MHDXA March 29^th Dinner Meeting Set! 

Our next MHDXA meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 29th,  at 6-9 p.m. at the Blue Bonnet.  457 S. Broadway, Denver, CO.,  80209.  303-778-0147. ARRL QSL Card checker Barry Mitchell, N0KV will be there (make sure to bring filled out ARRL forms if you plan to him review QSL cards), and Mike Higgins, K6AER, will give a presentation on today's world of HF amplifiers!  Club elections will follow these presentation and activities. You may only vote by attending the meeting, no e-votes this go-around.  Candidate nominations will be accepted at the time of the meeting. 

February 2012 MHDXA President Message

Years ago, I visited the shack of MHDXA member Barry Mitchell, N0BV, and was blown away by the computer networking he had established. It had the ability to let him know when a band spot showed up that he needed. As I recall, I believe the computer actually announced it but maybe it was a bell or something- it was really cool.

At the time, like many of you, I was using my ARRL DXCC band country book to check things off when I made the contact, to check things off when I got the QSL, and then use the book to look up what I still needed. Up until this month, I was still using that book, but finally decided to modernize the station for 2012. 

It started with updating the rig from an Icom Pro III to a Kenwood TS590S easing us in with Ham Radio Deluxe and CAT.  I even ordered a rotor control card.  The hardest part of the process, besides departing with our beloved Icom Pro III, was getting through the ARRL LoTW process.  

 Like many DX’ers, I had my share of bugs in getting onto LoTW. My initial log, made up of 295 QSL cards just sitting here for the last 3 years needed for new band countries, were typed by hand onto a N3FJP’s logbook software page, version 3.0.  It is really fb as it has a LoTW pull down menu which makes it easy to prepare the log for a submission. 

 Once I figured out how to create my LoTW station location, these Q’s were submitted yesterday and showed up on LoTW today.  Priceless moment as I was having a meltdown earlier-

I had a lot of help from MHDXA members troubleshooting my LoTW bugs.     K0CS, N7NG, KN0BOB, and W0RIC to name a few, all stepped up to help me, or find hams who could, troubleshoot the problem. It turned out to be a NASA moment.  (Like the time I could not get the TS590S to transmit my PSK31 signal as I had my computer speakers muted) I simply had not downloaded the LoTW certificates from the on-line LoTW certificate pull down window…whoops-

Hours were spent on both of these bugs, whereas experience could have fixed them in minutes.  This points out the appreciation and need for continuing education in our hobby, and the need of elmering others no matter how much experience we may have with traditional equipment.

These days, if your shack is not equipped with 21^st century technology, you may pay for it in pile ups and contests.  I’ll admit it is a learning curve, and I might be one of the last holdouts to make this move, but I’m glad to have done it. I look forward to seeing my LoTW standings once the initial log gets processed and then load up these somewhat complete records to Club Log…

Phew!!!  It has been a fast 2 years as MHDXA President.  Thanks to all of the club members who have made for some great changes to the club!! And to our contributing members who have helped us fund a number of DX'peditions around the world.  73 es see you the pile ups! 

MHDXA member Bob Sterner, KN0BOB, Offers Free FCC US Amateur Radio Technician Exam Course-

Are you wanting to help a family member or friend to get their initial US amateur radio license?

We have a great opportunity for individuals or groups to get ready for their exam by taking an informative and fun crash course to prepare for exam questions. This is sponsored by the Cherry Creek Youth Amateur Radio Club (W0CCY).  

 Anyone can take this free US amateur Technician Exam study course offered on March 31st and April 7th, from 8 am-Noon. The location is 5416 S. Riviera Way, Centennial, CO., 80015.  Call MHDXA member Bob Sterner (KN0BOB) 720-635-7930 or RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

He will create an account just for them to study on-line learning materials so they’ll be prepared for the class when they start.  It is a great system!  He has a very high pass rate with students and adults who take these classes.  We even offer the VE exam to take your test in a timely manner.  Talk about the 21st century, exams are given online!  Parents, family, and friends are welcomed!!!  

MHDXA Dinner Highlighted by K0YY and KB0LJW African Adventures!

Roger, K0YY, and his XYL, Marilyn, KB0LJW, gave a wonderful hour long presentation on their African DX’Adventures to Z2 last winter while visiting family.  It was great to hear such detailed information about travelling to this part of the world, the abundance of wildlife in a number of parks, the safe way to travel, and the issues anyone going to this part of the world needs to be on the alert over. 

I personally took away away Roger’s comments about 30 meters.  He described it as being such a dependable band and it reminded me of the experiences I’ve had with it in awful conditions (K=7, A=25+, SF=70+-) while on VK9L in 1998.  It saved my DX’pedition.  Roger had worked many DXCC’s around the globe with his artistry in managing huge pile ups with an Icom 706 Mark II. 80% of his QSO’s were on CW.  

In Roger’s concluding remarks, he reminded us old and new to the hobby of the importance of good operating practices.  It was a nice touch as we have many new DX’ers to our MHDXA ranks.

A Who’s Who of Local DX’ers at January 2012’s MHDXA Dinner

As I looked around the room this evening, I could not help but be touched by the wealth of experience in the room ranging from Hank, W0ZU, with at least 342+- DXCC’s confirmed, to Ken, W0ETT, past President of the Grand Mesa Contesters of Colorado (GMCC), to Dan, N0HF, the new President of GMCC, to Jack, WM0G, our new ARRL Colorado Section manager, to Bob, KN0BOB, founder of the Cherry Creek Young Amatuer’s Club (W0CCY).

Tim, N0ZM, Greg, W0ZA, and Don, W0DM, all past MHDXA Presidents and travelled DX’pedition team members, to Scott, W0KU, who has such a major role in amateur radio repeaters across Colorado, to Richard, K8ZTT, our V.P., and one of the most diversified operators in CW, SSB, and RTTY you might ever meet and has been a great host of many MHDXA parties,  to Tommy, K6YE, who has been so active with amateur radio youth for years.

Kieth, K0KE, who defines old school when it comes to his knowledge of amateur radio propagation, gear and operating skills, to Rick, W0RIC, who has done a lot for many of us with his great sense of humor and quick rise in the DX’ing ranks with an A+ station set up at home and in the mobile.

Stan, K0SDW, with his XYL K0MMW, Margaret, who has helped so many of us at HRO and is also an accomplished DX’er,  to Mike, K0MF, a very hard working DX’er and officer of the MHDXA for years insuring DX’peditions are funded on time and in good order.

Leonard, KQ0L, with 30 years plus of hamming and one of the most amazing DX shacks you’ll ever see at qrz.com,  to Al, KI0J, who has his logs from 1981 to the present, on LOTW, an amazing accomplishment of time invested into the hobby.

To husband and wife team Dan, W0RO, and Pam, W0PRS, who have done so much for the Pikes Peak Radio Amateur Association, the Rabbit Ears Radio Club, DX Youth Adventures, the annual PPRAA Hamfest in Monument, and geocache with the Colorado State Parks.

Anna, W0ANT, the 2010 ARRL Rocky Mountain Youth Amateur of the Year, and to new hams Danny, KD0NVH, just  licensed in 2011 and already active in community ham radio, to the newest and youngest DX’er and YL to join the club, Cheyenne, who at just age 9, recently joined our ranks as KD0QJG, recognized tonight with resounding applause! Of course, several family members who attended in support of their family in a great hobby!! (If I missed anyone at the dinner, I will edit this article soon!.....also, Don, N6DT, had planned to be at the dinner but was unable to make it.  He has been a great supporter of the MHDXA and Rabbit Ears Club)

This was an amazing night…………..while the faces may have been different from my first club meeting at the Blue Bonnet in 1995, the spirit of sharing experience between members, from our newest hams to the most experienced, has not changed-   

The MHDXA is an on-going organization of DX’ing wealth in knowledge and generosity.  It has been a great time to serve the club as President for these past two years.  It has gone by very fast.  At our March 2012 meeting, we will be having new elections for the next two years.  I will be moving on and would encourage you to please consider volunteering your time to helping the club for the next term. 

Ryan, N0OJ, has done a great job with the club’s website and reflector at www.mhdxa.com. And to all the volunteers, club officers, and those who have helped with my special cause in reaching out to area schools through the ARRL Wireless Technology Teacher’s Training program, I look forward to our continued presence.

May The Flux Be With You!!

73  Paul  N0AH  

de Paul, N0AH

Greetings MHDXA Members!  After a great start to the DX fall season, things kept up going into winter.  Conditions on 15 meters have been steady while 10 meters is fizzing out for now-  But what a season of surprises on topband! Plenty of Ham activity planned in January between contests, hamfests, and of course, the MHDXA Dinner on Sunday, January 22nd, at 6 p.m. at the Blue Bonnet- Also, plan now for MHDXA elections in March, 2012. Please consider nominations- Terms are 24 months-

UPDATE ON MHDXA SUNDAY DINNER.....WE NOW HAVE 31 CONFIRMED RSVP'S!!! BEST ESTIMATE ON TOTAL ATTENDANCE NOW AT 35+-..........CHECKS WILL BE BY TABLE TO MAKE IT EASIER ON SERVICE BUT THEY WILL ACCEPT SEPARATE PAYMENTS USING CREDIT CARDS OR CASH TOWARDS YOUR PORTION OF THE CHECK-THIS PROCESS MAKES IT EASIER ON THE KITCHEN AND SERVING STAFF TO PROVIDE GREAT SERVICE.  PLEASE CONSIDER BRINGING CASH FOR YOUR DINNER, DRINKS, AND A FEW LOOSE BILLS FOR TICKET RAFFLE- DINNER RANGES FROM $8-12 DOLLARS THEN ADD DRINKS AND TIP.....$20 PER PERSON SHOULD BALANCE OUT FOR AN AVERAGE AFTER DISCUSSING THIS WITH THE BLUE BONNET-

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Next MHDXA Dinner Meeting Set For Sunday, January 22nd, 2012-6:00 p.m.

presented by Roger, K0YY.  RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Roger will be speaking of his, and YL Marilyn's, KB0LJW, amazing southern Africa DX’pedition,  including his great adventures in Zimbabwe- His presentation will be full of  DX’pedition facts and pictures!  The Blue Bonnet is located at 457 S. Broadway, Denver, CO., 80209,  303-778-0147. http://www.bluebonnetrestaurant.com 

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FROM THE DX Amateur Radio Club of Columbia....Thanks Mike, K0MF, for helping to get this club donation in!!

Mile High DX

Assn.

On behalf of the DX Amateur Radio Club of Colombia (DXARC), thanks for your contribution of $200.00 to the Malpelo 2012 DXpedition

It is dedicated and generous DX Clubs like yours that make

DXpeditions such HK0NA possible.

 One of the goals of the Malpelo DXpedition is to provide at least one QSO

to every DXer who needs this #11 ranked DXCC entity for a new one.  

Your contribution will help make this happen.

DXers world-wide...thank you!

We look forward to contacting you on the air!

See you in the pile-ups!

                                                              Again thanks,

DXARC

DX Amateur Radio Club (Colombia)

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NEXT HAMFESTCOMING UP SATURDAY, JANUARY 21ST!  Check it out at-http://ncarc.net/sites/default/files/NCARCFlyer_V2.pdf

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