MCWA Meeting Minutes of October 3, 2023
President Dan Larson (KD9M) called the October 2023 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) to order at 7:00 PM. Dan noted that the program may be recorded. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY). Dan welcomed a new member to MCWA, Kevin Potter (KD9YYO).
Board members present were: Secretary – Andrew White (K9AJW), Treasurer – Bob Temes (KD9IDD), Vice President – Wendell Smith (N9REP), President – Dan Larson (KD9M) and Past-President – Ralph Iden (WB9ICF).
Dan (KD9M) thanked the outgoing board for their hard work and dedication to MCWA. He also introduced the new board:
Vice President – Wendell Smith (N9REP)
President – Dan Larson (KD9M)
Secretary – Andrew White (K9AJW)
Treasurer – Bob Temes (KD9IDD)
Director – Glenn Otto (K9OK)
Director – Kent Dulaney (K9KMD)
Past-President – Ralph Iden (WB9ICF)
A total of 41 members were in attendance and 2 guests: Ken Neilsen and Kelly Bochniak (KD9YHT) (New Member).
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the September 2023 meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. John Cankar (W9JM) moved to approve the minutes and David Whiteside (N9BSA) seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.
Membership and Financial Reports
Past-Treasurer Dean Hettel (WC9C) presented the membership and financial reports for September. MCWA has a membership of 140 full members including 11 family members and no Associate members.
| Opening Balance | $11,483.86 | |
| Deposits | $135.00 | (Dues) |
| Expenditures | $880.08- | ($6.53 Digital Ocean, $661.77 Field Day, $61.88 4th Anniversary Expeneses, 149.90 Zoom Renewal) |
| Interest | $0.09 | |
| Final Balance | $10,738.69 |
Dean reminded the membership to pay their 2023 dues by PayPal, check or cash tonight at the meeting. John Dewey (KA9CAR) moved to accept the treasurer’s report and Roger Scott (KF9D) 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 next one will be October 7th. Contact Dave Holmgren (K9AT) for more information.
Hamfest and Event Update
Past:
ORC Annual Regional Fall Swapfest: No reports.
Midwest Superfest: Sean Park (K9SJP) attended the fest and said it was well attended.
HRO Milwaukee Superfest and ARRL Central Division Convention: Dave Peterson (KD9VEJ) reported that there were many radio deals to be had. He spoke about a “Ham Radio Bootcamp” and suggested that the club put on such a program for new hams.
Radio Expo: No reports.
Upcoming:
Friendly Fest, November 4th, Milwaukee, WI
Contest Reports
ARRL September VHF: Wendell Smith (N9REP) had a 6m loop up in the air and a 2m vertical. There was not much voice activity and he had a total of 12 contacts during the contest.
CQ Worldwide Teletype Contest: Gary Kaatz (W9TD) mentioned that he participated in this contest.
Route 66 on the Air Special Event: Gary Kaatz (W9TD) and Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) had clean sweeps during the special event.
ARRL EME – 2.3 GHz & Up: No reports.
WAE DX Contest – SSB: No reports.
ARRL 10 GHz & Up: John Kalenowsky (K9JK) made a 10GHz contact from the roof of the parking garage and had 100+ contacts in total.
Wisconsin Parks on the Air: No reports.
North American Sprint: No reports.
CQ WW DX Contest: No reports.
ARRL VOTA: Bob Temes (KD9IDD) is ranked 3rd in Illinois and asks for everyone’s help in making contacts to increase his score. You can contact him once per day and both parties will get points through the VOTA program. With help from MCWA, Bob hopes to break through into the top 2 in the state.
Upcoming:
ARRL/LIMARC October School Club Roundup, October 16-20
Illinois QSO Party, October 22: Roger Scott (KF9D) gave an overview of the upcoming Illinois QSO Party on October 22, 2023. More information can be found at https://w9awe.org/ilqp
International EME Contest, October 28-29
November CW Sweepstakes, November 4-6
November Phone Sweepstakes, November 18-20
VOTA, all year long
Upcoming MCWA Presentations
November 7 – Pico Balloons and Youth in Ham Radio by the Northern Illinois Bottlecap Balloon Brigade
Awards and license upgrades
Gil Etheridge (KD9YUN) received his vanity call, WW9GIL
Old Business
No old business.
New Business
Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) reminded everyone that Winter Field Day is Jan 27th and 28th and requests that everyone add to their calendar. The 415 will be doing operations out at Gary Dembski’s (W9GD) farm and encourages everyone to stop by.
Keith Schreiter (N9QDS) discussed Canadian Trading Consortium’s proposed usage of the HF spectrum and the impact on Chicago area amateurs on the following frequencies: 7510, 10306, 14592, 16301, 18190, 18322, 19230, 20152, 23861. More info is available on www.eibispace.de. He suggests keeping an eye on these frequencies to make sure that the transmissions do not cause interference to local hams. He also reminded us that the United States Emergency Alert System tests are scheduled to occur tomorrow at 1:20 PM Central.
John Dewey(KA9CAR) asks if there are other club members from Algonquin Township that can renew the room contract for next year in case he is not available to make the renewal. A few other members were identified as Algonquin Township residents that can renew the room, if needed.
Wrap up
The MCWA Annual Board Meeting will take place on October 12th at 6:30 PM at Nick’s Pizza in Crystal Lake. Members are encouraged to attend, but should contact Dan Larson (KD9M) to let him know you are coming.
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, November 7, 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 “Pico Balloons and Youth in Ham Radio.”
Mike Metroka (WB8BZK) will present our program tonight on his Canadian VHF Adventures.
Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) motioned to adjourn and the meeting was adjourned at 7:59 PM.
Prepared by Andrew White (K9AJW), MCWA Secretary.