MCWA Meeting Minutes of March 3, 2026
DRAFT
VP Jim N7US called the March 3, 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:
VP Jim McDonald N7US, Treasurer Joe Robin N9OK, Secretary Lyle Giese W9LRG(Zoom), Director Gary Kaatz W9TD, Past President Ralph Iden WB9ICF, Director Bob Smetana KE9CFO
Absent: President Dan Larson KD9M
There were 44 members in attendance with 2 guests and 9 members via Zoom
Guests
Clayson Lobb No Call
Robert Corizzell W3GRZ(Zoom)
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the February meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Motion to accept the minutes Kieth N9QDS, Bob KE9CFO seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.
Membership and Financial Reports
Joe Robin, N9OK presented the membership and financial reports for March 2026.
Opening Balance $10,024.50 as of Jan 31, 2025
Deposits $170.00
Dues $110.00
Donation $60.00 from Bob KE9CFO
Expenditures $6.62 Digital Ocean
$1.00 CLBT Bank Fee for remote deposit
$7.62 Total Expenditures
Final Balance $10,168.98 Feb 27, 2026
Total membership is 151 members. That includes 134 (voting) Members, 14 Family (voting) members and 3 associate members.
SAM KC9GPY 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
Sam KC9GPY reported on the 415 groups great success during Winter Field Day. N9WH was 7th in points world wide, 1st place in 9 land and Illinois. One of only two outdoor stations having a high multiplier of 29. Plus working 12 bands during Winter Field. Noting that extreme cold limited many to indoor stations in North America.
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. We are in urgent need for a Publicity Chairperson.
Plans are continuing for a picnic for MCWA and SUHFARS group. Aug 16th is the target date. More info to follow.
A POTA campout is planned for the 1st weekend in May to held at Chain of Lakes State Park with a pot luck dinner Saturday.
Contest Activities
ARRL International DX SSB March 7
International DX – CW March 7 -8
Youth on the Air March 15
Rookie Roundup – SSB April 19
Old Business
New Business
Recents new activities by membership
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at the Algonquin Township meeting room. Open “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM.
Jim W9JM made a motion to adjourn, Joe N9OK seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 PM.
Program
HF Propagation presented by Gary W9TD
Posted by Lyle Giese(W9LRG), Secretary, MCWA