Floyd Gerald, N5FG and Lee Turner, WA5EZQ formed the Magnolia DX Association (MDXA) in 1976. Their only motivation at the time was to help each other achieve DXCC. The MDXA is the largest DX club in the state of Mississippi and has grown to over 80 members since the beginning. We also managed the ARRL's W5 QSL Buro from 1998 to 2002. The club has Mississippi's two official ARRL DXCC Card Checkers who are John Bergman, KC5LK, covering the northern half of the state, and Cliff Green, N5WI, who covers the southern half of the state. The club has played a key role in local and state hamfests, the International DX Convention formerly held in New Orleans, LA, and now has its own annual DX Dinner held each December. The MDXA presents two major awards each year.MDXA DXer of the Year, and MDXA Member of the Year.

In 1996 the club received the callsign K5MDX and has become very active in most major contests... . finishing within the top ten of the nation in almost every contest entered. This has included single op, multi op, CW, and SSB categories. K5MDX has also become a big player in the ARRL's annual Field Day activities.... continually climbing the ladder each year and finishing third in the nation for the 3A category in 2002. We anxiously await the official scores for 2006! This contesting spirit has also seen a renewed interest in DXpeditions and IOTA activations. On the DX side, several members have gone to several places to include BQ9P, C6A, HS0, JD1, PJ4, TI, VP5, VP9, XX9, YB, ZB2, and ZF2, PZ. As for the IOTA side, the MDXA has activated Dauphin Island, AL (NA-213) as W4D, and most recently Cat Island, MS (NA-082) as K5C. Both of these rare IOTAs have been activated by the club several times during the past few years. And we've even gotten in on the Lighthouse adventure.activating the Biloxi Lighthouse (USA-056) as W5B in 2000 & 2001.

Regarding individual DX accomplishments, the MDXA has 43 members who have over 300 countries confirmed and 30 who have achieved DXCC Honor Roll. The top spot is currently held by Keith Luke, W5AV, with a whopping 372 in the mixed category! Several members also hold the 5BDXCC Award. A few members hold the 5BWAZ award, including N5FG with all 200 zones confirmed. So when you talk with most MDXA club members, get ready to talk DX..... because they truly believe DX IS! If you are intereseted in joining the Magnolia DX Association and in doing so continue to help the DX Community to grow. Please fill out a Membership Application.