com
DENVER, CO
8400 E. Iliff Ave. #9, 80231
(303) 745-7373
(800) 444-9476
IC-V8000 2M Mobile Transceiver
John WØIG, Mgr.
TM-281A
PHOENIX, AZ
• 65 Watt • 200 Memories • CTCSS/DCS • Mil-Std
specs • Hi-quality audio
denver@hamradio.com
10613 N. 43rd Ave., 85029
(602) 242-3515
2 Mtr Mobile
• 75 watts • Dynamic Memory Scan (DMS)
• CTCSS/DCS encode/decode w/tone scan • Weather
alert • Weather channel scan • 200 alphanumeric
memories
FT-450D
(800) 559-7388
FREE
Gary, N7GJ, Mgr.
Corner of 43rd Ave. & Peoria
phoenix@hamradio.com
ATLANTA, GA
TM-V71A
Mark, KJ4VO, Mgr.
Doraville, 1 mi. no. of I-285
• High RF output (50W) • Multiple Scan • Dual receive
on same band (VxV, UxU) • Echolink® memory (auto
dialer) • Echolink® Sysop mode for node terminal ops
atlanta@hamradio.com
2M/440 Dual Band
(800) 444-4799
Steve, W4SHG, Mgr.
Exit 161, I-95, So. to US 1
virginia@hamradio.com
• Analog FM/D-Star DV Mode • SD Card Slot for Voice
& Data Storage • 50W Output on VHF/UHF Bands
• Integrated GPS Receiver • AM Airband Dualwatch
• FM Analog/DV Repeater List Function
ID-51A
WOODBRIDGE, VA
(Near Washington D.C.)
14803 Build America Dr.
22191
(703) 643-1063
YSK-857
ID-5100A VHF/UHF Dual BandDigital Txcvr
6071 Buford Hwy., 30340
(770) 263-0700
(800) 444-7927
100W HF + 6M Transceiver
• 100W HF/6M • Auto tuner built-in • DSP built-in
• 500 memories • DNR, IF Notch, IF Shift
TH-F6A
2M/220/440
• Dual channel receive • .1 - 1300 MHz
(cell blocked) RX • FM, AM, SSB • 5W
2M/220/440 TX, FM • 435 Memories
• Li-Ion Battery
VHF/UHF Dual Band
Transceiver
• 5/2.5/1.0/0.5/0.1W Output • RX: 0.52–
1.71, 88–174, 380-479 MHz** • AM/
FM/FM-N/WFM/DV • 1304 Alphanumeric
Memory Chls • Integrated GPS • D-STAR
Repeater Directory • IPX7 Submersible
FT-857D
Ultra Compact HF/VHF/UHF
• 100w HF/6M, 50W 2M, 20W UHF • DSP included
• 32 color display • 200 mems • Detachable front
panel (YSK-857 required)
FT-60R
2M/440 5W HT
• Wide receiver coverage • AM air band
receive • 1000 memory channels w/alpha labels • Huge LCD display • Rugged
die-cast, water resistant case • NOAA
severe weather alert with alert scan
SALEM, NH
(Near Boston)
224 N. Broadway, 03079
(603) 898-3750
(800) 444-0047
Steve, K1SMD, Mgr.
Exit 1, I-93;
28 mi. No. of Boston
salem@hamradio.com
0613_generic-ad_v1.indd 1
1omer
t
in Cus vice
Ser
#
5/10/14 10:39 AM
irritated the requisite percentage of folks jobs like this produce and leave feeling I was darn
lucky to have the Board I did.
I am optimistic about our future: planned steps towards more use of technology to expand
member participation and mentoring, a solid Treasury, new members joining regularly, and
best of all younger members stepping up to run for office — which you may do right up to the
moment ballots are handed out, in case you missed the emails of invitation.
Thank you for your support. JIM K8JRK.
NCDXC Summer Picnic & Raffle - SUNDAY July 20, 10am to 2pm
The annual NCDXC Summer Picnic will be at Patriot’s Corner in Shoup Park, 400 University Ave,
Los Altos (setup at 9am). Mark the day on your calendar and plan to join us!
Raffle
A single ticket raffle of prizes will be held at the picnic for NCDXC Club members only. One
ticket per member, free, must be present.
Prizes
Elecraft KX3
Alpha 4510 Wattmeter
DX Engineering UT-KIT2-D Complete Coax Cable Tool Kit
Donation to NCDXF
The Board has approved a $4000 donation to the NCDXF, to be presented at the picnic.
Treasury Report
The club’s fiscal year is drawing to an end. In July the complete profit and loss and balance
sheet reports will be available on the Member’s Only section of the website. The profit and
loss statement is usually one page long and provides insight where the club’s money comes
from and where it goes.
As of early June the club’s bank balances are:
PayPal $5,239.21
IDXC
3,500.00
Ck’g
7,992.95
CD#1
13,515.10
CD#2
11,663.43
Total $41,910.69
73,
Bob – W6OPO
NCDXC Treasurer
Page 3
Minutes, Bylaws and Procedures Manual Posted
The minutes from the June 8 Board of Directors Meeting and the May 8 Club Meeting are
posted on the Members Only page at www.ncdxc.org. Also posted are the updated NCDXC
Bylaws that were confirmed in the May Club Meeting and the updated Procedures Manual.
To enter the page, select the green “Members Only” tab on the left side of the home page.
Your password is needed. If you don’t have it, send an email to needpassword at ncdxc.org .
Please include your call sign.
IDXC 2015 Hotel Reservations Open
The Hotel Online Reservation system for IDXC 2015 has been activated:
http://dxconvention.com/index.html
Club Renewals Are Due!
Fellow DX’ers It is that time of year, time to renew your membership in the Northern California DX Club.
Each year memberships that are paid annually expire on June 30. There is a window from June
30 through October 31 for renewals so there is time but don’t put it off.
This year has many great programs lined up and of course it is the club’s turn to produce the
International DX Convention at the Visalia Convention Center. A big and beautiful place. See
http://www.dxconvention.com/.
Dues remain unchanged and vary depending upon your membership class. For Regular Members it is $24, for Absentee Members $16 and for a Family Member $15. Absentee class is for
those who live outside the club’s region. The region is defined as anywhere in California north
of the south side of Bakersfield (35 degrees North Latitude).
The fastest and easiest way to pay dues is to go to the club’s website and click on Pay Dues.
Scroll down to the PayPal and credit card logos. Click on the logo. Or go to:
http://www.ncdxc.org/pages/paydues.html directly.
Using PayPal is fast, convenient and limits my need to go to the bank. But if you prefer writing
a check, please do so making it payable to NCDXC and mail it to:
Northern California DX Club
P.O. Box 608
Menlo Park, CA 94026-0608
Best of 73,
Bob - W6OPO
NCDXC Treasurer
Page 4
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Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
DX Ladder Experiment
I’m trying out a change to the DX Ladder. I’ve split the Ladder into “NCDXC Honor Roll Ladder”
for those with 331 to 340 current entities, and “NCDXC DX Ladder” for those with 330 current
entities or less.
The difference between the two Ladders is the sorting between Current Entities, Current +
Deleted DXCC Entities, and Challenge. Both Ladders weigh Current Entities first. However, the
“Honor Roll” Ladder weighs Current + Deleted Entities higher than Challenge, while the “DX
Ladder” weighs Challenge higher.
This change encourages newer members to participate in the Challenge awards, while recognizing the achievements of those on Honor Roll who have worked entities that have been
deleted.
Your comments are welcome - send email to dxer at ncdxc.org and indicate “prefer old way”,
“prefer new way”, “prefer different way” or “either way” and your call sign. For “different way”
please state what it is. I will go by the wishes of the majority of the Ladder participants.
73,
Phil W6PK
dxer at ncdxc.org
Page 15
NCDXC Honor Roll Ladder - 331 to 340 Current Entities
All Entity Counts Must Already Be Confirmed With LOTW-QSLs or QSL Cards
Call Sign
K6TA
Curr
340
DXCC
377
Chal
2770
160m
213
80m
296
40m
332
30m
302
20m
339
17m
326
15m
333
12m
306
10m
320
6m
3
K5YY
W6OAT
N7NG
K6RIM
K5JB
K4UEE
N6JV
W6CUA
K6XN
AJ6V
K6SQL
W6DPD
NI6T
K6MD
W6KM
K6KLY
N6TV
KX6C
KC6AWX
W6EKR
K6ESL
K6ANP
K6GFJ
W6CYX
N7TW
W6OD
AC6HY
K6CTA
W6NWS
KI6CG
N6TA
340
340
340
340
340
340
340
340
340
340
340
340
340
340
340
340
340
340
340
340
340
339
339
339
339
339
339
338
337
337
336
375
373
372
367
367
365
360
357
355
354
354
353
352
351
351
349
349
349
348
348
346
364
357
353
348
343
342
345
347
343
354
2636
2670
1867
2336
196
146
170
45
289
284
206
173
240
328
262
301
297
291
148
289
340
339
321
339
314
323
162
311
278
336
269
327
294
296
130
267
287
320
199
275
101
7
2780
2823
1885
1799
939
249
189
18
13
16
281
263
166
140
118
330
318
244
218
153
286
321
180
147
2
339
338
340
332
282
310
329
188
219
6
324
334
322
292
201
276
313
132
177
1
307
325
294
258
160
78
93
1
3
21
286
57
65
186
149
42
176
123
1
168
16
174
4
101
253
30
330
89
100
288
213
42
287
152
11
223
72
227
72
151
233
9
321
9
200
328
11
278
1
23
271
145
14
40
137
181
43
255
156
206
311
142
100
317
167
91
299
237
214
187
188
242
62
293
198
51
4
1
308
3
19
308
221
27
84
148
161
74
283
215
264
329
166
100
256
204
48
322
311
37
238
215
248
69
310
269
154
302
5
12
324
339
256
100
335
272
63
337
338
132
319
225
278
184
321
315
200
153
130
289
193
161
103
328
321
190
199
305
285
152
157
285
268
1
69
155
236
336
336
336
335
334
333
332
331
331
349
345
339
340
336
342
337
338
335
290
243
288
249
100
308
286
277
196
AG6Q
K6UM
K6KO
W6QUV
K6YP
K8JRK
KY6R
K6BZS
N6ATD
295
100
328
318
316
252
226
257
212
100
282
264
228
60
293
305
284
251
43
252
152
60
242
232
245
166
26
176
141
40
199
183
183
138
3
1
1259
2779
737
465
2433
1058
354
2336
1527
436
1417
1028
1789
527
1726
1670
229
1
102
42
5
58
77
113
12
18
2055
1827
1684
144
79
2081
2252
2287
38
153
121
100
137
227
168
211
100
210
298
304
1123
1889
1481
853
1
56
41
1
145
169
122
84
174
265
205
113
258
5
21
261
77
23
164
19
176
237
270
248
107
9
105
2
17
4
4
1
1
58
Page 16
NCDXC DX Ladder - 330 Current Entities or Less
All Entity Counts Must Already Be Confirmed With LOTW-QSLs or QSL Cards
Call Sign
K6IPM
Curr
329
Chal
1529
DXCC
332
160m
80m
74
40m
158
30m
20m
318
17m
265
15m
293
12m
191
10m
229
K6SIK
N6TQ
N6NU
N3RC
K6MM
K2RD
W6YD
W6JJW
K6DY
K9YC
AA6VB
W6DR
W6OPO
KE1B
WX6W
W6RK
W6EKR/M
K6MKF
W6PK
WK6RF
N6BM
K6BV
W6GJB
EA2RY
NR6M
N6WM
NE5EE
AD6HF
N6MM
328
327
324
322
320
318
314
313
312
311
308
307
303
302
302
291
291
289
289
289
287
286
285
281
273
272
260
251
237
1871
2008
1511
1795
1511
1736
25
55
27
51
36
76
158
167
119
141
109
149
19
3
12
191
171
98
23
79
26
78
4
15
9
37
23
4
63
62
2
84
8
19
14
210
252
210
205
196
230
5
74
18
242
172
176
94
167
73
199
4
66
52
44
98
13
123
142
69
148
23
73
65
183
229
138
184
134
93
311
310
259
301
297
299
204
231
224
288
226
262
250
280
201
261
189
217
237
209
235
149
196
210
205
221
195
213
163
230
242
184
229
177
204
96
159
260
125
72
122
230
25
158
71
139
76
3
165
27
107
117
171
133
91
30
269
272
243
280
245
272
127
157
205
265
180
219
195
245
108
193
196
242
174
163
226
179
182
242
206
198
150
92
225
229
141
157
134
161
780
967
2015
1374
1233
952
1467
578
1263
574
1044
734
608
1072
478
879
1114
925
1174
602
525
747
334
335
327
333
328
321
319
315
312
313
311
311
305
306
309
293
299
293
291
296
288
289
287
283
273
274
262
254
239
260
252
188
244
177
246
114
123
187
221
146
190
166
185
102
150
97
188
118
150
147
88
131
139
142
162
70
62
AE6RR
N6DVR
K6ML
WD0FAA
N6NKT
AG6HE
W6NN
K6MMM
WB6VYH
K6TU
AI6RE
WT6X
KU6W
N6OI
AK6Y
237
233
230
225
221
217
199
159
158
156
146
143
141
130
116
716
393
392
531
631
658
473
489
255
426
318
384
388
265
215
239
238
231
226
223
217
200
159
158
158
146
144
141
130
116
74
8
19
83
47
88
53
84
29
1
9
26
16
6
3
188
116
79
106
174
133
149
134
154
128
92
142
114
151
167
124
131
115
44
18
44
23
55
70
20
119
118
124
45
113
104
111
44
107
6
2
8
1
4
4
5
41
3
2
33
10
12
26
25
110
88
31
49
23
69
67
48
1
21
20
1
2
25
29
1
7
82
13
71
56
10
29
1
4
16
120
74
109
117
63
81
9
49
56
105
60
43
120
82
38
3
36
19
62
81
43
64
81
46
3
1
1
7
132
111
75
1
18
19
3
1
1
1
5
37
10
1
4
1
25
1
190
140
86
28
98
23
119
25
4
69
51
77
1
67
14
6
1
(continues on next page)
12
7
70
146
213
102
51
72
161
20
84
13
146
64
108
17
21
75
123
121
65
10
9
3
6m
1
2
3
6
6
1
8
13
1
4
1
4
2
3
2
5
49
1
3
2
3
2
4
2
2
1
2
Page 17
W6MSB
K6MP
PJ2/W6DR
91
75
19
172
123
25
92
75
19
1
3
5
27
3
37
32
5
9
4
54
32
15
5
51
18
17
2
How To Update Your DX Ladder Numbers
• For all DXCC and band counts, only include QSOs for which you already have LOTW-QSLs
or QSL cards.
• Entries in the ClubLog NCDXC DXCC League are imported into DX Ladder if the member is
registered at http://www.clublog.org and member log is uploaded at least once per year.
• Members who prefer not to use ClubLog: please use the web form at:
www.ncdxc.org/pages/dxladder.html . Band information is helpful but not required.
• “DXCC” column includes current and deleted entities, the “Curr” column has current only.
• The Chal (Challenge) count is the sum of the current entity band counts (no deleted entities) and is automatically calculated in the DX Ladder spreadsheet.
Items For Sale By Paul, N6PSE:
Contact paul, N6PSE, paul at n6pse dot com
1) Alpha 9500 1.5KW Fully Automatic Amplifier, all bands, all modes. This amp was just
serviced by Alpha and has a new 8877. Price is $4,900. (This Amp currently sells new
for $8495.)
2) WB0W Deluxe Heavy Duty Gin Pole with Base Pulley. Paid $500, sell $375 (Unused)
3) Icom IC-7200 HF Radio (this radio was lightly used on ST0R DXpedition) $750
4) AMSAT LVB Tracker-LCD display-USB Rotor control, Unused. Retails for $200, sell $120
5) LDG DM-7800 external S meter for Icom IC-7800, sell $40
Items For Sale By Russ, K6KLY:
Contact Russ, K6KLY, k6kly at sbcglobal dot net, Tel: 510-852-0002, k6kly at sbcglobal dot net
Yaesu MD-200 Microphone, top Yaesu mic, Like New, Non-smoker, $229 + shipping as needed
Items Above Are From Estate of W6EIO
Drake MN-4 Antenna Tuner, $75
HyGain TH11DX, 20 to 10 meters, 5 band 11 element on 24 foot boom, $450.00,
you pick up in Belmont
Items For Sale By Rob, AG6RK:
Contact Rob LaNoce, AG6RK, robsendemail at yahoo dot com
M2 Antenna Systems Model 6M5, 6 meter 5 element yagi,
new in original box, predecessor to the 6M5HX $75
Mirage/KLM Model 1.2-44LBX 1.2GHz yagi, 18.2 dBd gain,
12’ boom, 7.5’ turning radius., new in original box. $50
Page 18
Items For Sale By Harry, KX6C:
Contact Harry, KX6C, hmakler at gmail dot com
See Harry’s Complete For-Sale List at www.verinsky.com/dxerlinks/for-sale-by-harry.pdf
Yaesu FT- 817D, Yaesu mic, HF Plus 50, 144 & 430 MHz like new $400
Heathkit SB-221, 2kw amplifier with 10m, in tip-top condition $800
Kenwood 830S and VFO 230, excellent condition $650
All items with manuals. Pickup from Harry’s QTH. Please keep tuned for more good stuff.
Items For Sale By Tony, K6BV:
Contact Tony Dowler, K6BV, (650) 359-8888
Kenwood R-2000 Receiver (no mods) $200
ICOM IC-706MkIIG (Clean) $600
Drake MN-2700 1Kw Tuner $ 200
2ea. Heil PR-781 Studio Microphone New-In-Box $100/ea
Items For Sale By Dick, W6KM:
Phone# 408/267-2624
Hy-Gain Rotator # HDR-300, works excellent ... $400
Items For Sale By George, N6NKT:
Contact George Williams, N6NKT, n6nkt at yahoo dot com
Hy-Gain TH-7DX, 7 Element, Tri-Band, 10/15/20M $300
Manual available at http://www.hy-gain.com/support.php?productid=TH-7DX
Down from Palo Alto ARC office, disassembled and located in Cupertino
KLM KT-34, 4 Element, Tri-Band, 10/15/20M $200
Booton 92EA RF Voltmeter $200
Send Your DX-Related Swap/Sale Listing to: dxer at ncdxc.org
To prevent outdated listings, ads will run for only one issue unless otherwise requested
Page 19


Bill, N6BM, reports from the wilds of Florida:
The repairs on my SteppIR are complete and Alice helped me lower the tower down this morning and I'll
be back on the air before you know it. BTW, my ARRL Challenge Award will be arriving soon via FedEx.
Bob, N6TV, reports:
Not really shack news, but my photos from the Dayton Hamvention have been posted to
http://bit.ly/Hamvention2014
Page 20
Steve, N6SJ, reports:
I recently cured an RF problem I had using info from K9YC’s Common-mode Choke Cookbook. My new
SteppIR DB42 has an 80M dipole option which wouldn’t work when I ran high power. RF on the outside
of the feedline got back into the amp and tripped the SWR detector, shutting down the amp. With a few
common mode chokes placed at strategic locations, the problem is now cured. Anyone with similar
problems should read Jim Brown/K9YC’s online tutorial.
Bob, W6OPO, reports:
Congratulations to Ed Muns, W0YK, for having been inducted to the CQ Contest Hall of Fame. From QRZ:
“DX and CQ Contest Halls of Fame honor those amateurs who not only excel in personal performance in
these major areas of amateur radio but who also ‘give back’ to the hobby in outstanding ways.” Ed
shared the event with Scott Redd, K0DQ, who we saw at IDXC a few years ago.
Jim, K8JRK, reports:
For the Sec. Corner---have added ACOM 2000A to the lineup - now automated radio , tuner, amp - next is
to tie in rotor controller, learn some "stuff" and dial up remote op ... Say in about 2 years given my
computer skill (singular, please note).
Dennis, AG6HE, reports:
Well I just pulled the trigger and requested all credits applied as I'm over the goal line for 20M as of
today without the need for any cards checked, with the help of some weekend QSO's during the WPX
CW contest! My CW count stands at 173 Worked, 151 Confirmed, but that includes QSL cards. I got a
QSL card in the mail today from Kenya for #217 Confirmed.
Jim, K9YC, reports:
Four QSLs from Myanmar made my Confirmed Challenge All Mode total (current entities, since moving to
Santa Cruz in 2006) to 2002 band countries. I have 2091 worked since moving here.
Chuck, NA6XX, reports:
Chuck, a friend of Russ, K6KLY, sends along this information about reporting power line noise:
Regarding the PUC, advise the guys to use the on-line web complaint form for utilities. The link is as follows:
www.cpuc.ca.gov/puc/cec/e_complaint/
Mike, K6MKF, reports:
I was surprised to see that there was a time when radio schematics were published as news items in the
newspapers, and RX DX, at least, was a hot topic.
Page 21
Also, I am pleased to report that the ARRL has cashed my check for the DXCC Challenge Award Plaque,
and the Happy Asterisk has appeared, so I will be reorganizing my shack walls again!
My new-to-me 3L SteppIR Yagi with the 40/30 driven element option was put up on my tower my June
14th antenna party! I had such a great volunteer crew helping me get this beast in the air!
Dennis, AG6HE – Climber and high wire artiste extraordinaire
Dick, W6KM – Roof crew
Rob, AG6RK – Roof crew
James, Grandson – Roof crew
John, K6MM – ground crew
Bob, W6OPO – ground crew
Phil, W6PK – ground crew
Ross, K6GFJ – ground crew
Paul, N6PSE – ground crew
Page 22
Final Assembly on the Roof
Hoisting into position
Page 23
Dennis, AG6HE, doing the high ladder work
The SteppIR is operational
Page 24
“It’s up!” L-R: Phil, W6PK; John, K6MM; Dick, W6KM; Rob, AG6RK; Mike, K6MKF; Dennis, AG6HE and
Bob, W6OPO
Remember to send your latest shack bulletins for the Secretary’s Corner to the NCDXC Secretary at
k6mkf@arrl.net.
Page 25
Russ, K6KLY, reports:
Russ, K6KLY is the winner of the Alpha watt meter at the Dayton DX dinner:


New life for Kenwood HS-5 Headphones
Do you now have a new rig that has a second receiver? If you already have a set of Stereo
phones this may not be of interest to you. Over the years the HS-5 headphones have been
the cans of my choice. They are very comfortable even with hearing aids. So when I upgraded
to the Kenwood TS-990S I found that I could not take advantage of the Stereo output for each
receiver. So I just retired them to a drawer.
A short time ago a friend loaned me a copy of his ARRL 18th edition of “HINTS & KINKS” to
read. In this book I found the article CONVERTING KENWOOD HS-5 HEADPHONES FOR STEREO.
The article also appeared in the January 2005 QST, pages 67 - 68, available at arrl.org. After
reading it I thought I would give it a try because all needed was to replace the mono plug with
a new stereo plug and the need to make a few simple solder connections.
It only took a few minutes and works super, it was really easy to do and I am really pleased
with the results.
If you can’t obtain the QST it was published in, I would be happy to make a copy and send it to
you if you like. Just contact me.
73 ...................... Dick, W6KM
Page 26
Chat Subscription Problems
Due to new “anti-phishing” policies used by Yahoo and AOL, there were problems a few
months ago with some Chat subscriptions. For example, posts from Yahoo were not received
by many subscribers. The email list software has been updated to solve this problem.
There were a few cases of subscriptions being disabled by the software. If your subscription
became disabled, please send an email to Rob, AG6RK, robsendemail at yahoo dot com .
Upcoming Meetings
SUNDAY July 20: NCDXC Summer Picnic & Raffle, 10am-2pm, Patriot’s Corner in Shoup Park,
400 University Ave, Los Altos. Setup at 9am.
How to Subscribe to Chat
If you would like to subscribe to NCDXC’s Chat
Email List, go to www.ncdxc.org and select
the green “Mailing List” tab on the left side of
the club’s home webpage.
About the DXer
The DXer is published monthly by the Northern California DX Club and sent to all club
members via the web. Please obtain permission from the author to re-publish any article
in this publication.
Club URL
http://www.ncdxc.org
Club Address
NCDXC
Box 608, Menlo Park, CA 94026-0608
2013-2014 Northern California
DX Club Officers:
President: Jim Sansoterra, K8JRK
Vice President: John Miller, K6MM
Secretary: Mike Flowers, K6MKF
Treasurer: Bob Lanning, W6OPO
Directors:
Russ Bentson, K6KLY (Past President)
Tony Dowler, K6BV
George Williams, N6NKT
Andreas Junge, N6NU
Phil Verinsky, W6PK
Appointments:
Club Historian: Ross Forbes, K6GFJ
Database Co-Managers: Bob Lanning, W6OPO
and Phil Verinsky, W6PK
DX Convention Chairperson for 2015:
John Miller, K6MM
DXer Editor: Phil Verinsky, W6PK
(dxer at ncdxc.org)
Chat List Postmaster: Rob LaNoce, AG6RK
(listadmin at ncdxc.org)
Web Hosting & Webmaster:
John Miller, K6MM (k6mm at arrl.net)
Club Repeater W6TI/R:
Frequency/offset: 147.360 Mhz +, pl 110.9
Control Operator: Richard Crouch, N6RC
Maintenance: Peter Grabosky, W6OOL
Trustee: Peter Grabosky, W6OOL
Net Manager: Open
Club simplex: 147.54 MHz (suggested)
Hope to see you at the June 19 Meeting
Page 27
Annual Elections At June 19 Meeting
Club Members Who Have Agreed To Be Candidates
Officers
President: Mike Flowers, K6MKF
Vice President: Rob LaNoce, AG6RK
Secretary: Sheryl Harkleroad, WW6G
Treasurer: Don Ferguson, AI6RE
Directors
Tony Dowler, K6BV
Rich Seifert, KE1B
George Williams, N6NKT
Jim Colletto, N6TQ
John Miller, K6MM
Bob Lanning, W6OPO
Page 28