W9DXCC 2013 Program
(planning still in progress - stay tuned for future updates)
Dr. Joe Taylor K1JT - Banquet Speaker
We are pleased to have as our banquet speaker Dr. Joe Taylor, K1JT. Joe is an astrophysicist, and winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics for discovery of the first binary pulsar, which opened up new possibilities in the study of gravitation. (Pulsars are highly magnetized, rotating neutron stars).
Joe obtained his amateur radio license as a teenager, which led him to the field of radio astronomy. Joe is well known in the field of amateur radio weak signal 
communication.
He has written several computer programs and communications protocols, including WSJT ("Weak Signal/Joe Taylor"), a software suite that utilizes computer and radio to communicate via non-traditional radio communications methods, such as moonbounce, meteor scatter and other low signal-to-noise ratio paths. It is also useful for extremely long-distance contacts using very low power transmissions. JT65 has become very popular for DX'ing when no other modes are viable.
NH8S - Swain's Island DXpedition 2012
A team of 19 operators activated NH8S on Swain's Island in September of 2012. They made over 105,000 QSOs, enduring temperatures of 125 degrees and other hardships. Sharing that experience with us will be co-leader of the team Craig Thompson K9CT, noted contester and DXpeditioneer, and frequent guest 
at W9DXCC.
3D2C - Conway Reef DXpedition 2012
Craig K9CT was also on the 3D2C team that made over 70,000 QSOs from Conway Reef a few weeks after the Swain's Island DXpedition.
(If you're in the neighborhood, you might as well activate another rare entity). While Swain's has 17 human inhabitants, the only denizens of Conway are birds and crabs. We are pleased to have Craig share the highlights of 3D2C with us as well.
T6MO/K9GY - Contesting and DX'ing in Afghanistan
Eric Hall, T6MO/K9GY, has returned from his two-year duty with the Army in Afghanistan. 
Eric, a long- time member of SMC, was active in numerous contests during his stay in T6 and provided many of us with a new one while he was there. He will give us the backstory on what it's like to operate in a war zone. Welcome home Eric, and thanks for your service to our country.
FT5ZM - Amsterdam Island 2014 Preview
A team of 14 operators representing 7 countries plan to activate FT5ZM in January 2014. Amsterdam Island is high on the list of most-wanted entities world-wide. On the team are (surprise) Craig Thompson K9CT and Jerry Rosalius WB9Z, who is also well-known to W9DXCC attendees. Jerry will share the plans for FT5ZM as they get closer to the DXpedition. In addition to the rigorous 
permission process, the inaccessibility and logistics required to mount this venture make it a costly undertaking. (It takes 9 days to get there by ship from Australia). The group is still seeking donations. To appreciate the resources required, please visit the FT5ZM website.
IOTA Adventure - K9AJ
Presentation topic by Mike McGirr K9AJ still to be determined (he's been so many places...)
Cycle 24 Update
Our favorite propagation and solar cycle guru Carl Luetzelschwab K9LA will update us on the current progress of Cycle 24.
Have we seen the peak? Will conditions be as good this Fall as they have been the past two years?
(Click on the image at left to see the latest NASA prediction)
NCDXF News
An update by Glenn Johnson W0GJ, currently VP of the Northern
California DX Foundation, on NCDXF DXpedition funding and activities. Glenn has been a leader and participant in many DXpeditions (VK0IR, FT5XM, A52A/A52GJ/A51B, VU4AN/VU3RYJ, VU7RG, K5D, and HK0NA, to name a few).
ARRL Forum
Featuring:
Central Division Director - Dick Isely W9GIG
Division Vice Director - Kermit Carlson W9XA
DX Advisory Committee - Jim O'Connell W9WU
State-of-the-art Audio/Visual equipment for the W9DXCC program provided by Ron Steinberg K9IKZ of