MCWA Meeting Minutes of August 6th, 2024
Vice President Wendell Smith (N9REP) called the August 2024 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) to order at 7:00 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Dave Holmgren (K9AT).
Board members present were: Director – Glenn Otto (K9OK), Secretary – Andrew White (K9AJW), Vice President – Wendell Smith (N9REP), and Past President – Ralph Iden (WB9ICF).
There were 40 members in attendance with 2 guests.
Awards and license upgrades
None.
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the July 2024 meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Erich Kraemer (KC9CUK) moved to accept the minutes and Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.
Membership and Financial Reports
Wendell Smith (N9REP) presented the membership and financial reports for September. MCWA has a membership of 146 members including 12 family members and 2 associate members.
Opening Balance $11,025.60 2024-7-1
Deposits/Interest/Credits $20.10 (Dues, Credits and Interest)
Expenditures $364.97 (DigitalOcean, Field Day Expenses)
Final Balance $10,680.73 2024-7-31
John Cankar (W9JM) moved to accept the treasurer’s report and Roger Scott (KF9D) seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the treasurer’s report was approved.
Old Business
None.
New Business
New Updates from Membership
Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) mentioned The 415 now has a website: http://www.the415ARC.com Please check it out if you get a chance.
Ralph Iden (WB9ICF) brought his tape measure yagi and presented on its uses for fox hunting. What is a fox hunt? It’s a fun activity for clubs and young people. It’s family friendly and requires very little expertise to enjoy. Besides being a lot of fun, it has practical uses as well. Fox hunting can be used to tune your skills in tracking down transmitters and other sources of interference, whether intentional or unintentional. In the May 2021 MCWA meeting, Pete (K9PW) did a great presentation on fox hunting. A group buy of the VK3YNG Sniffers was placed and several members own them. We would like to put these to use with an introductory fox hunt.
Based on the success of our recent POTA gathering, Ralph and John (K9JK) would like to organize a fox hunt for anyone interested. What is needed to participate:
-2m radio receiver that can pick up the fox’s transmission
-An attenuator (if not built in) to help corner the fox when you get near
-A directional antenna
-A desire to have fun with your fellow hams
If you want to build your own antenna, you can build a 3-element beam for well under $20 or less if you already have some of the parts.
-12’ steel tape measure
-3’ piece of 1/2” PVC pipe
-PVC end caps
-3D printed boom mounts
-3D printed handle mount
-18” RG-174 cable with BNC or SMA if using an HT
-#4 ½” sheet metal screws
If you’re interested and would like to build an antenna or participate in the upcoming fox hunt, subscribe to the project subgroup by sending an e-mail to Projects+Subscribe@K9RN.groups.io to get added to the distribution list. If you have your own setup and would like to join the fun, e-mail Ralph at wb9icf@arrl.net.
Erich Kraemer (KC9CUK) is making a portable communications vehicle out of an old ambulance – The Hambulance. They’ve got a lot of stuff done in it and are now installing gear. Over the weekend they installed the AC unit and heater. More updates to come along with a website in the future.
John Dewey (KA9CAR) updated more log files to our K9RN LotW and got us some digital QSLs confirmed back.
Future Events
Hamfests
Racine Megacycle Club Freefest
Location: Racine, WI
08/10/2024
ARANCI Hamfest
Location: Lake Village, IN
08/11/2024
ORC Annual Regional Fall Swapfest
Location: Cedarburg, WI
09/07/2024
HRO Superfest
Location: Milwaukee, WI
09/20/2024 – 09/21/2024
Midwest Superfest, ARRL Illinois Section Convention
Location: Chillicothe, IL
09/21/2024 – 09/22/2024
Radio Expo
Location: Belvidere, IL
09/22/2024
Contests and Activities
AUGUST
10-10 Int. Summer Contest, SSB 0001Z, Aug 3 to 2359Z, Aug 4
ARRL 222 MHz and Up Contest 1800Z, Aug 3 to 1800Z, Aug 4
North American QSO Party, CW 1800Z, Aug 3 to 0600Z, Aug 4
WAE DX Contest, CW 0000Z, Aug 10 to 2359Z, Aug 11
ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest 0600 local, Aug 17 to 2400 local, Aug 18
North American QSO Party, SSB 1800Z, Aug 17 to 0600Z, Aug 18
ARRL Rookie Roundup, RTTY 1800Z-2359Z, Aug 18
World Wide Digi DX Contest 1200Z, Aug 24 to 1200Z, Aug 25
SEPTEMBER
WAE DX Contest, SSB 0000Z, Sep 14 to 2359Z, Sep 15
ARRL September VHF Contest 1800Z, Sep 14 to 0300Z, Sep 16
ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest 0600 local, Sep 21 to 2400 local, Sep 22
144 MHz Fall Sprint 1900 local-2300 local, Sep 23
CQ Worldwide DX, RTTY 0000Z, Sep 28 to 2400Z, Sep 29
Wrap up
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, September 3rd, 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 GridTracker by Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY).
Roger Scott (KF9D) motioned to adjourn, and Dean Hettel (WC9C) seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:36 PM.
Prepared by Andrew White (K9AJW), MCWA Secretary.