Subject: McHenry County Wireless Association
Regular Meeting minutes – December 2008
The regular meeting of the MCWA was called to order Tuesday December 2, 2008 at 19:30 hrs local at the Nunda Township Hall north of Crystal Lake by Jim, N7US club president
Introductions – Around-the-room self introductions was led by Jim, N7US.
Badges – A discussion of membership badges was brought up. It was learned and shared with the attendees that the potential source WB9MM had passed away after a long illness. He was also very active in the Rockford club and in Amateur TV.
Treasure’s Report – Marty, W9MLP Club Treasure reported the balance of $2,471.19 in the treasury.
Secretary’s Report – Kent, K9KMD none to report
Past Month Meeting Minutes –, minutes from the November MCWA meeting were published in the News Letter. A motion to accept the minutes was made by Marty, W9MLP and seconded by Jerry, N9AVY – motion passed. The November minutes were taken by Marty, W9MLP.
KB9I Repeater Report – Ken, KB9I reported on the interference that the repeater has been experiencing. Apparently, the power company is going to change out about 30 high power insulators that were discovered as the cause. Ken, KB9I explained how he, Steve, K9DCI and others along with a representative from the power company investigated and discovered the root source. In order to replace the insulators, the power company must shutdown, replace, test and power back up the lines. Ken, KB9I will send out an email to everyone announcing when the process will begin. Everyone can then listen for any variations heard.
New Business –
Jack, W9MU announced for DX’ers that Northern Illinois DX Association will have its annual NIDXA Winter Dinner on February 7th 2009 held at Truffles Grove Restaurant in Itasca, IL. All Hams and friends are invited to attend. Jack, W9MU passed around a sign-up sheet.
Jerry, N9AVY will look into membership badges.
Amateur Radio History – Jack, W9MU presented an excellent visit to history of the Hartley oscillator. A basic Heartly oscillator consists of an amplifier, coil/capacitor tank circuit with feed back tapped to the coil. It was invented by Ralph Heartly while working for the Western Electric Company in 1915. Jack, W9MU also told the attendees about the Colpitts oscillator developed by Edwin Colpitts. Colpitts design was similar, however he used two capacitors and one coil with the feedback between the two series capacitors shunt with the coil.
Evening Program – Ken, KB9I discussed some of the more intricate details in tower and antenna installations. He told us how he first started in tower work 25 years ago with his dad when Ken was just 15 years old [25 + 15 = 40 ?]. Ken had many interesting “war stories” relating to tower climbs over the years. He shared many details he has learned from his experience that probably can’t be found in any tower manuals or books.
The meeting ended at ~ 9:15pm
A total of 21 were in attendance.
Respectfully submitted,
Kent, K9KMD – club secretary. December 2, 2008