ccdxarc.org

What is the CCDX Amateur Radio Club?

The CCDX Amateur Radio Club, also called Cheshire County DX, is a New Hampshire–based group of amateur radio operators who meet, run activities such as Field Day, and share knowledge across "all aspects of Amateur Radio." The name plays on the ARRL's DXCC award, but the club describes itself as broader than DX chasing: it welcomes anyone interested in radio communications, and membership is open to licensed amateurs, both foreign and domestic, even if they already belong to another club. It is based around Swanzey, NH, and communicates by email and Facebook.

What membership involves

• Dues: $20 per year, due January 1, according to the club's page.
• What dues cover: the church hall used for meetings, the club equipment trailer's registration and upkeep, liability and equipment/repeater insurance, Field Day costs, membership mailings, and an annual pizza party.
• How to join: attend a monthly meeting or contact the club president; a printable application is available on the site.

Who it suits

This is a good fit for a licensed ham in southwestern New Hampshire or nearby who wants a local club with low dues, hands-on activities like Field Day, and a social side. Someone outside the region could still join—the club notes "not so local members"—but the practical value depends on whether you can attend meetings or participate in events. A newcomer without a license would need to get licensed first, since membership is limited to licensed amateurs.

Next step: check the meeting schedule and Field Day details on CCDX Amateur Radio Club before deciding; if you are weighing other options, the ARRL's club finder at ARRL lists local clubs by area for comparison.

How much does it cost to join the CCDX Amateur Radio Club and what do the dues cover?

Annual CCDX Amateur Radio Club dues are $20, payable on January 1. Membership is open to all licensed radio amateurs, whether local or not.

What the dues cover

According to the club, the $20 goes toward:

• An annual donation to the Federated Church of Marlborough for use of the meeting building
• Registration and maintenance for the club's equipment trailer
• Club liability insurance
• Miscellaneous Field Day expenses
• The yearly membership-drive mailing
• An annual pizza party
• Upkeep of club equipment and equipment/repeater insurance

The dues are modest and spread across shared infrastructure and social activities, so the practical value comes from participating in meetings, Field Day and the club's operating activities rather than from any individual benefit. Licensed operators who join should expect to help sustain the trailer and repeater equipment even if they rarely use it directly.

Next step

If you're deciding whether to join, visit a monthly meeting first and check the club's site for the current application details: CCDX Amateur Radio Club. The club also notes that members of other clubs are welcome to join as well.

How do I apply for membership in the CCDX Amateur Radio Club?

To apply for membership in the CCDX Amateur Radio Club, print and complete the member application linked from the club's site, then attend a monthly meeting or contact the club president, Fred Von Recklinghausen, to submit it. The club describes membership as open to all licensed radio amateurs, domestic and foreign, and says members of other clubs are welcome too.

What to know before applying

• Licensing: The club states membership is open to licensed radio amateurs. If you are not yet licensed, ask the club directly whether they offer guidance or classes before applying.
• Dues: Annual dues are $20, payable on January 1. The club lists what the dues support: the meeting venue donation, the equipment trailer, liability insurance, Field Day costs, membership mailings, a pizza party, and equipment and repeater upkeep.
• Contact: General questions go to [email protected], or you can reach the president through the contact details on the site. The club also has a Facebook page and a mailing address in Swanzey, New Hampshire.

A practical next step

If you are local to Cheshire County, New Hampshire, the simplest path is to attend one monthly meeting with your completed application and dues in hand; you can meet members and confirm current procedures in person. If you are farther away, email first to ask whether applications can be submitted by mail and how dues should be paid.

For broader context on amateur radio licensing and clubs, the American Radio Relay League at ARRL is the national association the club references in its own materials.

When and where does the CCDX Amateur Radio Club hold its monthly meetings?

The supplied CCDX page does not give the meeting day, time or venue. It only says you can "drop by for one of our monthly meetings" and lists a mailing address (PO Box 10661, Swanzey, NH 03446-0661) and a general contact email ([email protected]). The page names the club president, Fred Von Recklinghausen, as a membership contact, but does not publish his direct details.

Practical next step

If you want to attend, treat the meeting schedule as something to confirm before travelling:

• Email the general address and ask for the next meeting date, start time and location.
• Ask specifically whether the meeting is in person, hybrid or online, since the page mentions a building used by the club (the Federated Church of Marlborough) only in the context of dues covering a donation for its use — not as a stated meeting venue.
• Mention that you are a licensed amateur interested in joining, since the page says membership is open to licensed amateurs, foreign and domestic.

For a wider New Hampshire schedule you could also check ARRL, but the club's own contact is the reliable route for CCDX-specific details.

What is Field Day and how does the CCDX Amateur Radio Club participate in it?

Field Day is the annual amateur radio operating event in which clubs and individuals set up temporary stations—often outdoors, on emergency power—to practise communicating under field conditions, contact as many other stations as possible, and demonstrate the hobby to the public. The CCDX Amateur Radio Club lists Field Day among its club activities, and its member dues help cover Field Day–related expenses, so the event is part of the club's regular programme rather than a one-off. The club describes itself as open to anyone interested in amateur radio and to licensed amateurs domestic and foreign; for a newcomer, Field Day is a natural first visit because it combines operating, setup and social contact.

Practical next step

If you are considering attending, check the club's meeting and activity information on CCDX Amateur Radio Club before the event, or contact the club through the general email address it publishes. Ask three concrete questions: whether visitors can operate under supervision, whether unlicensed guests can try listening or logging, and what to bring (water, sun protection, sturdy shoes). Arriving during setup usually gives the best chance to help and learn.

What to expect at a Field Day site

• Station setup: antennas erected temporarily, radios and logging arranged in a tent, trailer or shelter.
• Power: generators or batteries, which is part of the exercise in operating without mains power.
• Operating shifts: members take turns on bands and modes, often with a coach beside a newer operator.
• Public contact: explaining the hobby to visitors and, at many sites, a designated "Get on the air" position.

Decision criteria

Field Day suits you if you want hands-on experience, teamwork and a time-boxed challenge more than quiet solo operating. It suits you less if you prefer a settled home station or dislike outdoor logistics. For a club, strong Field Day participation is a useful signal of an active membership; for an individual, one visit tells you more about a club's culture than any description.

What activities and resources does the CCDX Amateur Radio Club offer to local ham radio operators?

The CCDX Amateur Radio Club (Cheshire County DX Amateur Radio Club) is a general-interest ham radio club based in Swanzey, New Hampshire, open to licensed amateurs locally and beyond. Its activities center on monthly meetings, board meetings, organized activities, and Field Day, with club communications and updates also shared through its Facebook page. The club describes itself as covering "all aspects of Amateur Radio" rather than only DX chasing, despite the DXCC-inspired name.

What the club offers

• Monthly meetings and board meetings — the main in-person gathering point; the club invites prospective members to simply drop by one.
• Field Day — an annual operating event the club funds and organizes as a group activity.
• A shared equipment trailer — registered and maintained by the club, giving members access to club-owned gear for events.
• Equipment and repeater support — dues help cover upkeep of club equipment and equipment/repeater insurance.
• Social events — including an annual pizza party.
• A route into membership for any licensed amateur — including foreign and domestic hams and people who already belong to another club. Dues are $20 per year, due January 1, and an application form is available on the site. General questions go to [email protected].

Who it suits

This is a good fit for a New Hampshire or nearby ham who wants a low-cost, low-commitment club with regular face-to-face meetings, shared equipment, and a Field Day crew — and who is comfortable with a club that spreads its efforts across many facets of the hobby rather than specializing in contesting or DX. Someone outside the region can still join, but the practical value depends on whether they can attend meetings or events.

A practical next step

If you are considering joining, email the club before the next meeting to confirm the time and location, then visit once before paying dues. Ask specifically how the equipment trailer is scheduled and who can borrow or operate from it — that is the clearest test of whether the club's resources match what you want from the hobby.