Author: Dave

NEWSLETTER OF THE NEW JERSEY ANTIQUE RADIO CLUB

December 2025

Volume 31 Issue 12

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The Jersey Broadcaster is distributed to members of the New Jersey Antique Radio Club via email as a PDF file. Back issues of many of our newsletters are available on the club’s website:
www.njarc.org/broadcaster/

Our January meeting was held at InfoAge and consisted of ‘refresher course’ on how to most effectively participate in our annual Broadcast Band DX Contest. Due to technical difficulties, this December issue of the newsletter wasn’t able to be published in time to announce the meeting. Please enjoy this December 2025 issue of your Broadcaster with apologies from the editor.

Meeting Notice

Greetings Fellow Enthusiasts!
I am reviewing for you our November 22nd, Fall Hamfest Swapmeet Show at the Parsippany PAL. It was not the best show ever, nor was it the worst show. But I was extremely disappointed with the number of vendors who reserved tables! To compound my disappointment were the 3 vendors who cancelled their table reservations the day before our show. This left 6 tables vacant. Not good “optics” for the buying public! So I had to institute the “Neighbor Share Plan”. I asked vendors to spread their wares North or South, left or right to cover all empty tables, “at no additional cost to them”. That statement hurts, considering the high costs we incur at Parsippany PAL!
As I said, it was not the worst show for our club at PAL, but that was thanks to the “Gate” and especially to Lady Judith and Jerry Ingordo, who were our Gate Keepers! They sold over 120 entrance stickers to our intrepid collector/buyers. I’m sure it was caused by our presence now on Social Media! Speaking of Social Media, we need to thank Matt and Paul and Bill and Dave for their work. The new $8 entrance fee/donation helped to cover the New $100 cost of a“Sanitary Permit” required by PAL for our Radio Bagel Vending.
So to conclude my rant, our club did make some money, and the buyers I talked with were happy with the diverse amount of radio related items available.
Thanks go out to Lady Judith, Jerry, Fred, Vince, Paul, Ziggy and Darren for all their work in making our Fall Show happen. Also, “Thank You” to ARRL Assistant Director of our Hudson Division, Nomar Vizcarrondo NP4H, for supplying a General Class License Manual to the raffle. A big shout-out to our ever-generous club member, Joe Conner, for his donations that will be auctioned during the coming New Year.

From the President’s Workbench

The President’s Workbench.

Home Preparation for the Swapmeet: paperwork galore!

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Have you seen the new NJARC website? Club Archivist and website co-administrator Matt Reynolds has been busy dragging us from 1995 into the present with an updated look and updated functionality to our online presence. Check it out at www.njarc.org.
December 13: NJARC Holiday Party, Jackson NJ
January 9: NJARC monthly meeting, InfoAge
February 13: NJARC monthly meeting, Princeton
February 21: NJARC Repair Clinic, InfoAge
March 13: NJARC monthly meeting, InfoAge
March 15: NJARC Spring Radio Show, Parsippany
April 10: NJARC monthly meeting, Princeton
April 24-26: Marconi Day, InfoAge
April 25: NJARC Repair Clinic, InfoAge
May 15: NJARC monthly meeting, InfoAge

Website Update

Calendar of Events

The Jersey Broadcaster December 2025

Volume 31 Issue 12

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THE JERSEY BROADCASTER is the newsletter of the New Jersey Antique Radio Club (NJARC) which is dedicated to preserving the history and enhancing the knowledge of radio and related disciplines. Dues are $25 per year and meetings are held on the second Friday of each month either at InfoAge or at Princeton University. Neither the editor nor NJARC is liable for any other use of the contents of this publication other than for information.
PRESIDENT:
Richard Lee (914) 589-3751
president@njarc.org
VICE PRESIDENT:
Paul Mondok
VP@njarc.org
VICE PRESIDENT EMERITUS:
Sal Brisindi
SECRETARY:
(Position open)
email
TREASURER:
Harry Klancer (732) 238-1083
treasurer@njarc.org
NEWSLETTER EDITOR:
Dave Sica (732) 382-0618
newsletter@njarc.org
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS:
Darren Hoffman (732) 928-0594
2
TRUSTEES:
Ray Chase (908) 757-9741
trustee1@njarc.org
Phil Vourtsis (732) 208-4284
trustee2@njarc.org
Bill Zukowski (732) 833-1224
trustee3@njarc.org
TECHNICAL COORDINATOR:
Al Klase (908) 892-5465
guru@njarc.org
TUBE PROGRAM:
Darren Hoffman tubes@njarc.org
SCHEMATIC PROGRAM:
Aaron Hunter (609) 267-3065
schematics@njarc.org
CAPACITOR PROGRAM:
Richard Lee (914) 589-3751
president@njarc.org
MUSEUM CURATOR:
Ray Chase museum@njarc.org
WEBSITE COORDINATOR:
Dave Sica webmaster@njarc.org
ARCHIVIST:
Matt Reynolds archivist@njarc.org
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY:
Marsha Simkin (609) 660-8160
33 Lakeland Drive, Barnegat NJ 08005
membership@njarc.org

President’s Workbench
(Continued)
From the President’s Workbench
(Continued)

As I said, it was not the worst show for our club at PAL, but that was thanks to the “gate” and especially to Lady Judith and Jerry Ingordo, who were our Gate Keepers! They sold over 120 entrance stickers to our intrepid collector/buyers. I’m sure it was caused by our presence now on Social Media! Speaking of Social Media, we need to thank Matt and Paul and Bill and Dave for their work. The new $8 entrance fee/donation helped to cover the New $100 cost of a “Sanitary Permit” required by PAL for our Radio Bagel Vending.
So to conclude my rant, our club did make some money, and the buyers I talked with were happy with the diverse amount of radio related items available.
Thanks go out to Lady Judith, Jerry, Fred, Vince, Paul, Ziggy and Darren for all their work in making our Fall Show happen. Also, “Thank You” to ARRL Assistant Director of our Hudson Division, Nomar Vizcarrondo NP4H, for supplying a General Class License Manual to the raffle. A big shout-out to our ever-generous club member, Joe Conner, for his donations that will be auctioned during the coming New Year.
– Richard Lee, Pres. NJARC

The Hoards Lined Up at 7:55 AM

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The Jersey Broadcaster December 2025

Volume 31 Issue 12

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President’s Workbench
(Continued)
From the President’s Workbench
(Continued)

Lady Judith and Jerry Doing What They Do Best!

Fred Distributing the Sanitary Radio Bagels

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Volume 31 Issue 12

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President’s Workbench
(Continued)
From the President’s Workbench
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Nomar and Gene. Ol’ Buddies

Vendor Mike Rosen

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Volume 31 Issue 12

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President’s Workbench
(Continued)
From the President’s Workbench
(Continued)

Vendor Bruce D’Adamo

Jon Butz Fiscina: Last Man Out

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Volume 31 Issue 12

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DX Condition Update
(From the NJARC Communicator)
From the President’s Workbench
(Continued)

Paul Mondok has been providing a “master class” of detailed information regarding radio signal propagation changes on a day-to-day basis, along with tips as to how this information can help you understand and DX conditions and hopefully improve our chances of getting the best results possible in our 2026 BCBDX contest.
Paul’s information is contained in posts on our club’s email Communicator. You can search for “AA2PM DX” in your email client to view the original emails.
1/17/2026
In this message, Paul provides a detailed, personalized forecast and plan for Medium-Wave (AM) DXing (long-distance radio reception) from Martinsville, NJ, for the DX Contest.
Overall Propagation Conditions
The conditions are described as moderately good and above-average, with quiet geomagnetic conditions favoring stable nighttime skywave reception.
Geomagnetic Activity: Quiet (low K-index) → stable long-distance reception.
X-Ray Flux: Quiet (no recent flares) → no sudden Medium-Wave (MW) fadeouts.
D-Layer Absorption: Low/fully collapsed after sunset → minimal absorption, which is ideal for MW DXing.
DX Expectation and Best Times
The forecast suggests listeners can expect strong regional signals, mid-distance skip (300–800 miles), and possible long-distance DX from the Midwest, Deep South, Canada, and the Caribbean.
Custom Frequency-by-Frequency Plan
Broken into three tiers:
Baseline Frequencies (Strong, Reliable): Includes local "blowtorch" stations like 660 WFAN and 880 WCBS (NYC), which are useful for "antenna nulling" to reveal weaker signals behind them.
High-Probability DX Targets (Very Likely): Stations that commonly reach NJ under quiet conditions, such as 650 WSM (Nashville), 700 WLW (Cincinnati), 750 WSB (Atlanta), and 840 WHAS (Louisville).
Long-Shot DX (Possible between 12:30 AM and 3:00 AM): More exotic targets made possible by the quiet conditions, including 530 Radio Enciclopedia (Cuba), 800 VOWR (Newfoundland, Trans-Atlantic Possibility), and 1180 Radio Rebelde (Cuba).
Tips to Maximize Reception
Operational tips:
Rotate your radio to null strong NYC stations.
Use narrow bandwidth to help dig out weak signals.
Log signals between midnight and 3 AM for the best variety.
Aiming Tips are included, advising which null directions (West/Northwest, South/Southwest) are best for different regions.

Time (EST)	What to Expect
Now – Midnight	Strong regional + mid-distance skip; best signal stability.
Midnight – 3 AM	Peak long-distance DX (Midwest, Deep South, Canada).
3 AM – Sunrise	Quiet band, fewer stations, but excellent for weak DX and lowest noise floor.

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The Jersey Broadcaster December 2025

Volume 31 Issue 12

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DX Condition Update
(Continued)
From the President’s Workbench
(Continued)

Tips to Maximize Reception
Operational tips:
Rotate your radio to null strong NYC stations.
Use narrow bandwidth to help dig out weak signals.
Log signals between midnight and 3 AM for the best variety.
Aiming Tips are included, advising which null directions (West/Northwest, South/Southwest) are best for different regions.
1/19/2026
Paul reported “bad news” regarding the contest conditions. The reason for unfavorable conditions is a solar flare/Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) has directed material toward Earth, resulting in an S# Strong Solar Radiation Storm.
The expected impact of this solar event is that contest conditions "may not be good tonight.” Despite the poor prediction, it might be worth “giving it a try anyway!"
Paul included a link to Space Weather Live for more details about the solar event. https://rb.gy/feagui

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Volume 31 Issue 12

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DX Condition Update
(Continued)
From the President’s Workbench
(Continued)

1/20/2025
Paul reported that we are still in storm conditions, although not nearly as severe.
You can get the current conditions via these links:
https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/solar-activity.html
https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/solar-activity/solar-flares.html
The radio blackout graphic is available by clicking on the second link & scrolling down.
As you can see, the attenuation is still quite high:
Below is a snip from Space weather live which briefs us yesterday’s storm:
Please see this link: https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/news/view/600/20260119-cme-impact-s4-solar-radiation-storm.html

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Volume 31 Issue 12

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Follow the ongoing conversation on the NJARC Communicator for the latest information and tips!
First Steps in DX START HERE
Contest Kit - All you need in one file.
Rules (.pdf) https://www.njarc.ar88.net/DX%20rules%202026.pdf
Log Sheets (.pdf) https://www.njarc.ar88.net/CONTEST_LOG.pdf
Log Sheets in EXCEL https://www.njarc.ar88.net/Log%202-0.xls
Log Sheets - Large Print https://www.njarc.ar88.net/SHORT%20LOG.pdf
NJARC Easy-Log in EXCEL https://www.njarc.ar88.net/NJARC%20Easy%20Log.xls
Station List https://www.njarc.ar88.net/Freq_list_2022.pdf
Distances (.pdf) https://www.njarc.ar88.net/distance.pdf
Target List & Dial Calibration - NYC https://www.njarc.ar88.net/Band%20Scan%20Log%20NYC.pdf
Target List & Dial Calibration - Phila. https://www.njarc.ar88.net/Band%20Scan%20Log%20Phila.pdf
Al's story from 2004 https://www.njarc.ar88.net/Shutter_DX.pdf
Radio DX Videos And more DX info on the Radio Technology Museum Site. http://www.rtm.ar88.net/Radio%20Listening.html
A few helpful websites: Distance Calculator https://www.distancefromto.net/ Medium-Wave List http://www.mwlist.org/mwlist_quick_and_easy.php?area=3&kHz=0
FCC Database https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/am-query
Radio-locator http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder

DX Condition Update
(Continued)
From the President’s Workbench
(Continued)

NJARC 2026 DX Contest 16-25 January, 2026
Full information at http://www.njarc.ar88.net/contest.html
From the President’s Workbench
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