Minutes – February 2017

Subject: Meeting Minutes of February 7, 2017

The monthly February meeting was called to order by President John KA9CAR at 7:00 p.m. on February 7, 2017 in the Crystal Lake Bank meeting room.

President John asked if any guests were present. Guests attending the meeting were James AC9PH and Gloria from Huntley along with Matt NM1S from Ingleside.

Mike KB9BIB had upgraded to Extra class since the last meeting. Members congratulated Mike.

Pres. John reminded those in attendance that the new constitution states that members not paying dues by the March meeting will be dropped from the roster. N7US was available to collect dues in the absence of Treasurer Joe, N9OK.

Introductions around the room followed. Thirty-four people were in attendance for the meeting.

President John encouraged all to join the club Yahoo reflector, K9RN. Jerry N9AVY is the newsletter editor, and members with newsletter input should submit to Jerry.

The minutes from the January meeting were published for review on the club website by Secretary Roger, KF9D. Mike, KC9Q moved to accept the minutes as published, seconded by Dave, NT9E. The motion passed by voice vote.

In Treasurer Joe’s N9OK absence, N7US reported a balance of $4865.42 in the club treasury. Paid membership for 2017 stood at 67 at the beginning of the meeting. John, K9JK made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report, seconded by Mike, KC9Q. The motion passed by voice vote.

Jeff, KC9WSJ is custodian of the club library and has several good books available to club members.

President John informed those in attendance of the passing of former club member Bruce Raney, K9KYJ from Wauconda. Mike WB8BZK shared some memories of activities with Bruce.

Under the topic of general announcements, President John announced a VE test session to be held in February 21, 2017 at the Free Methodist Church in Woodstock. Contact Steve KB9OLD at KB9OLD@arrl.net for further information.

Dave NT9E announced a Saturday breakfast on March 4th at the Green St. Café in McHenry.

VP Mike, WB8BZK updated the group on the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2017 HR555 which has passed the US House and is on the way to the Senate for consideration.

Under the topic of Hamfests, Convention Reports and Announcements, Jim N7US discussed several contests coming up in February. See the newsletter and QST for further details.

Under the topic of old business, Dave NT9E the club Field Day chairman for 2017 reports working with John W9ZE on the possibility of combining efforts with the ARES/RACES group.
John, K9JK made a motion with a second from NT9E that the club approve up to a $500 expenditure for Field Day expenses. The motion carried by voice vote.

A brief review of the January 24th Board of Directors Meeting was given by President John. VP Mike is collecting and scanning past club information and hopes to give a presentation to the group on club history next year on the club’s 40th anniversary.

Of note from the BOD meeting is the fact that the regular July meeting would fall on the July 4th holiday. The board decided to forego the July meeting in favor of a gathering on Field Day Saturday June 24th.

Another item from the BOD meeting concerned reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of the club meeting. The club members discussed points for and against reciting the pledge. Following the discussion, Dave NT9E moved, with a second from K9RUF, to put the Pledge of Allegiance on the agenda for future meetings. The motion passed by a show of hands.

Jack, W9MU mentioned that the March program is scheduled to be Mike McGirr, K9AJ who was a member on the DX-pedition to two rare VP8 Islands in the Antarctic region. Mike is a well known DX-peditioner and the program promises to be very interesting.

Several members had items for Show and Tell. Dave K9RUF showed the new wireless headset from Apple. President John showed a loading coil he had made in order to bring a 43 foot vertical wire on 160 meters into tuning range for his auto tuner. Steve K9DCI demonstrated an oscilloscope app running on an 8 inch Android tablet. Steve also had an early HT220 for which he had built a synthesizer board. Mike KC9Q showed a 2 meter halo antenna, one of his latest offerings on his website.

Wendell N9REP announce that club members are being sought for the communications and SAG support for the Udder Century Bike Ride held on Sunday June 4th, starting at MCC.

Pierre, K9EYE reminded members of the 6 meter forum held each Wednesday night at 7 pm on 50.130 Mhz. Mike KC9Q commented that a total of 22 different stations have participated to date.
Tom W9NBG requested that if future meetings are changed, he would like to get a text message instead of other electronic notification.

Everyone was invited to enjoy pizza at the Cottage restaurant following the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 pm.

After a short break, an Electro Voice noise-cancelling dynamic microphone model 622 donated by Paul W9DWP was raffled off. The winner of the microphone was Dave, KD9ESL. Thanks to Paul for the donation.

After the raffle, Jack W9MU presented a program on propagation which included some theory on propagation along with very useful online and resident tools to predict HF paths to distant stations.

Respectfully Submitted,
Roger Scott, KF9D, MCWA Secretary