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

Thu Feb 7 14:12:41 EST 2008

Rick,

I am sure a part of the history and that history is hard to remember what 
was what and when!

We started as a DX AND a contest club.  In the very beginning there was a 
requirement that a member participate in at least two contests and year and 
submit scores for club aggregate scoring. That requirement was removed well 
after many had stopped submitting scores as a practical matter.  Some of us 
got involved in Sweepstakes but I don't think many.  Mainly it was the four 
big DX contests and the 10 meter contest for some.

History is history but the main questions are what is the EIDXA now and what 
should it be in the future.  Some energy along those lines could strengthen 
the club and I think it could be very worthwhile.  Let's use the ideas of 
supporting DXpeditions that Rich and Dave started as a springboard to the 
discussion of other issues.

The areas we want to emphasize seem to be the fundamental questions we need 
to ask ourselves.  If we decide that it is important that we support 
DXpeditions as a club effort, I think there are a lot of ways of doing that. 
Increasing dues being just one of those ways.  So I would suggest that Glen 
get his whole topic on the agenda and lets have some fun with it.

I appreciate all of the insights I've received from the two day discussion 
on our list server.  That is really why we have a list server and it is good 
to see it being used.

73,  Jim  W0SR
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <reheinri at rockwellcollins.com>
To: "Dave Jaksa" <w0vx at verizon.net>; "'Jim Spencer'" <jlscr at mchsi.com>
Cc: <eidxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net>; <eidxa at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2008 8:42 AM
Subject: RE: [EIDXA] DXpedition support (e.g. VP6DX, etc.)

> Interesting thread, but I have a question for the historians.
>
> I realize that DX is a core element of the club.  I also realize that
> there has been some discussion related to contesting and its impact and
> value.  When I read the club's constitution I find reference to DX
> contests but not others.  I was under the impression that, at one time,
> there was more of a contest thread in the club as well.  (I seem to recall
> that there was a "requirement" to participate in some mix of Sweepstakes,
> ARRL DX, CQWW DX, etc.)  Am I losing touch with my memory?
>
> No - I'm not trying to overthrow any move for an increase in dues - I've
> advocated that for quite a while.  But with some of the discussion of
> changes to bylaws and other "governing" issues, I think we ought to
> re-think several issues.
>
> For example, annually we have our summer meeting as a picnic.  It is
> informal and in many respects is not a full meeting.  But what if our
> summer "meeting" were part of Field Day.  This is an operating event (I'm
> sensitive to those that don't want to refer to Field Day as a contest) but
> it would be a great opportunity for a club sponsored activity, expand some
> of the camaraderie, provide a picnic like activity, etc.
>
> I know that I have proposed some level of club contest incentives in the
> past and that Steve, N0SM is considering a similar concept.
>
> I think an increase in dues is very appropriate if it helps stimulate our
> club.  In the past we needed a minimal amount of income to handle the
> newsletter, postage, certain annual fees, etc.  DXing is a key element and
> expedition sponsorship is a great idea.  But if we are going to adjust our
> dues structure, I would recommend that we consider other items that may
> help stimulate our club into a more active body.
>
> A DX-pedition Standing Committee would be a great idea.  Are there other
> events that we should consider?  I'm looking for a way to bring more
> participation into the club.  To stimulate our club into being more
> "active" in some way.
>
> As we consider a dues increase, we should also consider what the
> "threshold of pain" is for our membership.  Is $25 a challenge for those
> on a fixed income?  Should we have some level of tiering?  What I would
> not want to happen is for us to drive existing members away if we
> increased the dues because of the "value" of the dues to the benefit of
> being a member.
>
> Just some more fodder for the discussion.
>
> But for the record - I support a dues increase - I just want to know the
> plan for distribution of the "revenue".
>
> Rick N0YY
>
>
>
>
>
> "Dave Jaksa" <w0vx at verizon.net>
> Sent by: eidxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> 02/06/2008 11:39 AM
>
> To
> "'Jim Spencer'" <jlscr at mchsi.com>, "'David J. Schmocker'"
> <kj9i at netins.net>
> cc
> eidxa at mailman.qth.net
> Subject
> RE: [EIDXA] DXpedition support (e.g. VP6DX, etc.)
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 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
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> EIDXA mailing list
>>> EIDXA at mailman.qth.net
>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/eidxa
>>>
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/eidxa
>>
>
>
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