MCWA Meeting Minutes of October 4, 2022
President Ralph Iden (WB9ICF) called the October 2022 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) to order at 7:01 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Dave Holmgren (K9AT). Ralph informed everyone that at the Portillo’s pre-meeting event; Jack Hudson (W9MU) had a medical event and was taken to the hospital. Subsequently he was released and is resting at home. Ralph welcomed new member Andrew White (KD9VUT). Ralph then asked everyone to introduce themselves. Ralph thanked the prior board members and noted some of the accomplishments of his tenure, then introduced incoming President Dan Larson (KD9M). Dan thanked Kent Dulaney (K9KMD) and Mike Metroka (WB8BZK) for stepping up to Director and Vice President, respectively. He also thanked Ralph for his service to the club.
Board members present were Kent Dulaney (K9KMD), Dean Hettel (WC9C), Ralph Iden (WB9ICF), Gary Kaatz (W9TD), Dan Larson (KD9M), Mike Metroka (WB8BZK) and David Whiteside (N9BSA).
A total of 39 members were in attendance and 2 guests, including our speaker for tonight, Anthony Luscre (K8ZT) and Keith Schreiter (N9QDS).
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the September 2022 meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. David Whiteside (N9BSA) moved to accept the minutes and John Cankar (W9JM) seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.
Membership and Financial Reports
Treasurer Dean Hettel (WC9C) presented the membership and financial reports for August. MCWA has a membership of 127 full members including 8 family members and no Associate members.
| Opening Balance | $11,134.49 | |
| Deposits | $396.00 | ($30 dues and $366 donation) |
| Expenditures | $663.31- | (Field Day food – Wendell (N9REP)) |
| $5.00- | (Digital Ocean fee for automatic payments) | |
| $149.90- | (Zoom renewal through 9-26-2023) | |
| Interest | $0.09 | |
| Final Balance | $10,712.37 |
Dean thanked W9GD, KC9GPY, WB9ICF and KA9CAR for their assistance in selling donated items at Radio Expo. Dean reminded the membership to pay their 2023 dues by PayPal, check or cash tonight at the meeting. John Kalenowsky (K9JK) moved to accept the treasurer’s report and Kent Dulaney (K9KMD) seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the treasurer’s report was approved.
Announcements
The Chicago Marathon will be on October 9th. Contact Rob Orr (K9RST@arrl.net) to volunteer. The last day to volunteer is Friday, October 7.
There are some items donated by Larry Miglore (KB9DIP) that are looking for a good home (free) and are on the side table.
Ron Delpiere-Smith (KD9IPO), our ARRL Illinois Assistant Section Manager, needs help for a Scout Camporee at the McHenry County Fairgrounds on October 8. A Ham radio table needs to be set up and staffed. David Whiteside (N9BSA) noted that it is not for a local scout district council. Any volunteers need to be youth certified.
The annual MCWA Board of Directors meeting will be on Tuesday, October 18 at 6:30PM using Zoom. It is open to all members.
Hamfest and Event Update
PAST
W9DXCC Convention: no reports
Midwest Superfest: no reports
QSO Today Virtual Ham Radio Expo: no reports
HRO Superfest: Several members attended. K9AT noted that RT Systems now support the Anytone DMR radios.
Radio Expo: KC9GPY noted that all items donated to the 415 were sold. K9AT, W9GD, KA9CAR and WB9ICF also attended.
UPCOMING
Friendly Fest, November 5, Elks Lodge, Milwaukee
Contest Reports
Rt. 66 special event: no reports
Worked All Europe DX Contest: no reports
ARRL September VHF Contest: K9JK participated
Wisconsin Parks on the Air: no reports
ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest: K9JK participated
144 MHz Fall Sprint: K9JK participated
CQ Worldwide DX Contest (RTTY): no reports
Oceania DX Contest (SSB): no reports
Upcoming:
432 MHz Fall Sprint, October 5
Microwave Fall Sprint, October 8
Makrothen RTTY Contest, October 8-9
Oceania DX Contest (CW), October 8-9
10-10 International Fall Contest (CW), October 15-16
Illinois QSO Party, October 16-17
ARRL School Club Roundup, October 17-21
Stew Perry Topband Challenge, October 22-23
CQ Worldwide DX Contest (SSB), October 29-30
Dan also noted, in the spirit of the presentation for tonight, that there are several CW mini-contests, each lasting one hour.
K1USN Slow Speed Test (SST) (<20 WPM): Fridays and Sundays
International CW Council Medium Speed Test (MST) (20-25 WPM): three times on Mondays
CWops Test (CWT) (>25 WPM): three times on Wednesdays
Upcoming MCWA Presentations
November 1 Working the Pileup – Ron Delpiere-Smith (KD9IPO)
December 6 TBD
January 3, 2023 TBD
Awards and license upgrades
None reported.
Old Business
None
New Business
Mike Metroka (WB8BZK) made a motion that the club spend at most $300 on a new flag and stand to be gifted to the Algonquin Township for use at our meetings. The motion was seconded by Gary Dembski (W9GD) and was approved unanimously.
Wrap up
Anthony Luscre (K8ZT) will be presenting “Having Fun with Morse Code”, following the adjournment of tonight’s meeting. Dan solicited more presentations from the membership.
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, November 1, 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 “Working the Pileup” by Ron Delpiere-Smith (KD9IPO)
A motion to adjourn was made by Kent Dulaney (K9KMD) and seconded by Dave Whaley (NT9E). The motion was approved by voice vote and the meeting was adjourned at 7:49 PM.
Prepared by Gary Kaatz (W9TD), MCWA Secretary.