MCWA Meeting Minutes of February 4, 2025
DRAFT
President Dan Larson (KD9M) called the February 4, 2025 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) order at 7:00 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Dave K9AT.
Board members present were:
President Dan Larson KD9M , VP Wendell Smith N9REP, Treasurer Joe Robin N9OK, Secretary Lyle Giese W9LRG, Director Glenn Otto K9OK, Director Gary Kaatz W9TD, Past President Ralph Iden WB9ICF
There were 32 members in attendance and 15 members via Zoom with 2 guests:
Warren Pugh KC9IL
Mike Simons N9GHP
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the January meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Gary W9TD moved to accept the minutes, Kieth N9QDS seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.
Membership and Financial Reports
Joe Robin, N9OK presented the membership and financial reports for January 2025.
Opening Balance $10,596.75 as of 12/31/24
Deposits $140.00 Dues
Expenditures $293.72
Digital Ocean $6.62
WinTrust Bank $0.50
Stamps $14.60
Field Day Res. $272.00
Final Balance $10,443.03 01/31/2025
Total membership is 155 members. That includes 153 Voting Members (140 Full members , 13 Family members and 2 associate members.
Dave NT9E moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and John K9JK seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the treasurer’s report was approved.
Members who have not paid dues for 2025:
Choice 1: Dues are payable via PayPal MCWAPaypal@gmail.com $10/year. Be sure to select ‘Friends & Family’ when paying via PayPal. Please include your call sign, it helps the treasurer to credit the correct membership.
Choice 2: Cash given to Joe N9OK in person at a regular club meeting.
Choice 3: Checks can be sent to:
Joe Robin N9OK
4410 Billingsgate Lane
Woodstock, IL 60098
Be sure to include your call sign!
Be aware we are now charged $0.50 bank fee per check now.
Honorary Member:
Motion made to make Jack Hudson W9MU an honorary life member by Keith N9QDS, seconded by Joe KD9KTA Approved.
Board of Directors Update:
Budget (2024-2025)
|
Item |
Budgeted |
Actual |
Notes |
| Field Day |
$750.00 |
Approved by membership Feb 2025 | |
| Insurance |
$200.00 |
$200.00 |
|
| Pizza Social |
$300.00 |
Projected April/May Donations will be accepted | |
| Outreach Activities |
$400.00 |
Scoutn, POTA, FoxHunt, Maker Fair | |
| Zoom Pro Subscription |
$150.00 |
$149.90 |
Renewed |
| Website |
$130.00 |
DigitalOcean, Google Domains, POBox(email) | |
| Laptop |
$600.00 |
||
| Miscellaneous |
$50.00 |
||
|
$2580.00 |
Motion to approve Budget Gary W9TD, Second Dave NT9E. Approved.
Activities for 2024-2025:
North American QSO Party, Cw 1200Z, Jan 11 to 2400Z, Jan 12
VHF – UHF FT8 Activity Contest 1700Z-2100Z, Jan 15
North American QSO Party, SSB 1800Z, Jan 18 to 0559Z, Jan 19
ARRL January VHF Contest 1900Z, Jan 18 to 0359Z, Jan 19
CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW 2200Z, Jan 24 to 2200Z, Jan 26
Int Winter Contest, SSB 0001Z, Feb1 to 2359Z, Feb 2
Awards and license upgrades
None
Old Business
None
New Business
Approval for expenses related to 2025 Field day ($750): Motion to accept John K9JK, seconded Keith N9QDS. Approved.
Approval for a new laptop ($600) Motion to accept John K9JK, seconded Glenn K9OK. Approved.
New Updates from Membership
Dave NT9E got his 40 year pin from ARRL.
Eric KC9CUK has installed a MESHTASTIC node and it’s on the air in Spring Grove.
Gary W9GD reported that the Winter Field Day operations at his farm was a great success and wanted to thank all that helped in putting it together especially: Seth, Ken, Erich, Kevin, Mark
Future Events
Ham Fests
LaPort Cabin fever Hamfest 02/22/25 LaPorte, IN
Sterling Rock Falls Amateur Radio Society Hamfest 03/16/25 Dixon, IL
Tri-County WI Hamfest 03/16/25 Fort Atkinson, WI
2025 Hamfest Calendar by K9MSG is available at:
https://www.w9dup.org/hamfests.html
Wrap up
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, Mar 4, 2025, 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.
Joe KD9KTA motioned to adjourn, and Bill AF9I seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:32PM.
Program
AREDN MESH presented by Dan KD9M
Prepared by Lyle Giese (W9LRG), MCWA Secretary.