MCWA Meeting Minutes of April 7, 2026
DRAFT
VP Jim N7US called the April 7, 2026 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) order at 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, Director Gary Kaatz W9TD, Past President Ralph Iden WB9ICF, Director Bob Smetana KE9CFO
Absent: President Dan Larson KD9M
There were 37 members in attendance with no guests and 11 members via Zoom
Guests
None
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the March meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Motion to accept the minutes Olaf W9FY. Roger KF9D seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.
Membership and Financial Reports
Joe Robin, N9OK presented the membership and financial reports for April 2026 meeting.
Opening Balance $10,168.98 as of Feb 28, 2026
Deposits $30.00 Dues
Expenditures $6.62 Digital Ocean
$1.00 CLBT Bank Fee for remote deposit
$7.62 Total Expenditures
Final Balance $10,209.36 March 1, 2026
Total membership is 137 members. That includes 120 (voting) Members, 14 Family (voting) members, and 2 associate members.
John K9JK moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and John W9JM 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
Help is needed for the 2026 McHenry Century Bike Ride on Sunday May 24th. Contact Wendell N9REP if you can assist.
Phoenix KE9DPI is requesting assistance for school. He has a survey for an academic paper. If you have a few minutes, fill out his survey.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTH3oUu-Q-SBnImsjtLr-NH2N209IokFSXl0u6a4YnhvA3VQ/viewform?usp=header
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 April 20th 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
Old Business
New Business
Recents new activities by membership
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, May 5, 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, Bob KE9CFO seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Program
Modulations type for HF by Gary W9TD
Posted by Lyle Giese(W9LRG), Secretary, MCWA