NEW
MEMBER INFORMATION
INTRODUCTION
The San Diego DX Club has been one of the world's
premier DX organizations since its inception in 1946.
We are glad to have you as a member of our esteemed group of the
most deserving subculture in ham radio, DX'ers. Besides
sharing an interest in DX'ing, you'll find that for the most part we are
just a fun-loving bunch of folks, just like you, who enjoy getting
together and swapping tall tales, comparing scores, pounding down a few,
and generally having a good time.
Our
membership consists of many of the very top DX'ers in the world
(although they seldom brag about it.)
Several have worked over 350 countries, and have been DX'ing over
a half a century. Others
have walls covered with first place awards in all the major DX contests.
Virtually every world class station owner in San Diego County is
a member of the SDDXC.
No
matter if you're on top of the Honor Roll, or just getting your first
100, The SDDXC has
something for you. This
booklet outlines the workings of the club, as well as our history and
traditions, and awards program. We
hope it will be helpful.
MEETINGS
We
meet on the 4th Wednesday of each month at the Sizzler Restaurant,
Murphy Canyon Rd., San Diego at 7pm. Dinner is usually around 6 pm.
We have set
aside an hour before dinner to socialize with a no-host bar.
Many members have stated that the camaraderie is the main reason
they attend the club. We
encourage new members to join into conversations with the old timers,
and the old timers to welcome the newer folks and try to get to know
them.
The
first order of business is usually the member's forum.
This is your chance to introduce yourself and address any
comments or news to the rest of us. Keep it fairly short, but don't be afraid to ask questions,
or give us the latest hot DX'ing tip.
After this, there is usually a short business meeting, where you
may air your views on the month's official club issues, followed by a
short break and the program.
Our
programs are arranged by the vice president, who tries to find an
interesting and informative topic on the subject of DX'ing. They range from slide shows on DX'peditions to seminars on
the latest technology or operating practice.
DX
Club BULLETIN
All
members automatically receive the club Bulletin.
The editor is an unpaid volunteer who gives many hours of free
time to get each issue to you. You
can make the editor's job easier by occasionally contributing articles
on any DX subject. Anything
would be appreciated, from humor, technical, operating, personal
stories, contest reports to something found in another publication as
long as proper credit is given. Feel free to send it to Tuck at
[email protected].
BADGES
Every member is entitled to wear the official club name badge at ham
radio functions. You should
place your order with the club treasurer as soon as your become a
member. Pick up your badge
at the next club meeting.
CONTESTS
We have been conducting a club contest during the first months of the
year. It has proven a great
way to provide a new challenge to those who have most of 'em worked, or
to get your totals up quickly. Awards
are given to the winners at the Christmas banquet.
The rules usually change every year, and are based on input from
active members.
CLUB LADDER
This
is a long-honored tradition with the club.
The ladder is the listing of the DXCC scores of all the members
who want to share them. Your
score is added to the list by writing it on the master as it gets passed
around at the meeting. You
may take a copy from the pile at the head table.
The column headings are "C-D," meaning "confirmed
minus deleted," "CFD" for "confirmed" including
deleted countries, and "WRK," for "worked" including
countries awaiting confirmations. The
ladder is important because it helps us determine award winners, and
keeps you abreast of your place among the competition.
CLUB ACTIVITIES
There
are several activities besides meetings that happen on a quasi-annual
basis. We have had a field
day team for several years, and in 1994, we came in first place in the
2A category. In the
summertime, there's the Summer Bash. It
has been held at W6YA's place for many years, but may also be hosted by
the SCDXC in LA. We have also held a Christmas banquet in place of the
November and December meetings. This
is where we give out our awards and invite spouses to participate in the
club.
PACKETCLUSTER
Most members use the 2 meter DX PacketCluster system. The actual frequencies change occasionally, and are published
periodically in the bulletin. You
may leave messages for other members and work the DX you see spotted or
spot some yourself. The
system is operated independently of the club by the individual SYSOP's. They decide how the system works and how it is funded with
input from their users.
CHAT FREQUENCY
Before packet became the primary method of announcing
DX spots, it was done locally on 144.415 MHz.
There is still considerable activity on that frequency as club
members use it as sort of a party line intercom to discuss projects,
coordinate pileup busting and generally chit chat.
CLUB LOGO - LETTERHEAD
Our
logo depicting the Coronado bridge was designed by WA6ZJC in 1994.
It was selected by the membership from entries in a design
contest. All members may
use the logo in any appropriate way to proclaim their membership in the
SDDXC. New members should
receive a master sheet of logos in several sizes, and more are available
from the club secretary. From
time to time we will provide members with blank club letterhead
featuring the logo and a listing of Hall of Fame members.
You may print your name and address at the top of the page to
customize it. For those
with word processors, the font used on the letterhead is called
"Paragon."
GETTING INVOLVED
The
club's success depends on the efforts of all the members, especially
those who take an active part. Start
by participating in club discussions and make constructive comments at
meetings. Help other
members with antenna raisings. Join
a contest group. Go on a
DX'pedition. Write an
article for the bulletin. Club
officers are nominated from those members who indicate a sincere desire
to help make this a great club by their gung-ho attitude and willingness
to participate. If you get nominated, do your best to carry on our fine
tradition.
UPDATES
This
booklet is loose-leaf to allow future club officers to update and expand
the information contained. The
master disk is on file to make that job easier.
John
Barcroft, K6AM
December,
1994
(edited by Tuck NZ6T on July 6, 2005)
Send
mail to [email protected] with questions
or comments about this web site.
Last modified: July 6, 2005
|