MCWA Meeting Minutes of June 7, 2022
President Ralph Iden (WB9ICF) called the June 2022 meeting to order at 7:01 PM via Zoom. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Glenn Otto (K9OK). Ralph then welcomed new and returning members Tom Damiano (KB9PN), Willard Jenkins (KD9PRK) and Ken Field (KO9H).
Board members present were Gary Dembski (W9GD), Dean Hettel (WC9C), Ralph Iden (WB9ICF), Gary Kaatz (W9TD) and Dan Larson (KD9M).
A total of 29 members were in attendance and no guests.
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the May 2022 meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.
Membership and Financial Reports
Treasurer Dean Hettel (WC9C) presented the membership and financial reports for December. MCWA has a membership of 117 full members including 6 family members and no Associate members.
| Opening Balance | $11,254.02 | |
| Deposits | $80.00 | ($60 dues and $20 donation) |
| Expenditures | $0.00- | |
| Interest | $0.10 | |
| Final Balance | $11,334.12 |
Dean reminded the membership to pay their 2022 dues by PayPal, check or cash tonight at the meeting. Those that haven’t yet paid have been dropped from the roster. Hearing no objections, the treasurer’s report was approved.
Announcements
The web hosting company, Digital Ocean, has notified us of a price increase effective August 1.
The quarterly VE testing session was held on May 17th and resulted in one new Technician licensee. The next VE testing session will be held on August 16 at 7 PM by appointment only. It will be held at the Woodstock Free Methodist Church at 934 N. Seminary. Contact Steve (KB9OLD) at 847-477-3518 to reserve your spot.
The McHenry County Century Ride was held on Sunday, May 29. Wendell Smith (N9REP) coordinated the effort which involved amateurs from around the area. Those that participated included Roger Scott (KF9D), Harold Burt (W9HB) and John Dewey (KA9CAR). There were between 400 and 500 riders.
The Trek 100 Ride for Hope is coming up on Saturday July 30 in Waterloo, WI. It is a charity event benefitting the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer (MACC). Several clubs will be participating, including MCWA. For more information, contact John Cankar (W9JM) – N9GUU@hotmail.com.
The July meeting program will be a QRP Showcase and Show-and-Tell. If you have anything to share, plan on no more than 5-6 minutes due to time constraints. A signup sheet will be posted on the reflector this coming week to gauge how many people will be showing off their QRP gear and other items.
Hamfest and Event Update
PAST
Dayton Hamvention 2022, May 20-22, 2022: The subject of our program for tonight.
Starved Rock Radio Club Hamfest, June 5: no reports
UPCOMING
Lyons “Freefest”, June 11, Riverside Park, Lyons, WI
South Milwaukee ARC Hamfest, July 9, American Legion Post 434, Oak Creek, WI
KARSFEST, July 17, Will County Fairgrounds, Peotone, IL
Contest Reports
Microwave Spring Sprint: K9JK participated
Indiana QSO Party: no reports
50 MHz Spring Sprint: K9JK participated
VOLTA WW RTTY Contest: no reports
CQ WW WPX Contest (CW): N9DJ participated
ARRL International Digital Contest: W9TD participated
Upcoming:
ARRL June VHF Contest – June 11-13
Stew Perry Topband Challenge – June 18-19
ARRL Field Day – June 25-26
Thirteen Colonies – July 1-7
Upcoming MCWA Presentations
July 5 QRP Showcase & Show-and-Tell
August 2 Propagation and Amateur Radio
Carl Luetzelschwab (K9LA)
September 6 Small Antennas for HF
Jack Hudson (W9MU)
October 4 Youth in Amateur Radio
Anthony Luscre (K8ZT)
November 1 Working the Pileup
Ron Delpiere-Smith (KD9IPO)
December 6 TBD
Awards and license upgrades
Michael Holtz (KD9VDW) received his General class license.
Old Business
President Ralph Iden (WB9ICF) reported that the $246.90 of expenses for the Makers Faire will be paid from the outreach budget already approved. He also said that the organizers have already contacted him about our participation next year, on April 15, 2023.
Dan Larson (KD9M) reported on the 2022 Field Day planning meeting held on May 17. This year Field Day is on June 24-26. We have the Rush Creek campground reserved for Saturday night and all are invited. There is a need for operators for SSB/Digital and if you are a new ham or have not operated on HF, the GOTA station. Contact Gary Kaatz (W9TD) if you want to be scheduled for GOTA, or just show up. If you can’t participate in the in-person event, then get on the air individually and report under the McHenry County Wireless Association. If required, the next meeting will be in the week of Field Day using Zoom.
New Business
None
Wrap up
“A Hamvention Recap – Past and Present/ Voice of America Museum” will be presented following the adjournment of tonight’s meeting.
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at the Algonquin Township meeting room. Open “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM. The program is a QRP Showcase and Show-and-Tell.
A motion to adjourn was made by Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) and seconded by John Cankar (W9JM). The motion was approved by voice vote and the meeting was adjourned at 7:31 PM.
Prepared by Gary Kaatz (W9TD), MCWA Secretary.