MCWA Meeting Minutes of December 6, 2022
Prior to tonight’s meeting, a pizza party was held in the Algonquin Township meeting room.
President Dan Larson (KD9M) called the December 2022 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) to order at 7:02 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Dave Holmgren (K9AT). Dan then asked everyone to introduce themselves.
Board members present were Kent Dulaney (K9KMD), Ralph Iden (WB9ICF), Gary Kaatz (W9TD), Dan Larson (KD9M), Mike Metroka (WB8BZK) and David Whiteside (N9BSA).
A total of 44 members were in attendance and 4 guests: Keith Schreiter (N9QDS), Warren Pugh (KC9IL), Bob Kieffer (K9FS) and Sue Sayles.
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the November 2022 meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) moved to accept the minutes and Ken Farver (KB9I) 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 October and November. MCWA has a membership of 127 full members including 8 family members and no Associate members.
October
| Opening Balance | $10,712.37 | |
| Deposits | $80.00 | ($40 dues and $40 donation) |
| Expenditures | $164.31- | (Flag – Mike Metroka (WB8BZK)) |
| $5.00- | (Digital Ocean) | |
| $35.00- | (POBox subscription) | |
| Interest | $0.10 | |
| Final Balance | $10,588.16 |
November
| Opening Balance | $10,588.16 | |
| Deposits | $331.90 | (Dues) |
| Expenditures | $1.53- | (Digital Ocean) |
| Interest | $0.09 | |
| Final Balance | $10,918.62 |
Dean reminded the membership to pay their 2023 dues by PayPal, check or cash tonight at the meeting. Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) moved to accept the treasurer’s report and Ken Farver (KB9I) seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the treasurer’s report was approved.
Announcements
The monthly McHenry Ham Breakfast is held the first Saturday of every month at Buddyz in McHenry at 8:00 AM. The latest was this past Sauruday, December 3. Contact Dave (NT9E) for more information.
Hamfest and Event Update
Past:
Friendly Fest: no reports
Fort Wayne Hamfest & Computer Expo: no reports
Upcoming:
WCRA Mid-Winter Hamfest, January 15, 2023, St. Charles, IL
ORC 43rd Annual Spring Indoor Swapfest, May 6, Cedarburg, WI
DeKalb Hamfest, May 7, Sandwich, IL
Starved Rock Radio Club Hamfest, June 4, Mendota Tri-County Fairgrounds
Midwest Superfest, September 16-17, Chillicothe, IL
Contest Reports
ARRL Sweepstakes (CW): W9TD participated with 83 of 84 sections
WAE DX Contest (RTTY): NT9E and WB8BZK participated
4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint: no reports
10-10 Intl Fall Contest (Digital): no reports
ARRL Sweepstakes (SSB): no reports
Run for the Bacon QRP Contest: no reports
SKCC Sprint: no reports
CQ WW DX Contest (CW): W9TD participated
160 Meter Contest (CW) December 2-4: KF9D and WB8BZK participated. Mike reported 475 QSO’s
FT Roundup December 3-4: KC9GPY participated
MCWA Field Day Report
5th place overall 2A
1st place 2A Central Division
Highest score ever: 9278 for 2118 QSOs
A special thank you went out to the Station Captains, Cook, Site Manager, Greeter & Trainer, setup & teardown team, all operators and visitors and everyone who operated as a Delta station. We also thanked Dan for being the Field Day Chairman.
Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) reported on the 415’s Field Day, highlighting Fun and Food. He also noted that Winter Field Day is coming up on January 28-29.
Upcoming MCWA Presentations
January 3, 2023 QSL’ing, by John Cankar (W9JM)
Awards and license upgrades
Sean Park (KD9VWL) reported that he upgraded to General.
Old Business
None
New Business
None, but Kent Dulaney (K9KMD) mentioned that he saw several members not wearing name badges tonight and noted that Ken Farver (KB9I) was taking orders for them tonight and on the MCWA website.
Wrap up
Following the adjournment of tonight’s meeting, we will be having a QRP Showcase and Show & Tell by MCWA members. Dan solicited more presentations from the membership.
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, January 3, 2023 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 “QSL’ing” by John Cankar (W9JM). A motion to adjourn was made by John Kalenowsky (K9JK) and seconded by Dean Hettel (WC9C). The motion was approved by voice vote and the meeting was adjourned at 7:36 PM.
Prepared by Gary Kaatz (W9TD), MCWA Secretary.