MCWA Meeting Minutes of May 4, 2021
President Ralph Iden (WB9ICF) called the May 2021 meeting to order at 7:01 PM by Zoom meetings. The Pledge of Allegiance followed led by Dave Holmgren (K9AT). Ralph noted that the meeting would be recorded.
Board members present were Gary Dembski (W9GD), Dean Hettel (WC9C), Ralph Iden (WB9ICF), Gary Kaatz (W9TD), Dan Larson (KD9M) and Mike Metroka (WB8BZK).
A total of 34 members were in attendance and no guests.
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the April 2021 meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Harold Burt (W9HB) motioned to approve the minutes with Dave Whaley (NT9E) 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 April. MCWA has a membership of 115 full members, 7 family members and 1 associate member for a total of 123.
| Opening Balance | $7,389.94 | |
| Deposits | $30.00 | (dues) |
| Expenditures | $22.00- | (DigitalOcean 3 mo. website hosting) |
| $12.00- | (MCWA.org domain renewal) | |
| Interest | $0.06 | |
| Final Balance | $7,386.00 |
A motion to approve the financial report was made by Mike Pecorini (K2MRP) with a second by Dan Larson (KD9M). The motion was approved by voice vote.
Announcements
None
Hamfest and Event Update
PAST
KARC DeKalb Hamfest : Reported as attending: N9OK, K9OK, K9AT, W9GD, WC9C, W9JM and KD9FMJ.
UPCOMING
Starved Rock June 6 (8 AM – 3 PM), Mendota Fairgrounds, Tickets $7/$8 at the gate
WI9SM 2021 Swapfest July 10 (6:30 AM – ?), American Legion Post 434, Oak Creek, WI, Tickets $5
W9AA Hamfesters August 1, Will County Fairgrounds, Peotone, IL
W9DXCC Convention September 10/11, Chicago Marriott, Naperville, IL
KARS-Fest July 18 at the Will county fairgrounds in Peotone
MARC Swapfest in August
Contest Reports
FT8 DX Contest: No reports
222 MHz Spring Sprint: Mike (WB9BZK) operated FM only and made 24 contacts; John (K9JK) also reported participating
ARRL Rookie Roundup: No reports
432 MHz Spring Sprint: John (K9JK) reported participating
10-10 Intl Spring Contest: No reports
10-10 Intl Spring Contest: No reports
Indiana QSO Party: Mike (WB9BZK) made 100 contacts
Microwave Spring Sprint: John (K9JK) reported 2 contacts on 47GHz and 2 contacts on 10 GHz
Upcoming:
50 MHz Spring Sprint – May 8-9
VOLTA WW RTTY Contest – May 8-9
CQ WW WPX Contest – CW – May 29-30
Upcoming MCWA Presentations
June 1 RTTY Contesting using the Flex, NY7G Digital Engine and N3FJP, Dave Whaley, NT9E
July 6 Lightning Protection for Amateur Radio Stations, Lloyd Berg, N9LB
Awards and license upgrades
None reported
Old Business
2021 MCWA Field Day will be June 25-27 at Rush Creek. Dan Larson (KD9M) presented the current state of planning from the April 29th meeting. We will be class 2A (two HF stations) with VHF and a GOTA station. If you want to participate, contact one or more of the station captains: GOTA (KA9CAR), CW (KF9D), SSB/digital (KD9M) or VHF (WB8BZK). There will be an alternate field day like last year where home stations can aggregate their scores for the club. Please submit your scores with “McHenry County Wireless Association” as club name, exactly.
The Lake County Maker Faire was held virtually on April 17 and Ralph acknowledged the members who helped make it possible: Bill Wacaser (KD9WEW), Dan Larson (KD9M), Dave Holmgren (K9AT), Doug Tcker (KD9PQI), Gary Dembski (W9GD), Jen Van Zieleghem (KD9FMJ) and of course Ralph Iden (WB9ICF). Mike Metroka (WB9BZK) thought it was very well done. Harold Burt (W9HB) suggested adding a link to the YouTube video on the MCWA website.
The McHenry County Century Bike Run will be held on Sunday, May 30 from 6:30 AM until around 3 PM. Wendell Smith (N9REP) has been in touch with the organizers and is looking for volunteers to assist in the event. To volunteer, contact Wendell at n9rep@arrl.net.
Ralph asked for a volunteer to help coordinate interests and schedule sessions for “Hams Helping Hams”.
Pierre Berube (K9EYE) asked if a new meeting site has been chosen. Ralph said the search was still under way.
New Business
None
Wrap up
Gary Kaatz (W9TD) will be presenting the third installment of “Inexpensive Test Equipment for Hams” following the adjournment of tonight’s meeting.
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, June 1, 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 Mike Pecorini (K2MRP) and seconded by Andy Dyckman (KC9UTB). The motion was approved by voice vote and the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM.
Prepared by Gary Kaatz (W9TD), MCWA Secretary.