Meeting Minutes of December 1, 2020
President Ralph Iden (WB9ICF) called the December 2020 meeting to order at 7:02 PM by Zoom meetings. The Pledge of Allegiance followed led by Dave Holmgren (K9AT). Ralph informed the membership that Deborah Maresso, wife of Steve Maresso (KB9OLD), passed away on November 27 at her home in Fontana, Wisconsin.
Board members present were Gary Dembski (W9GD), Dean Hettel (WC9C nee WD9FOO), Ralph Iden (WB9ICF), Gary Kaatz (W9TD), Dan Larson (KD9M), Mike Metroka (WB8BZK), and Mike Salak (KC9Q).
A total of 33 people were in attendance, including three guests, our speaker for tonight, Lloyd Berg (N9LB), Bob Sepot (KC9JBA) and Robert Sepot (KC9LOU).
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the November 2020 meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. John Cankar (W9JM) motioned to approve the minutes with Harold Burt(W9HB) seconding the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote.
Membership and Financial Reports
Treasurer Dean Hettel (WC9C) presented the membership and financial reports for November. MCWA has a membership of 120 full members, 8 family members and 2 associate members for a total of 130. Dean reminded the membership to pay their dues for the upcoming year.
| Opening Balance | $6,289.95 | |
| Deposits | $170.00 | (dues) |
| $276.43 | (Sale of K9DMV rotor donation) | |
| Expenditures | $30.05 | (Shipping for rotor that was sold) |
| Interest | $0.06 | |
| Final Balance | $6,706.39 |
A motion to approve the financial report was made by Joe Robin (N9OK) with a second by Mike Salak (KC9Q). The motion was approved by voice vote
Announcements
K9RN Field Day results: our score of 8,930 (2006 QSOs) ranked 5th place nationally in class 2A and 1st place in the Illinois Section and Central Division. The MCWA Club aggregate score was 15,712.
Dayton Hamvention is tentatively a “go”. Tickets available for purchase now, replacement tickets for cancelled 2020 Hamvention are being sent.
“Hams in Space” – Crew Dragon spacecraft Resilience launched on November 16 with four amateur radio operators on board. The return to Earth is scheduled for May 2021.
FCC Amateur Radio Fees NPRM (20-270) comments closed on November 16. A total of 3,963 comments were posted out of over 750,000 U.S. Amateurs.
Hamfest/Conference Reports
Sweepstakes – CW: Mike Metroka (WB8BZK) said he made more contacts than he ever has. Roger Scott (KF9D) said he had a lot of fun.
Sweepstakes – SSB: Mike Metroka (WB8BZK) and Joe Robin (N9OK) participated. Joe remarked that 10 meters was OK.
CQ Worldwide DX Contest – CW: Mike Metroka (WB8BZK) and Roger Scott (KF9D) participated.
Upcoming:
ARRL 160-meter CW Contest – December 4-6
ARRL 10-meter SSB/CW Contest – December 12-13
Rookie Roundup CW – December 20
Straight Key Night – January 1
RTTY Roundup – January 2-3
January VHF Contest – January 16-18
Upcoming MCWA Presentations
January 5 Inexpensive Test Equipment for Hams, Part 2, Gary Kaatz W9TD
February 2 European SOTA & Friedrichshafen, Sevim Ablay WB8BHN
March 2 ARRL Update, Kermit Carlson, W9XA
Ralph said that Mike Metroka (WB8BZK) has more presentations on tap.
Awards and license upgrades
No members reported any new awards. Both Bill Wacaser and Dean Hettel reported receiving new call signs, KD9WEW and WC9C, respectively.
Old Business
The first part of the membership survey results was shared last month. The survey closed for additional responses on November 30. A total of 50 responses were received from a membership of 129 (39% response rate). Ralph presented graphs of the responses to a number of survey questions relating to what the membership is looking for from MCWA. Mike Metroka (WB8BZK) encouraged the membership to give talks on the topics that were requested in the survey.
New Business
No other new business was proposed.
Wrap up
Lloyd Berg (N9LB) will be presenting “Introduction to getting on 472 and 136 kHz” following the adjournment of tonight’s meeting.
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, January 5, 2021 by Zoom meetings. Open “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM.
A motion to adjourn was made by Dennis Ryan (KA9PUC) and seconded by Joe Jaax (W9JCS). The motion was approved by voice vote and the meeting was adjourned at 7:44 PM.
Prepared by Gary Kaatz (W9TD), MCWA Secretary