2026 Santa Maria DXers & Contesters Convention
April 10-12, 2026
April 10-12, 2026
Organizers
Convention Chairman: Jim Neiger, N6TJ jamesneiger876 [at] gmail [dot] com
Event Director: Dick Norton, N6AA n6aa [at] arrl [dot] net
Webmaster: Dennis Younker, NE6I ne6i [at] cox [dot] net
Event Director: Dick Norton, N6AA n6aa [at] arrl [dot] net
Webmaster: Dennis Younker, NE6I ne6i [at] cox [dot] net
Tell us what interests you
Please click HERE to tell us what you would be interested in at the Convention.
2026 Santa Maria DX & Contesters Convention
updated 13 August 2025
The Santa Maria 2026 Convention will take place April 10-12, 2026 at The Historic Santa Maria Inn. It will run from mid-day Friday through mid-day Sunday. We have negotiated a special hotel rate of $99 USD/night (plus taxes/fees). We have also arranged for the same special rate at the Best Western Plus Big America Hotel. See "HOTEL" page for more information.
The Convention is co-presented by the Southern California Contest Club and the San Diego DX Club.
There will be a nominal Convention Registration fee (tbd).
From Convention Chairman, Jim Neiger, N6TJ:
Santa Maria is situated on the fabled central coast of California, approximately half-way between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area. Known today for its many wineries, fabulous steak houses, and its west coast spaceport at the Vandenberg Space Force Base, as well as its frequent space launches to witness, next April’s doings promise to offer much to the many DXers and Contesters planning to attend. Already, luminaries like Tim K3LR and Andy 5Z4VJ (ZD7VJ, ZD8VJ, etc.) have announced their intentions to attend.
N6TJ has stated that the legendary Far Western Tavern will host a Friday night Contest Dinner. Seating is limited. Registration for this dinner is on a first come, first served basis so register early! Other events are being planned.
We are excited to announce that Adrian, KO8SCA will do a presentation on what will then be a recently completed (and anxiously anticipated) 2026 3Y0K DXpedition to Bouvet Island! Keep an eye on the Events page for more information!
N6TJ has said that he welcomes hearing from anyone planning to attend, or with questions and ideas. Jim’s email address is jamesneiger876@gmail.com.
Exhibitors
DX Engineering is graciously sponsoring a happy hour / attitude adjustment Saturday night. See Events page for details.
Other interested vendors/exhibitors should contact the Event Director, Dick, N6AA.
Volunteers
We may need some volunteers for certain functions. If interested in volunteering, please contact the Convention Chairman, N6TJ or the Event Director, N6AA.
Stay tuned for more...
The Convention is co-presented by the Southern California Contest Club and the San Diego DX Club.
There will be a nominal Convention Registration fee (tbd).
From Convention Chairman, Jim Neiger, N6TJ:
Santa Maria is situated on the fabled central coast of California, approximately half-way between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area. Known today for its many wineries, fabulous steak houses, and its west coast spaceport at the Vandenberg Space Force Base, as well as its frequent space launches to witness, next April’s doings promise to offer much to the many DXers and Contesters planning to attend. Already, luminaries like Tim K3LR and Andy 5Z4VJ (ZD7VJ, ZD8VJ, etc.) have announced their intentions to attend.
N6TJ has stated that the legendary Far Western Tavern will host a Friday night Contest Dinner. Seating is limited. Registration for this dinner is on a first come, first served basis so register early! Other events are being planned.
We are excited to announce that Adrian, KO8SCA will do a presentation on what will then be a recently completed (and anxiously anticipated) 2026 3Y0K DXpedition to Bouvet Island! Keep an eye on the Events page for more information!
N6TJ has said that he welcomes hearing from anyone planning to attend, or with questions and ideas. Jim’s email address is jamesneiger876@gmail.com.
Exhibitors
DX Engineering is graciously sponsoring a happy hour / attitude adjustment Saturday night. See Events page for details.
Other interested vendors/exhibitors should contact the Event Director, Dick, N6AA.
Volunteers
We may need some volunteers for certain functions. If interested in volunteering, please contact the Convention Chairman, N6TJ or the Event Director, N6AA.
Stay tuned for more...
79 more days until Santa Maria 2026 !
Happy hour Saturday night at the Santa Maria Inn courtesy DX Engineering
