MINUTES OF LIDXA INC. MEETING—June 15, 2007

Location: Briarcliffe College, Bethpage, N.Y.

John, W2GW, the LIDXA President, called to order the meeting of June 15th at 8:10 PM. Members present (per sign-in on the blackboard) included W2GW, K2MFY, KC2OPX, W2VZQ, AB2NT, W2FGD, K2MAU, N2FF, N2DXJ and XYL.

OLD BUSINESS

In terms of DX, specific activities were highlighted:

• A DXpedition to St. Brandon Island as 3B7SP is currently very active. They have a good signal and are active on many bands where we have propagation. Much of their activity has been on CW.
• World traveler, UA4WHX, is now operating from Rwanda as 9XØVB. It is not known how long Vlad will be in this country nor where he is going to next. Reports have said to hold on to your QSL cards to him until he returns to Russia.
• The QSL cards for the January VU7/L DXpedition are being mailed out by the manager.

• Several members reported that conditions have taken a downturn with limited DX openings above 20 meters. We are presently approaching the minimum point in the present sunspot cycle.

Starting the business portion of tonight’s meeting was the approval of the May 18th meeting minutes. These minutes were accepted as presented. In addition, the minutes were prepared in advance by the club’s secretary, Ed, K2MFY, and sent out to the membership with the June meeting notice. Thanks to the efforts of KE2LJ, Pat, the minutes appear in the LIDXA web site at: http://www.qsl.net/lidxa.

Club Treasurer, John, W2GW gave the monthly Treasurer’s report. Annual dues for the 2007 calendar year are now overdue. John indicated that about 17 members had already paid their dues. Currently we still list 22 members on the roster. In order to stay an ARRL-affiliated club, at least 25 members must be part of the club. The next LIDXA update to the ARRL for club status is required in early 2008.

NEW BUSINESS

With Pat, KE2LJ, the LIDXA Vice President, leaving the NYC area for a Florida retirement in early Summer, John mentioned that we must elect a new club Vice President. It is expected that Pat will still maintain the LIDXA web site.

Frank, N2FF, our Hudson Division Director, spoke briefly about a number of issues of interest to the membership; namely, the recent DXpedition to Scarborough Reef as BS7H, a surprise award/dinner given to member Lew, W2BIE on getting to the Top of the Honor Roll (again), and his many years DXing; LOTW status; and League highlights reported at the recent Dayton HamVention.

John then gave a short lecture on his experiences with a portable satellite antenna and making QSOs through the AO51 satellite at VHF frequencies.

Ed mentioned that he had recently purchased a number of the new IRCs from K3PD for $1.30. Ed also spoke on the good turn around with DX QSLs he has obtained using DX foreign stamp postage supplied by William Plum. Besides mint foreign stamps (to use on s.a.s.e Air-Mail envelopes back to the US), Bill also sells European airmail envelopes (with return envelopes that fit inside the outgoing mail). He also sells domestic envelopes and returns. Although Bill does not yet have a web site he can be reached directly at his home in NJ (908-788-1020), or via e-mail [email protected] for the latest prices and information. Ed said he would bring in some of Bill’s supplies for the September meeting.

It was brought up that the LIDXA should consider combing member’s outgoing QSL cards and send them up to the ARRL in a lot. This proposal did not get much interest.

The meeting concluded early at around 9:45 PM after all the scheduled business and entertainment had finished. Since tonight’s meeting was the last one before our summer hiatus, John wished the membership a good summer, and indicated that the next meeting would be held on Friday September 14, 2007–which is the second Friday in the month due to the Jewish holiday that occurs the following week.

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Ed Whitman, K2MFY

LIDXA Secretary