McHenry County Wireless Association
MCWA was informed this morning by Steve Maresso (KB9OLD) that the November VE Testing in Woodstock has been canceled. If anyone has any questions, please contact Steve.
For other local locations offering VE Testing see VE Testing Opportunities.
Because of the many event cancelations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Events Calendar, going forward, will be limited to MCWA meetings and other events that have been confirmed as going forward.
The Federal Communications Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) regarding amateur radio fees (20-270) has been published in the Federal Register. This action has started the clock ticking for the deadline to post comments regarding this action.
As of this posting, 1,791 comments have been submitted, but more are needed.
You are encouraged to view or submit comments prior to the close of the 30 day comment period. Kermit Carlson’s post on the K9RN reflector provides more information about the commenting process.
The deadline for comments for November 16, 2020.
The following excerpt is from the ARRL Central Division Director, Kermit Carlson (W9XA). Mr. Carlson’s message, sent to all ARRL Central Division members, can be read in its entirety on the MCWA K9RN Groups.io reflector. It contains additional material important to the commenting process.
Many Central Division members have contacted me in the past month about the FCC’s proposal for a $50 “application fee” for license applications in the Amateur Radio Service.
The Notice of Proposed Rule Making was published in yesterday’s Federal Register. The deadline for comments is November 16, and the Reply comment deadline is November 30.
Since the “official” comment period is now open and now is the time to file comments against this proposal!
…This subject is critical, the timing is critical. I urge you to contact the FCC. The address and related information is contained in the article referenced in the Federal Register. Please use your own words to express your objections to the proposed fees.
Updated 10/20/2020 to better highlight comment link and update number of comments.
The ARRL Central Division Director, Kermit Carlson (W9XA) sent a message to ARRL members in the Central Division this morning. A portion of his message follows.
The following message is from the ARRL HQ regarding the
loss of access to the 3.3-3.5 GHz secondary spectrum allocation. I wish
that I would be able to relay a more acceptable message to you this
morning. The timing for actual end to amateur operations on the 9-CM
band has yet to be announced.
FCC Orders Amateur Access to 3.5 GHz Band to “Sunset”
10/08/2020
Despite vigorous and continuing opposition from ARRL and others, the FCC has ordered the “sunsetting” of the 3.3 – 3.5-GHz amateur radio secondary spectrum allocation. The decision allows current amateur
activity on the band to continue, “grandfathering” the amateur
operations subject to a later decision. The FCC proposed two deadlines
for amateur operations to cease on the band. The first would apply to
the 3.4 – 3.5 GHz segment, the second to 3.3 – 3.4 GHz. The FCC will
establish the dates once it reviews additional comments.
Full announcement from the ARRL
The Federal Communications Commission is proposing an amendment to the Schedule of Application fees (proceeding 20-270) which would assess a fee of $50 for new and renewed amateur radio licenses and applications for vanity callsigns. There would be no fee for administration changes such as a change of address.
The comment phase is now open and you are invited to submit comments to the FCC for consideration. Comments should be brief and respectful. Our ARRL Section Manager has requested that your comments should also be sent to the Central Division Director, Kermit Carlson at w9xa@arrl.org
You may post your comment for proceeding 20-270 . Be sure to enter the proceeding number “20-2020”. Comments are due no later than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
As of this posting, the proceeding has not appeared in the Federal Register. There have been 1,442 comments in the last 30 days. They can be viewed at 20-270 comments .
Meeting Minutes of September 1, 2020
Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was held via Zoom.
President Mike Metroka (WB8BZK) called the September 2020 meeting to order at 7:01 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Dave Holmgren (K9AT).
Board members present were Gary Dembski (W9GD), John Dewey (KA9CAR), Dean Hettel (WD9FOO), Ralph Iden (WB9ICF), Dan Larson (KD9M), Mike Metroka (WB8BZK), and Mike Salak (KC9Q).
A total of 37 members were in attendance.
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the August 2020 meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Gary Dembski (W9GD) motioned to approve the minutes with Dave Whaley (NT9E) seconding the motion. The motion was approved by voice vote.
Membership and Financial Reports
Dean Hettel (WD9FOO) presented the membership and financial reports for June. As of August 31, 2020, MCWA has a membership of 128 members, 127 full members and 1 associate member.
August Finances
| Opening Balance | 6,335.80 | |
| Deposits | 39.90 | Dues |
| Expenditures | 200.00 | ARRL Club Liability Insurance |
| 21.00 | DigitalOcean – Website hosting Sep-Dec | |
| Interest | 0.05 | |
| Final Balance | 6,154.75 |
Joe Robin (N9OK) made a motion to approve the financial report with a second by Dennis Ryan (KA9PUC) . The motion was approved by voice vote.
Announcements
Hamfest/Conference Reports
The first ever QSO Today Virtual Ham Convention was held the weekend of August 8 – 9 with the opening keynote on Friday evening. Several members attended and thought many of the programs worthwhile. Some elements of the interface and experience felt clumsy.
The Racine Megacyle Club’s Free Fest on August 8 wasn’t attended by anyone at the meeting.
The Society of Midwest Contesters (SMC) Fest occurred on August 22nd and was enjoyed by a number of members. Initially limited to current paid SMC members, the virtual event was later opened up to all.
As reported previously, the W9DXCC – NIDXA DX Convention has been canceled. The West Allis Radio Club’s 48th Annual Midwinter Swapfest originally planned for January 4th, 2021 at the Waukesha County Expo Center Arena has also been canceled.
Contest Updates
Quite a number of members participated in North American QSO Party, SSB including KY0G, KD9M, NT9E, and WB8BZK. K9JK and WB8BZK also participated in the 50 MHz Fall Sprint.
Upcoming contests as well as the current ARRL news can be viewed from the “News” page on the MCWA website (https://mcwa.org/topics/news/) and is updated daily.
VE Testing
The Hamfesters Radio Club conducts FCC authorized VE tests every 2nd
Saturday of the month at the Oak Forest Village Hall, 15440 S. Central Ave., Oak Forest, Illinois 60452. For more information contact Al Buikowski (N9ZD) or visit https://www.hamfesters.org/main/ve-testing.
MRAC holds monthly VE testing at HRO in Milwaukee, reservations required. More information at https://www.mracvec.org/.
The Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club (SARC) is providing limited VE testing. More information about the SARC testing sessions can be found at the SARC website (https://n9rjv.org).
Upcoming MCWA Presentations
Our members have enjoyed and learned much from our meeting programs in the past because of the wealth of knowledge and experience of the presenters. Please consider sharing your knowledge and present a talk at an upcoming meeting. Everyone has something to share that will benefit others.
MCWA November Dinner Social
The dinner social which has been held at the Village Squire in Crystal Lake the past two years and takes the place of the November meeting has been postponed until 2021. Based on the number of members who attended the previous two dinners, it was not possible to safely accommodate the large number of people at this time. There will be a virtual meeting in November.
K9CT Earns Fred Fish Memorial Award
Craig Thompson (K9CT) of Trivoli, IL completed the Fred Fish Memorial Award, which requires confirmed QSOs with each of the 488 Maidenhead grids within the continental United States on 6m. Craig is only the 12th operator to have achieved this impressive accomplishment. Congratulations, Craig!
Old Business
There was no old business.
New Business
Mike Salak (KC9Q) brought up the recently announced FCC Notice of Proposed Rule Making that proposes to establish a $50 fee for new licenses, upgrades, renewals, and vanity call signs. Administrative changes such as address changes would be free.
A discussion followed where members expressed their views on the new license fees: “It will have an impact on new people entering the hobby”, “Disincentive licensing”, “Maybe it would discourage callsign hoppers from frequently changing calls causing their old call to be unavailable to others for two years”. A number of members thought that a $50 or more fee would be detrimental or a barrier for many. For example, someone passes the Technician, upgrades to General, and applies for a vanity callsign will pay $150. The fee could result in fewer people entering into the hobby at time when the amateur community is aging.
A suggestion was made for club members to file comments with the FCC once the request for comments notice is announced. More information can be found on the ARRL website (http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-proposes-to-reinstate-amateur-radio-service-fees).
Dave Whaley (NT9E) asked if there was any progress securing a larger meeting place for in-person meetings. The Board has been compiling a list of potential venues and will be reviewing them for suitability. There are a number of factors that must be considered including size, location, cost, and venue availability during the pandemic.
Officer Elections
Mike Metroka (WB8BZK) said that after three years as President and two as Vice President, it was time to turn the reigns over to someone else. The candidates as presented by the Nomination Committee for the 2020-2021 officers and directors are:
The floor was opened for additional nominations. There were no further nominations. Dennis Ryan (KA9PUC) moved that the nominations be closed and that the list of candidates be accepted. The motion was seconded by Harold Burt (W9HB) and passed by voice vote.
Jim McDonald (N7US) and Fred Soop (AC9RQ) asked if there was a quorum present to hold an election and what would happen if an election couldn’t be held for that reason? A short discussion ensued with President Mike Metroka (WB8BZK) stating that in lieu of a lack of nominations from the floor, a vote would not be necessary as the unopposed candidates would be considered elected via acclamation. There were no objections from those present and the slate was elected by acclamation.
Congratulations were extended to the new Board of Directors, who will be seated at the October meeting. John Dewey (KA9CAR) current Past President will be leaving the Board and replaced by Mike Metroka (WB8BZK). Mike Salak (KC9Q) will begin his second year as Director.
The MCWA 2020-2021 Board of Directors:
Wrap up
The program for the evening will be “Building & Testing the SATNOGS Rotor” presented by Ralph Iden (WB9ICF), which begins immediately following meeting adjournment.
The next regular meeting will be a virtual Zoom meeting on Tuesday, October 6th, 2020. The meeting program that evening will be “DXing” by Jack Hudson (W9MU). Members watch your email for your meeting invitation. The meeting will open around 6:20 PM to allow users to join and visit. The meeting will commence at 7:00 PM.
A motion to adjourn was made by John Kalenowsky (K9JK) and seconded by Dave Whaley (NT9E). The motion was approved by voice vote and the meeting was adjourned at 7:42 PM.
Prepared by Ralph Iden (WB9ICF), MCWA Secretary
Before starting the evening’s program, it was revealed that Mike (WB8BZK) received a surprise visit from John (KA9CAR) and Gary (W9GD) earlier in the evening who presented him with a plaque expressing the club’s appreciation of his service as President the past three years and Vice President the two prior years. Thank you, Mike from MCWA.
