MCWA Meeting Minutes of May 5, 2026
DRAFT
VP Jim N7US called the May 5 2026 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) order at 7:08 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, Director Bob Smetana KE9CFO. Past President Ralph Iden WB9ICF
Absent: President Dan Larson KD9M
There were 30 members in attendance with no guests and 11 members via Zoom
Guests
None
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the April meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Motion to accept the minutes Sam KC9GPY, Radio Rick W9XB seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.
Membership and Financial Reports
Joe Robin, N9OK presented the membership and financial reports for May 2026.
Opening Balance $10.209.36 as of Apil 1, 2026
Deposits $30.00 Dues
Expenditures $6.62 Digital Ocean
$6.62 Total Expenditures
Final Balance $10,232.74 April 30, 2026
Total membership is 135 members. That includes 120 (voting) Members, 13 Family (voting) members, and 2 associate members.
John K9JK moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and Dave N9TE 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.
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 May 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.
Dave K9AT invited us to a walk at Grant Woods South May 9th at 9am.
Sam KC9GPY announced that the 415 group once again made the cover of the ARRL QST Magazine for the June Field Day issue.
The 415 group will operate on Field Day on Bay Road. All welcome.
The MCRACES group will be operating on Ware Road near RT 47 on the North side of Woodstock for Field Day.
The POTA Camp out was a success over the May 2/3 weeked. 15 campers and another 10 showing up for the Dinner on Saturday.
The Dayton Hamvention is coming up May 15th to May 17th.
Contest Activities
Old Business
New Business
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, June 2, 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, Joe N9OK seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Program
Maker Faire report by Ralph WB9ICF
Posted by Lyle Giese(W9LRG), Secretary, MCWA