Subject: McHenry County Wireless Association
Regular Meeting minutes – November 3, 2009

Meet begun 19:30
Introductions: MCWA President Ken, KB9I opened the meeting by asking for visitors and guests to start the self-introductions. The 17 members and 10 visitors introduced themselves.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
W9MLP described a DVD that contains info from the Dayton Hamvention that would be useful as program material . It contains the 2009 hamvention tour 42 minutes and 2009 ARRL forum 44 minutes. Both could be used as programs. After the programs are presented the DVD would be donated to the club library for members to view the 2008 and 2009 FCC forums each over 1 hour. Club purchase was moved by W9MU seconded and carried . W9MLP will order the DVD.
REPEATER REPORT
KB9I described on going efforts of Edison to reduce or eliminate the noise caused by defective insulators. The power was shut down on the offending lines. The repeater sensitivity improved by 20 dB. After the insulators were replaced the improvement was 10 dB after the power was turned back on. Edison seems possibly interested in additional efforts.

KB9I described a few tower experiences he has had lately including taking down a 90 foot Rohn 25G in record time.

DX report
KA9OZP described good DX lately.
W9HOG described his experience getting QSL cards from DX contacts. He said the return was low despite including green stamps included with his card. He had to resort to sending “where is my QSL letters” to get any results. He also described RFI he received possibly from under counter lights. He has been unable to reduce the RFI so he turns them off when he uses his radio.

N9DJ and K9TX described amateur equipment they had for sale. Ken suggested they send him list to be put on the club website.

After a break and treats supplied by W9MU the raffle was held by N9REP which included Yaesu Hats and maps from the DXCC donated by N9AVY.

An interesting and informative program on antenna tuners was presented by W9MU.

The meeting was adjourned at 21:00

Respectfully submitted by W9MLP for

Kent, K9KMD Club Secretary
September 1, 2009