MINUTES OF LIDXA INC. MEETING—June 16, 2006

Location: Briarcliffe College, Bethpage, N.Y.

The LIDXA President, Marty, NN2C, called the meeting of June 16 to order at 8:10 PM. Members present (per sign-in on the blackboard) included K2MFY, NN2C, KE2LJ, W2VZQ, KC2KY, NA2P, N2DXJ and XYL.

OLD BUSINESS

In terms of DX, specific activities were highlighted:

• As of June 15, the ARRL DXCC Committee has changed the definition of an “entity” separation from its parent country. The new rule will cause a change to Point 1 status for certain entities by reducing the mileage for a first separation for these entities, from 800 km to 350 km. It is expected that this change will introduce a number of new “countries” to the DXCC list in the future. Further details can be found at http://www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc/news/060614.html.
• Most members mentioned that DX conditions had been quite poor in the last few weeks. The 20 meter bands seems to be the best, followed by the lower bands. Seventeen meters is very sporadic and there are very limited DX openings on 15 meters. Ten and 12 meters are just about dead for DX now. We should be going through the sunspot minimum this Fall.
• The new DXpedition to Rockhall Island, off the Scottish coast has been cancelled. Last year was the first time this island was activated. Only a limited number of QSOs were made—just enough to qualify the island as a new IOTA (EU-189).
• With the recent declaration of independence of the Republic of Montenegro from Serbia, it was expected that the ARRL would shortly be adding this country to the DXCC. The present prefix for this area is YU6.
• Bob, N2DXJ noted that the US Government might be limiting visitors to Kure and Midway islands in the future. This would make any future DXpeditions to these islands very difficult.

Starting the business portion of tonight’s meeting was the approval of the May 19 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 club’s March meeting notice. Thanks to the efforts of KE2LJ, Pat, the minutes appear in the LIDXA web site at: http://www.qsl.net/lidxa.

Pat spoke about his recent trip out to the Dayton Hamvention. He was especially interested in describing the Stepper exhibit. Neil, KC2KY, mentioned that he had purchased a Stepper antenna a couple of years ago, and except for some problems, he was satisfied with the performance.

Ed mentioned that he had recently taken a walking tour of Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn and found the burial site of Samuel Morse. Ed past around a few pictures that he had taken of the Morse monument memorial and base plaque. Speaking of plaques, Ed also showed the membership a very nice plaque he had received from the ARRL representing 50 years of League membership. The plaque had an illustration of a QST cover from the year Ed first gotten licensed–January 1956.

NEW BUSINESS

With the election of new officers for the 2006-2008 term to be decided upon at tonight’s meeting, the final ballot was announced at this time.

An informal ballot then elected the following officers of the LIDXA for the next two-year term.

· President: Marty, NN2C

· Vice President: Pat, KE2LJ

· Secretary: Ed, K2MFY

· Treasurer: John, W2GW

· Directors: Tom, AG2A; Lew, W2BIE; and Andy, W2VZQ.

In addition, Ed indicated that he had received e-mail ballots from non-attending members; namely, W2FGD, N2KA, and W2NDP.

The membership warmly applauded the new officers of the club and wished them success over the next two years. Ed said he would forward the election results to the leading DX/amateur radio magazines and web sites.

Neil, KC2KY, mentioned that with Field Day coming up over the June 24^th weekend, Radio Central would be setting up some stations. Also Pat, KE2LJ, indicated that Grumman would be setting up three stations at its past site near the Bethpage water tower. All members were invited to attend in the activity.

A video on the November 2002 DXpedition to America Samoa by K8O and K8T was started. However due to the length of this video it was decided to postpone the presentation until a later date

This meeting concluded early at around 9:30 PM after all the scheduled business and entertainment had finished. Since tonight’s meeting was the last one before our summer hiatus, Marty wished the membership a good summer and indicated that the next meeting would be held on Friday September 15, 2006.

______________________________________

Ed Whitman, K2MFY

LIDXA Secretary