MCWA Meeting Minutes of January 6, 2026
DRAFT
President Dan KD9M called the Jan 6, 2026 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 Jim McDonald N7US(zoom), Treasurer Joe Robin N9OK, Secretary Lyle Giese W9LRG, Director Gary Kaatz W9TD, Director Bob Smetana KE9CFO, Past President Ralph Iden WB9ICF
There were 32 members in attendance with 2 guests and 10 members via Zoom
Guests
Sue, no license
Erich W9RX(zoom)
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the December meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Motion to accept the minutes Sam KC9GPY. Dave K9AT seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.
Membership and Financial Reports
Joe Robin, N9OK presented the membership and financial reports for December 2025.
Opening Balance $10,120.29 as of Nov 29, 2025
Deposits $11.50 Dues minus fee coverage
Expenditures $98.77
$6.62 Digital Ocean
$0.50 CLBT Bank Fee for remote deposit
$91.65 Ralph WB9ICF for Dec Meeting
Final Balance $10,133.02 Dec 31, 2025
Total membership is 148 members. That includes 132 (voting) Members, 14 Family (voting) members and 2 associate members.
Ralph WB9ICF moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and John K9JK seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the treasurer’s report was approved.
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.
Recent Events
Future Events
2026 Hamfest Calendar by K9MSG is available at:
https://www.w9dup.org/hamfests.html
Amateur Radio Events also publishes a list at:
https://www.amateurradioevents.com/
McHenry County RACES(mcraces.org) is working on getting a Winter Field day operation going also.
K9RN Field Day committee has been hosting zoom meetings and making progress with the 2026 Field Day preparations. We are planning to have our FD at Rush Creek in Harvard again and are still looking into additional sites for 2027. Next FD zoom meeting will be Jan 19th 7pm. Use the reflector Field Day subgroup if you are interested in helping this effort.
The 415 group(https://www.the415arc.com) will hosting Winter Field day on Jan 24 & Jan 25 at Gary W9GD’s farm, 3208 Bay Road, Crystal Lake, IL All interested persons are welcome, licensed or non-licensed.
Contest Activities
January VHF Jan 18 – 20
BARTG RTTY Sprint Jan 24 -25
Winter Field Day Jan 24-25
N American SSB Sprint Feb 1
School Club Roundup Feb 9 – 13
International DX – CW March 7 -8
Rookie Roundup – SSB April 19
Old Business
New Business
Recents new activities by membership
Joe N9OK talked about assemblying a new QMX QRP rig (80, 60, 40, 30, and 20m) 5 watt transceiver).
Mike WB8BZK is participating in a year long America 250 event. More info on this event can be found at https://www.arrl.org/america250-was/
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at the Algonquin Township meeting room. Open “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM.
Ralph WB9ICF made a motion to adjourn, Joe N9OK seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Program
ARISS ISS Contact Report
Glenn K9OK Angelo KD9QVW Dave K9AT Erich W9RX
Posted by Lyle Giese(W9LRG), Secretary, MCWA