MCWA Meeting Minutes of February 3, 2026
DRAFT
President Dan KD9M called the Feb 3, 2026 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) order at 7:01 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Dave K9AT.
Board members present were:
President Dan Larson KD9M, VP Jim McDonald N7US, Treasurer Joe Robin N9OK, Secretary Lyle Giese W9LRG(Zoom), Past President Ralph Iden WB9ICF
Absent: Director Gary Kaatz W9TD, Director Bob Smetana KE9CFO
There were 34 members in attendance with 1 guests and 11 members via Zoom
Guests
Ken Hoffman No License
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the January meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Motion to accept the minutes Sam KC9GPY. Dave NT9E 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 2026.
Opening Balance $10,133.02 as of Dec 31, 2025
Deposits $169.70 Dues minus fee coverage
Expenditures $6.62 Digital Ocean
$1.50 CLBT Bank Fee for remote deposit
$270.00 Field Day Reservation at Rush Creek
$278.50 Total Expenditures
Final Balance $10,024,50 Jan 31, 2026
Total membership is 148 members. That includes 132 (voting) Members, 14 Family (voting) members and 2 associate members.
John K9JK moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and Roger KF9D 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/
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 Feb 16th 7pm. Use the reflector Field Day subgroup if you are interested in helping this effort.
The 415 group(https://www.the415arc.com) held Winter Field day on Jan 24 & Jan 25 at Gary W9GD’s farm, 3208 Bay Road, Crystal Lake, IL. Gary W9GD gave a detailed report of the activitities that weekend.
Plans are continuing for a picnic for MCWA and SUHFARS group. Aug 16th is the target date. More info to follow.
Contest Activities
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
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at the Algonquin Township meeting room. Open “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM.
Sam KC9GPY made a motion to adjourn, Dave NT9E seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Program
Ham Radio & Rocket Sciences
Sevim Ablay DL/WB8BHN/P
Posted by Lyle Giese(W9LRG), Secretary, MCWA