MCWA Meeting Minutes of March 5th 2024
President Dan Larson (KD9M) called the March 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: Director – Glenn Otto (K9OK), Secretary – Andrew White (K9AJW), Treasurer – Bob Temes (KD9IDD), Vice President – Wendell Smith (N9REP), President – Dan Larson (KD9M), and Past President – Ralph Iden (WB9ICF).
A total of 42 members (8 on Zoom) were in attendance and 6 guests:
Sue Sayles No Call
Becky Fanzone No Call
Rich Merle No Call
Mark Thomas N9UM
Joe Bappert KD9ZVZ
Matthew Zavaleta KZ4EH
Awards and license upgrades
None.
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the February 2024 meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) moved to accept the minutes and Bob Temes (KD9IDD) 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 147 members including 11 family members and 1 associate member.
| Opening Balance | $11,436.04 | 2024-2-1 |
| Deposits/Interest/Credits | $270.10 | (Dues) |
| Expenditures | $79.03 | (Digital Ocean, Coffee) |
| Final Balance | $11,627.11 | 2024-2-29 |
John Kalenowsky (K9JK) moved to accept the treasurer’s report and Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the treasurer’s report was approved.
Old Business
We still need volunteers to look over our books in April for the Treasurer’s Audit. We need 3 members to see Bob Temes (KD9IDD) to help out.
New Business
The club is looking to donate several of ARRL’s Library Book Sets to local libraries. The cost is $250/set and includes the ARRL’s most popular publications. John Dewey (KA9CAR) is leading the communication efforts with the local libraries to make sure the books will be used and not donated or scrapped. John (KA9CAR) made the motion to approve the expense if the library accepts. Keith Schreiter (N9QDS) seconded the motion. A vote was taken, and the motion passed.
John Cankar (W9JM) is asking for help from local amateurs with this year’s Trek 100. He is looking for 33 ham radio operators to provide communications for the event. The event is held Saturday, June 8th, 2024, at the Trek Bicycle corporate headquarters in Waterloo, WI. Please see John if you would like to learn more about this wonderful opportunity.
New Updates from Membership
Erich Kraemer (KC9CUK) started a Discord server for Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. It’s open to everyone and the idea is to bring the community together as a whole. If anyone has any questions, please reach out directly to Erich.
Lyle Giese (W9LRG) was talking about station grounding. He looked at the grounds at the basement on his water meter and found his ground clamp was broken and the pipe was very corroded. He replaced both clamps and cleaned up the braid on his ground wire. He suggests everyone check their ground connections at their home.
Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) reminds everyone that June 22nd and 23rd is Field Day. Please put it on your calendar and plan on joining The 415 at Gary’s farm.
Hamfests
| Sterling Rock Falls AR Society Hamfest Dixon, IL |
3/17/2024 |
| Tri-county WI Hamfest Jefferson, WI |
3/17/2024 |
| Madison Hamfest Stoughton, WI |
3/11/2024 |
| Hannibal Amateur Radio Club Palmyra, MO |
5/4/2024 |
| Kishwaukee ARC Sandwich, IL |
5/5/2024 |
Contests and Activities
| ARRL International DX Contest, SSB | March 2 – 3 |
| Stew Perry Topband Challenge | March 9 – 10 |
| Wisconsin QSO Party | March 10 – 11 |
| CQ WW WPX Contest, SSB | March 30 – 31 |
| 144 MHz Spring Sprint | April 1 |
Wrap up
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024 at the Algonquin Township meeting room. Open “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM. Formal program is TBD.
Tonight’s presentation will be done by Seth McCallister(KD9TAW) where he will talk about his DXpedition to the British Virgin Islands.
Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) motioned to adjourn, and Dave Whaley (N9TE) seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 PM.
Prepared by Andrew White (K9AJW), MCWA Secretary.