MCWA Meeting Minutes of Nov 3, 2026
DRAFT
Due to a scheduling request, the program “New Antenna Designs” by Greg Mihran KJ6ER was presented before the normal business meeting for the MCWA. More info on Greg KJ6ER’s antenna designs can be found at https://kj6er.net
President Gary W9TD called the Nov 3, 2026 hybrid meeting(in-person and by Zoom) to order at 8:36 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Sam KC9GPY.
Board members present were:
President Gary Kaatz W9TD, VP Jim McDonald N7US, Treasurer Joe Robin N9OK, Secretary Lyle Giese W9LRG, Director Scott Desantis KB9VRW(Z)
Absent:
Bob Smetana KE9CFO, Past President Dan KD9M
There were 32 members in attendance with 5 guests and 11 members via Zoom
Guests
Greg KJ6ER (presentor)
Bob Temes KZ9S
Steve Noskowicz K9DCI
Bob Brehmer KA0TSL
New Member
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the September(resumed meeting) and October meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Motion to accept the minutes Sam KC9GPY, Roger KF9D seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.
Membership and Financial Reports
Opening Balance $9,839.81 Sept 30, 2026
Deposit $331.40 (Dues)
Withdrawals $36.00 Fastmail
$6.00 Digital Ocean
Total         $42.00 withdrawals
Final Balance $10,129.21 Oct 31, 2026
Motion to accept the minutes Sam KC9GPY, John K9JK seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.
PLEASE NOTE: abbreviated treasurer’s report will be presented at the meetings, but full details will be posted in the monthly Secretary’s report. This is part of our attempt to streamline the regular meeting.
Membership
Total membership is 145 members. That includes 129 (voting) Members, 14 Family (voting) members, and 2 associate members.
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.
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/
Contest Activities
For the ARRL America 250th Aniversity, they are tracking contacts with Affliated Clubs. MCWA members can use our club’s K9RN call sign for this purpose. Contact John KA9CAR for more info and to schedule your use of K9RN and for sending in logs related to these contacts.
VHF/UHF FT8 Nov 5,12,19 (144/432/1296)
ARRL CW Sweep Nov 7-10
WAE DX RTTY Nov 14-15
ARRL SSB Sweep Nov 21-23
CQ WWW DC(CW) Nov 28-29
Weekly activities
Cwops Wed 25 to 35+ spm
ICWC Medium speed Mon 20-25 wpm
K1USN Slow speed Fri, Sun Max 20 wpm
Member Activity
Chicago Marathon team Gil WW9GIL, Bill AF9I, Roger KF9D, Loren K3RFC, Andy KE9AAH, Dave K9AT They manned aide station #8 for the Chicago Marathon and reported on their activity.
Nov 1st Fox Hunt & POTA at Moraine Hills park. 20 attended, 3 foxes. Planned & executed by Paul KC9MNE, Glenn K9OK, Angelo KD9QVW
Ill QSO Party – Well attended by McHenry Co Hams & MCWA members. The 415 group also hosted Ill QSO operations.
Old Business
New Business
Notes from Oct 26, 2026 board meeting
Board meetings to be held quarterly. Plans are to have these at the Algonquin Township meeting room and all members are invited to attend.
Club wil purchase name badges for new members.
Club wil provide refreshments for meetings.
Pizza Party in December, need approximate count at Nov meeting.
Each board member to procure two meeting presentations each.
Condense Secretary’s minutes and Treasurer’s report at the meetings. Full details will be posted online with the Secretary’s minutes for meetings.
Survey members on meeting format.
Start planning for next year’s elections sooner than last year.
Put club assets on a spreadsheet on website: what & where
Door prizes for meetings.
Start a Shack of the Month presentation. Member to provide picture and short description at meeting.
2026-2027 Budget as proposed by the board of directors:
| Item | Planned | Actual | Notes |
| Field Day | $750 | Requires club ratification | |
| Insurance | $200 | ARRL | |
| Pizza Social | $300 | December with expected donations $5-$10 per person | |
| Meeting Refreshments | $300 | Coffee, Soft drinks, wate, snacks, badges | |
| Outreach | $500 | Scouts, etc, POTA, Books | |
| Zoom Pro Subscription | $170 | ||
| Website | $135 | Digital Ocean, Google Domains & POBox | |
| Meeting Enhancements | $100 | Microphones to replace those from Dan | |
| Door Prizes | $120 | ||
| Miscellaneous | $50 | Recognation that there will be unbudgeted misc expenses | |
| Total | $2,480 | ||
| Income | $1,470 |
Last year budgt/expense final report:
| Item | Planned | Actual | Notes |
| Field Day | $750 | $365.50 | |
| Insurance | $200 | $200 | ARRL |
| Pizza Social | $300 | $91.65 | |
| Spring Social | $300 | $0.00 | |
| Outreach | $500 | $0.00 | |
| Zoom Pro Subscription | $150 | $169.90 | |
| Website | $130 | $132.47 | |
| Meeting Enhancements | $100 | $0.00 | |
| Miscellaneous | $50 | $0.00 | |
| $2,480 | $1,005.66 | $1,474.34 under Budget | |
| Income | $1,406.65 | Expenses $400.99 over income |
Budget for 2026-2026. Motion to approve John KA9CAR, seconded John W9JM. Motion approved.
Next meeting
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, Dec 1, 2026 at the Algonquin Township meeting room. Open for “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM.
Presentation for December: Nexus by Seth McCallister KD9TAW
Motion to adjourn October meeting by Dave N9AT, Seconded by Gary W9TD. Adjorned at 9:43pm.
Posted by Lyle Giese(W9LRG), Secretary, MCWA