MCWA Meeting Minutes of January 2nd 2024
President Dan Larson (KD9M) called the January 2024 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) to order at 6:59 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Dave Holmgren (K9AT).
Board members present were: Secretary – Andrew White (K9AJW), Treasurer – Bob Temes (KD9IDD), President – Dan Larson (KD9M), Past President – Ralph Iden (WB9ICF).
A total of 42 members were in attendance and 4 guests:
Guests in attendance: Josh (No Call), Steve Jordan(No Call), and Gay Stomberg (No Call) and Ted London(No Call), Neil (New Member, No Call)
Awards and license upgrades
None.
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the December 2023 meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. John Kalenowsky (K9JK) moved to accept the minutes and Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.
Membership and Financial Reports
Bob Temes (KD9IDD) presented the membership and financial reports for September. MCWA has a membership of 142 full members including 11 family members and no Associate members.
| Opening Balance | $10,890.82 | 2023-12-1 |
| Deposits | $219.70 | (Dues) |
| Expenditures | $200.03 | (DigitalOcean, Social) |
| Interest | $0.08 | 2023-12-30 |
| Final Balance | $10,910.57 | 2023-12-31 |
Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) moved to accept the treasurer’s report and Ken Lundgreen (KD9PPX) seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the treasurer’s report was approved.
Old Business
The Board is setting a meeting with an accountant for advice and help on our investment options. Meeting date TBD.
New Updates from Membership
Dan Larson (KD9M) has been playing with a new screwdriver antenna and is looing at ways to automate the screwdriver tuner.
Congrats to Bob Temes (KD9IDD) for his 3rd place finish in Illinois for the yearlong VOTA contest. He missed a clean sweep of the US by 4 entities. His overall rank was 112 out of about 69,000 people. He was 65th in the US.
John Kalenowsky (K9JK) mentioned that he saw several club member calls among the VOTA leaderboard this year and wanted to thank the club for the high level of participation. John also mentioned that we ranked 3rd in the Illinois QSO party and that we hope to do better as a club next year.
Please reach out to John Cankar (W9JM) to schedule a time to operate on Winter Field Day. His e-mail is pinned to the top of both The 415 and The MCWA reflectors.
Hamfests
| WCRA 2024 Mid-Winter Hamfest Kane County Fair Grounds, St. Charles, IL |
1/14/2024 |
| Starved Rock Radio Club Hamfest Mendota, IL |
6/2/2024 |
| Midwest Superfest Milwaukee, WI |
9/22-9/23/2024 |
| Radio Expo Chillicothe, IL |
9/21-9/22/2024 |
Contests and Activities
| Kids Day | Jan 7 |
| RTTY Roundup | Jan 7-8 |
| North American QSO Party, CW | Jan 13-14 |
| North American QSO Party, SSB | Jan 20-21 |
| January VHF | Jan 21-23 |
| CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW | Jan 26-28 |
| BARTG RTTY Sprint | Jan 27-28 |
| Winter Field Day | Jan 27-28 |
Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) spoke up inviting everyone to Gary’s Farm on Jan 27th and 28th 1pm to 1pm for Winter Field Day. Setup will be on Friday for anyone interested. Everyone is invited whether you have a license or not. They will have a CW and a Phone station in operation. There will be lots of good food (Sloppy Joes and Chili). Glenn and Angelo will be there working satellites. Gary Dembski (W9GD) seconded Sam’s comments and invited everyone over to his farm to operate on Winter Field Day.
New Business
The Board proposes a Pizza Social on March 5th, 2024, instead of a club program. The Board estimates the cost up to $500 and asks the membership to approve a motion to set aside $500 for the Pizza Social.
John Kalenowsky (K9JK) made the motion and Sam Haldiman(KC9GPY) seconded. Upon hearing no objections, the motion was approved.
Wrap up
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, February 6, 2024 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 Sevim Ablay (WB8BHN) will be presenting on SOTA and his European Trip.
Tonight’s presentation is An Introduction to Modulation by Mike Dusa (W9MJD)
Gary Kaatz (W9TD) motioned to adjourn, and Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:28 PM.
Prepared by Andrew White (K9AJW), MCWA Secretary.