Minutes – March 2016

MCWA March 2016 Minutes

The March meeting was called to order by President Jim, N7US at 7:05 p.m. on March 1, 2016 in the Crystal Lake Bank meeting room.

The Pledge of Allegiance kicked off the meeting, led by Jim, N7US.

President Jim extended a welcome to all and asked if there were visitors or guests present. New licensees Gary, KD9FML and Craig, KD9FOU introduced themselves to the group.

Introductions around the room followed. Thirty-three people were in attendance for the meeting. Treasurer Joe, N9OK was asked to read a list of unpaid members for the year 2016.

President Jim encouraged all to join the club Yahoo reflector, K9RN, visit the club website at mcwa.org, and join the MCWA Facebook page to keep up on club news and information. Jerry, N9AVY is the newsletter editor and Dave, NT9E keeps the website and Facebook page up to date.

The minutes from the February meeting were published for review on the club website by Secretary Roger, KF9D. Kent, K9KMD moved to accept the minutes as published, seconded by Dave, KD9ESL. The motion passed by voice vote, with one abstention.

Treasurer Joe, N9OK reported a balance of $4426.62 in the club treasury. Expenses for the past month included $744 previously authorized by the membership for a new projector. Paid membership for 2016 is now up to 75 members with 25 remaining unpaid from last year. John, K9JK made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report, seconded by Dave, NT9E. The motion passed by voice vote.

Jack, W9MU informed the club that the  “Introduction to Amateur Radio” class at McHenry County Community College has begun in room A241 on Thursday nights at 7 pm with 5 people enrolled in the class. Three class enrollees were present at the March club meeting.

President Jim announced that a ham breakfast will be held on Saturday March 19th at 8 am at the Golden Corral in Algonquin on Randall Road. Anyone with an interest in ham radio is invited to attend along with their family.

President Jim reminded new members that club call sign badges can be obtained through Ken, KB9I at a cost of $10.

Operating activities and upcoming hamfests, including upcoming contests and DX-peditions, are covered in the club newsletter.

Jack, W9MU stated that the program for next month will be on the topic of non-resonant antennas. He also asked the club if there was interest in a program on the incoming QSL bureau. He will contact K9QVB and try to arrange this for a future program.

Tom, W9NBG moved that the club offer a free one year membership to anyone giving a program during 2016 or 2017. Ed, K9TX seconded the motion. Following much discussion on the topic, the motion failed to pass in a show-of-hands vote.

Jeff, KC9WSJ volunteered to take over the position of club librarian. John, KA9CAR suggested cataloging the material and putting a list of available material on the club website. Members wishing to check out material should contact Jeff in advance so he can bring it to the monthly meeting.

On the topic of Field Day, as announced at the previous meeting, a new site is likely needed for this year. Members were asked to give suggestions, and several were received. Roger, KF9D told members that a group has looked at sites and decided that the Hilltop shelter at Emricson Park in Woodstock is a good candidate. A site map and pictures of the area were shown at the meeting. Ken, KB9I has reserved the shelter with the Parks and Recreation organization for the Friday through Sunday of Field Day weekend. The site is offered free to the club in exchange for providing communications to the Woodstock Challenge Run on June 11th.

President Jim informed the group that the officers have been working on rewriting the club constitution during the previous month. Jim turned the floor over to Vice-President Mike, WB8BZK who give an overview to the membership of the suggested changes. Both the current and proposed constitution can be viewed on the club website. Following the procedure outlined for change given in the current constitution, the proposed constitution was submitted in writing at the March 1st regular meeting by the officers. Copies of the proposal were distributed to all members who desired a hard copy at the meeting. President Jim took the assignment to email copies of the proposed constitution to all club members soon after the March meeting. Members are allowed to vote by mail in advance of the vote that will take place at the April 5th, 2016 meeting. Mailed votes should be sent to the Secretary, Roger, KF9D.

President Jim invited everyone to join the club member group that meets at the Cottage in Crystal Lake immediately after the club meeting for pizza and camaraderie.

There was no additional new business.

After a short break, Roger, KF9D presented a very informative program on resonant HF antennas. Using the antenna analysis application EZNEC, Roger showed comparisons of various resonant antenna types at different heights.