MCWA Meeting Minutes of January 5, 2021
President Ralph Iden (WB9ICF) called the January 2021 meeting to order at 7:03 PM by Zoom meetings. The Pledge of Allegiance followed led by Dave Holmgren (K9AT). Ralph noted that the meeting and the presentation would be recorded.
Board members present were Gary Dembski (W9GD), Dean Hettel (WC9C), Ralph Iden (WB9ICF), Gary Kaatz (W9TD), Dan Larson (KD9M), Mike Metroka (WB8BZK) and Mike Salak (KC9Q).
A total of 37 people were in attendance, with no guests.
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the December 2020 meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. John Cankar (W9JM) motioned to approve the minutes with Kent Dulaney (K9KMD) 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 December. MCWA has a membership of 120 full members, 8 family members and 2 associate members for a total of 130 not including new member Tim Schroepfer (KD9OJP). Dean reminded the membership to pay their dues for this year.
| Opening Balance | $6,706.39 | |
| Deposits | $149.41 | (dues) |
| Expenditures | $0.00 | |
| Interest | $0.05 | |
| Final Balance | $6,855.85 |
A motion to approve the financial report was made by Roger Scott (KF9D) with a second by Fred Soop (AC9RQ). The motion was approved by voice vote.
Announcements
FCC Amateur Radio Fees NPRM (20-270) was finalized in a Report and Order released on December 29. Fees were scaled back to $35 for new license applications, special temporary authority requests, rule waiver requests, license renewals and vanity call sign applications. There will be no fee for administrative updates such as a change of mailing or email address. John Cankar (W9JM) noted that the fee is imposed per application.
Additionally, effective June 29, 2021, amateur radio licensees and candidates must provide the FCC with an email address on all applications. Log into the ULS License Manager System with your FRN and password and update your record. John Dewey (KA9CAR) said that the password requirements have changed and if your old password does not meet the requirements, you will need to change it. He noted that there could be some difficulty doing so if you did not have a challenge question set up.
Hamfest Update
Nearby hamfests have been cancelled with the exception of the Wheaton hamfest which is to be held virtually over Zoom on January 17 from 8:30 AM until 1:30 PM You need to register for it at http://www.w9ccu.org/Hamfest.html. Hamvention is still tentatively on and replacement tickets have been sent although not everyone has received them.
In remembrance of K9DMV, MCWA received a donation from Jerry Kessler, N4JL, in the amount of $73 to be used to advance amateur radio and support MCWA.
Contest Reports
ARRL 160-meter CW: K9KMD, N9OK, KF9D, N9DJ and WB8BZK participated
ARRL 10-meter SSB/CW: K9KMD, N9OK, KF9D, N9DJ, W9NBG, WC9C and WB8BZK participated
Rookie Roundup CW: no participants
Straight Key Night: WB9ICF participated
ARRL RTTY Roundup: NT9E, K9KMD, N9OK with over 1,000 QSOs and WB8BZK participated
ARRL EME Contest: KD2RPE made two contacts
Upcoming:
NAQP CW – January 9-10
January VHF Contest – January 16-18
NAQP SSB – January 16-17
CQ Worldwide 160-meter CW – January 29-31
Winter Field Day – January 30-31
10-10 Intl. Winter Contest SSB – February 6-7
Upcoming MCWA Presentations
February 2 European SOTA & Friedrichshafen, Sevim Ablay WB8BHN
March 2 ARRL Update, Kermit Carlson, W9XA
April 6 RTTY Contesting using the Flex, NY7G Digital Engine and N3FJP, Dave Whaley, NT9E
May 4 Inexpensive Test Equipment for Hams, Part 3, Gary Kaatz, W9TD
Awards and license upgrades
No members reported any new awards.
Old Business
None
New Business
Ralph Iden (WB9ICF) started a discussion about this year’s Field Day. Ralph first wanted to confirm that MCWA will participate in Field Day this year since funds were already approved by the board, second, identify a volunteer to act as Chairperson and third, secure the Rush Creek site this week. Mike Metroka (WB8BZK) volunteered to be an assistant chair and to secure the site. Dan Larson (KD9M) volunteered to be the Chairperson. John Dewey (KA9CAR) volunteered to be a station captain. Kent Dulaney (K9KMD) volunteered to provide a generator.
Ralph is planning on piloting the “Hams Helping Hams” online Zoom sessions in January or February and will record them for reference by MCWA members. Topics that were suggested include DMR, weak signal modes, LOTW set-up and use and an ESP8266 take home kit deep dive. Ralph asked for volunteer presenters and additional topics. Angelo Fanzone (KD9QVW) suggested by email the NanoVNA as a topic.
Wrap up
Gary Kaatz (W9TD) will be presenting “Inexpensive Test Equipment for Hams, Part 2” following the adjournment of tonight’s meeting.
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, February 2, 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 John Cankar (W9JM) and seconded by John Dewey (KA9CAR). The motion was approved by voice vote and the meeting was adjourned at 7:47 PM.
Prepared by Gary Kaatz (W9TD), MCWA Secretary.