MCWA Meeting Minutes of March 7, 2023
President Dan Larson (KD9M) called the March 2023 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) to order at 7:00 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Dave Holmgren (K9AT). Dan asked for a minute of silence for two silent keys; Kent Berglund (KC9LIF) and Brian Wadsworth (WB9MCW). He then welcomed new members Ron Rogers (KC0ZN), Kris Rogers (N0EJK) and Ryan Broussard (KD9WPY). Dan then asked everyone to introduce themselves.
Board members present were Kent Dulaney (K9KMD), Dean Hettel (WC9C), Ralph Iden (WB9ICF), Gary Kaatz (W9TD), Dan Larson (KD9M) and Mike Metroka (WB8BZK).
A total of 37 members were in attendance and three guests, our presenters for tonight’s meeting, Carl Luetzelschwab (K9LA), Brent Walls (N9BA) and Tom Beebe (W9RY).
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the February 2023 meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. John Cankar (W9JM) moved to accept the minutes and Kent Dulaney (K9KMD) 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 December. MCWA has a membership of 141 full members including 12 family members and no Associate members.
| Opening Balance | $10,966.15 | |
| Deposits | $109.70 | (Dues) |
| Expenditures | $6.53- | (Digital Ocean) |
| Interest | $0.08 | |
| Final Balance | $11,069.40 |
Dean reminded the membership to pay their 2023 dues by PayPal, check or cash tonight at the meeting. Dave Holmgren (K9AT) moved to accept the treasurer’s report and Ron Delpiere-Smith (KD9IPO) seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the treasurer’s report was approved.
Announcements
Joe Witkens (KD9KTA) announced that Dave Whaley (NT9E) has been in the McHenry hospital for some time with several ailments. He has been moved to the Alden Recovery Center.
The monthly McHenry Ham Breakfast is held the first Saturday of every month at Buddyz in McHenry at 8:00 AM, in a private room. Contact Dave (K9AT) for more information.
The Bouvet Island (3Y0J) DXpedition is over. Of our members, only Roger Scott (KF9D) managed to snag a CW contact.
Seth McCallister (KD9TAW) will be operating from the British Virgin Islands as VP2V/KD9TAW from April 7-16.
There have been rule changes for the upcoming 2023 Field Day. There is no limit to the number of contacts made by the GOTA station and they all count 5 points. If the operator is under 18 years old, there is a 20 point bonus. There is a 100 point bonus for every 10 assisted QSO’s. There will be three power levels, classes A, B and C have a maximum of 500 Watts (PEP), classes D, E and F have a maximum of 100 Watts (PEP) and QRP at 5 Watts CW and 10 Watts SSB (PEP).
Ralph Iden (WB9ICF) spoke about participation in the upcoming Lake County Maker Faire on April 15th. He will be offering a 40-meter direct conversion kit for purchase by the attendees.
John Cankar (W9JM) will be presenting information and a request for volunteers for the Trek 100 being held June 10, 2023, after tonight’s presentation. Rob Orr (K9RST) will also be presenting another volunteer opportunity for the Chicago Marathon.
Hamfest and Event Update
Past:
No recent Hamfests.
Upcoming:
Jefferson Hamfest 2023, March 19, Jefferson, WI
Sterling Rock Falls ARS Hamfest, March 19, Dixon, IL
Madison Area Repeater Assn Hamfest, April 15, Stoughton, WI
ORC 43rd Annual Spring Indoor Swapfest, May 6, Cedarburg, WI
DeKalb Hamfest, May 7, Sandwich, IL
Hamvention 2023, May 19-21, Greene County Fair & Expo Center, Xenia, OH
Starved Rock Radio Club Hamfest, June 4, Mendota Tri-County Fairgrounds
Six Meter Club of Chicago Hamfest, June 11, DuPage County Fairgrounds
Ron (KD9IPO) and John (K9JK) have advance tickets
Midwest Superfest, September 16-17, Chillicothe, IL
Contest Reports
CQ WW RTTY WPX Contest: WB8BZK and W9TD participated
ARRL School Club Roundup: no reports
ARRL International DX Contest (CW): WB8BZK and W9TD participated
CQ 160-Meter Contest (SSB): WB8BZK participated
North American QSO Party (RTTY): WB8BZK and W9TD participated
ARRL International DX Contest (SSB): WB8BZK, K9JK and W9TD participated
Upcoming:
QRP Fox Hunts (CW), Wednesdays and Fridays
NCCC RTTY Sprints, Fridays
North American RTTY Sprint, March 11-12
Stew Perry Topband Challenge, March 11-12
Idaho and Oklahoma QSO Parties, March 11-12
Wisconsin QSO Party, March 12-13
CQ Worldwide WPX Contest (SSB), March 25-26
Upcoming MCWA Presentations
April 4, Vertical antennas or W9LRG Remote Shack
Awards and license upgrades
Bob Temes (KD9IDD) upgraded to General. Andrew White got a new call sign, K9AJW.
Old Business
Dan reminded everyone that Field Day will be June 24-25 at Rush Creek and planning has started. The next planning meeting will be held with Zoom on March 21 at 8 PM. Everyone with ideas should email them to Dan at KD9M@Yahoo.com
New Business
None
Wrap up
Following the adjournment of tonight’s meeting, Carl Luetzelschwab (K9LA), Brent Walls (N9BA) and Tom Beebe (W9RY) will be presenting the “ARRL Update”. Dan solicited more presentations from the membership.
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, April 4, 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 will be either Vertical Antennas or W9LRG Remote Shack. A motion to adjourn was made by Dean Hettel (WC9C) and seconded by John Kalenowsky (K9JK). The motion was approved by voice vote and the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 PM.
Prepared by Gary Kaatz (W9TD), MCWA Secretary.