[EIDXA] DXpedition support (e.g. VP6DX, etc.)

[Dave Jaksa]

Here is my 2 cents as a former president and now ex-pat EIDXA'er, for what
it is worth.  Being one of the founding members I still feel an allegiance
to EIDXA.  However, I am not going to be presumptuous and suggest what the
EIDXA dues should be but here are some thoughts on the issue.  

When we formed the organization in the early/mid 70's, $2 was adequate to
print and mail a quarterly newsletter.  There were only a few of us back
then and we were able to contribute to a few big DXpeditions by passing the
hat at meetings.  Of course in 1975 a first class stamp was only 10 cents.
There has been more than a bit of inflation since then.

Dues in the Lone Star DX Association (LSDXA) here in the Dallas area is $25
per year.  XYL Judi, W0JJ, becomes a family member for an extra $10.
Virtually all member communication is by reflector, direct email, and a
donated web site http://dxer.org/.  As a result, the club has very little in
the way of expenses so most of the ~$2,500 annual dues goes to directly
support DXpeditions.

Ham radio can be an expensive hobby.  Just add up all the bucks you have
tied up in rigs, computers, accessories, and antennas.  Even a modest DXer's
station can quickly add up to over $10K.  Heck, getting a DX QSL direct with
only a $2 IRC and 90 cent air mail stamp costs over $3 when you add in the
nested envelopes and cost of your QSL card.  And of course, most of us will
put an extra 10 or 20 or more in the envelope to help with DXpedition costs
to a rare place.  

In my opinion $25 is not an unreasonable annual dues for a viable DX
organization.  

73, Dave, W0VX


-----Original Message-----
From: eidxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:eidxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Jim Spencer
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 10:20 AM
To: David J. Schmocker
Cc: eidxa at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [EIDXA] DXpedition support (e.g. VP6DX, etc.)

Dave makes a very good point and I think this would be worth discussing. 
The EIDXA has few expenses but at $5 a year we are not in a position of 
doing much to support DXpeitions.  We should consider increasing the dues 
and have a good discussion of the idea.  Having a committee is a good idea.

73,  Jim


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David J. Schmocker" <kj9i at netins.net>
To: <rhaendel1030 at inabc.net>
Cc: <eidxa at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 7:55 AM
Subject: [EIDXA] DXpedition support (e.g. VP6DX, etc.)


> Rich and everyone:
> I agree with the idea of supporting worthy DXpeditions.   A primary 
> purpose of a DX club is to help fund and support worthy DXpeditions such 
> as VP6DX.
>
> I have seen this arrangement work well in several DX clubs just like EIDXA

> where dues are allocated per a budget earmarking a substantial portion of 
> the operating budget to support DXpeditions toward helping us all work new

> one(s).
>
> Typically, there would be an EIDXA committee of two or three (A DXpedition

> funding pre-selection committee, named the DX committee) which would 
> pre-filter and recommend "worthy" expeditions (on their merits) to the 
> overall membership for a yes/no vote at a recommended funding level which 
> would take into account the total yearly EIDXA available DXpedition 
> support funds.  Of course the input on which prospective expeditions 
> warrant EIDXA support could/would come from any EIDXA member through the 
> DX committee.  Because our EIDXA meetings are quarterly, we'd need to use 
> an electronic communication vehicle such as this reflector to have 
> discussions and authorized and get funding to appropriate groups in a 
> timely manner (before waiting until the next quarterly meeting).
>
> I believe EIDXA dues should be approx. $25/year per member with over half 
> of that earmarked to support DXpeditions as EIDXA is a DX club.
> Just my $0.02 worth.. or maybe with the current dollar devaluation, it's 
> now $0.05 worth?    :-)
>
> 73,
>
> Dave KJ9I
>
> rhaendel1030 at inabc.net wrote:
>> Hello all,
>>
>> The Ducie Island expedition beginning 6 or 7 Feb, 2008 is soliciting 
>> funds
>> to help cover the shortfall they have. They have planned a significant
>> expedition with many operators and many bands to cover in several modes.
>>
>> Some of us may wish to support this expedition by making individual
>> contributions or possibly EIDXA may wish to make a group contribution. 
>> The expenses appear to be about $330,000 US.
>>
>> For individuals the URL is
>> http://ducie2008.dl1mgb.com/howtohelp/paypal/index.php
>>
>> I made my own contribution already
>>
>> Rich W3ACO
>>
>>
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>>
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