Author: Lyle Giese

MCWA Meeting Minutes of July 1, 2025

DRAFT

President Dan Larson (KD9M) called the July 1, 2025 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:

President Dan Larson KD9M , VP Wendell Smith N9REP, Treasurer Joe Robin N9OK, Secretary Lyle Giese W9LRG, Director Gary Kaatz W9TD, Glenn Otto K9OK, Past President Ralph Iden WB9ICF

There were 26 members in attendance with 2 guests and 7 members via Zoom with guest via zoom:

Guests:

Aidan W9POG & Friend, Aidan was President of the MSOE Amateur Radio Club(W9HHX)

Approval of Minutes

The meeting minutes from the June meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Sam KC9GPY accept the minutes, Gary W9TD seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.

Membership and Financial Reports

Joe Robin, N9OK presented the membership and financial reports for June 2025.

Opening Balance $10,024.56 as of May 31, 2025
Deposits $10.00 Dues

Expenditures $6.62 Digital Ocean $6.62

Final Balance $10.027.94 June 30, 2025

Total membership is 142 members. That includes 127 Voting Members, 13 Family members and 2 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.

HTTPS://paypal.me/mcwapaypal

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.

Field Day 2025

MCWA’s K9RN operations at Rush Creek Conservation Area

1392 CW contacts, 31 Phone contacts, 754 Digital contacts, Score 10,166

82 out of 85 Sections were worked by the crew. Plus 10 Dxcc contacts.

The 415’s Satelitte operations during Field Day made contact with the Internation Space Station. Congrats to Angelo KD9QVW and the Sat crew.

Roger KF9D worked at the W!AW station recently.

Future Events

2025 Hamfest Calendar by K9MSG is available at:

https://www.w9dup.org/hamfests.html

Amerateur Radio Events also publishs a list at:

https://www.amateurradioevents.com/2025hamfests1

Old Business

New Business

Upcoming Elections, if you are interested in being on the board, please send a note to nomcom@mcwa.org

The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, August5, 2025, at the Algonquin Township meeting room. Open “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM.

Joe N9OK motioned to adjourn, and John W9JM seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:28 PM.

Program

Round table discussion of how you got into Ham Radio.

Prepared by

Posted by Lyle Giese(W9LRG), Secretary, MCWA

MCWA Meeting Minutes of June 3, 2025

President Dan Larson (KD9M) called the June 3, 2025 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:

President Dan Larson KD9M , VP Wendell Smith N9REP, Treasurer Joe Robin N9OK, Director Gary Kaatz W9TD

There were 22 members in attendance with 1 guest and 8 members via Zoom with 1 guest via zoom:

Guests:

WA7LNW Jack (via zoom)

KC9IL Warren

Approval of Minutes

The meeting minutes from the May meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Sam KC9GPY moved to accept the minutes, John W9JM 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 2025.

Opening Balance $9,961.18 as of March 30, 2025
Deposits $70.00 Dues

Expenditures $6.62 Digital Ocean $6.62

Final Balance $10.024.56 05/31/2025

Total membership is 141 members. That includes 126 Voting Members, 13 Family members and 2 associate members.

Dave K9AT moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and Wendell N9REP 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.

HTTPS://paypal.me/mcwapaypal

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.

Field Day 2025

Rush Creek Conservation Area June 28 & 29

Looking for members interested in support of operating stations, Food, and fun.

Contact Dan KD9M@yahoo.com to volunteer and sign up for operating.

Future Events

2025 Hamfest Calendar by K9MSG is available at:

https://www.w9dup.org/hamfests.html

Amerateur Radio Events also publishs a list at:

https://www.amateurradioevents.com/2025hamfests1

Awards and license upgrades

None

Old Business

Pizza party tentatively scheduled for Sept meeting along with annual elections.

New Business

The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at the Algonquin Township meeting room. Open “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM.

Sam KC9GPY motioned to adjourn, and Roger KF9D seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:11 PM.

Program

Jack Reed WA7LNW & W7CXX Reporting on CW contesting & his work with Collins Aerospace

Posted by Lyle Giese(W9LRG), Secretary, MCWA

MCWA Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2025

President Dan Larson (KD9M) called the May 6, 2025 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:

President Dan Larson KD9M , VP Wendell Smith N9REP, Treasurer Joe Robin N9OK, Secretary Lyle Giese W9LRG, Director Glenn Otto K9OK, Director Gary Kaatz W9TD, Past President Ralph Iden WB9ICF

There were 36 members in attendance and 6 members via Zoom with 0 guests:

Approval of Minutes

The meeting minutes from the March meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Kieth N9QDS moved to accept the minutes, Gary N9TD 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 2025.

Opening Balance $9,967.80 as of Feb 28, 2025

Deposits $10.00 Dues

Expenditures $6.62 Digital Ocean $6.62

Final Balance $9.961.18 04/30/2025

Total membership is 139 members. That includes 124 Voting Members, 13 Family members and 2 associate members.

John W9JM 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.

HTTPS://paypal.me/mcwapaypal

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.

Field Day 2025

Rush Creek Conservation Area June 28 & 29

Looking for members interested in support of operating stations, Food, and fun.

Contact Dan KD9M@yahoo.com to volunteer

POTA Campout

Angelo KD9QVW and Glen K9OK

Chain O’ Lakes State Park the weekend of April 26^th. 9 campers and 15 visiting membes attended. It was a huge success with planning in progress to do the same next year.

Activities for 2025:

VE testing will be held Sat May 15^th in McHenry at the McHenry Masonic Lodge.

VE testing will be held Tuesday May 20^th at the Free Methodist Church in Woodstock.

Future Events

2025 Hamfest Calendar by K9MSG is available at:

https://www.w9dup.org/hamfests.html

Amerateur Radio Events also publishs a list at:

https://www.amateurradioevents.com/2025hamfests1

Awards and license upgrades

Rayn Broussard was KD9WPY, has received his vanity call and is now NK9F

Old Business

Ralph WB9ICF reported on the success of the Maker Faire at the Lake County Fairgrounds in April. The club presented info on amatuer Radio Satellites, Meshtastic, and DIY adventure. Plus a build it yourself kits called Joule Thief.

For more info on the Joule Thief visit:

https://mcwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Joule-Thief-Guide.pdf

For more info on Maker Fair visit:

RadioActive

New Business

New Updates from Membership

Sam KC9GPY reported on the activity results from Winter Field day in January by the 415 group.

Also Sam KC9GPY reported on the continued ARRL interest in the activities at the 415 Field Day resulting from the presentation for Static play. They have mentions in the June editions of ARRL magazines, ‘On the Air’(including the cover) and QST.

The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the Algonquin Township meeting room. Open “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM.

Sam KC9GPY motioned to adjourn, and John K9JK seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 PM.

Program

POTA QRP(low power) radio and antenna setups by Gary W9TD.

Prepared by

Posted by Lyle Giese(W9LRG), Secretary, MCWA

MCWA Meeting Minutes of April 1, 2025

President Dan Larson (KD9M) called the April 1, 2025 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:

President Dan Larson KD9M , VP Wendell Smith N9REP, Treasurer Joe Robin N9OK, Secretary Lyle Giese W9LRG, Director Glenn Otto K9OK, Director Gary Kaatz W9TD, Past President Ralph Iden WB9ICF

There were 32 members in attendance and 9 members via Zoom with 4 guests:

Paul & his son Charley  no licenses

Bob Schunter KC0ONY

Sue Nelson (WI9C Dave’s wife)

Approval of Minutes

The meeting minutes from the March meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Gary W9TD moved to accept the minutes, Dave NT9E 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 2025.

Opening Balance $10,565.91 as of Feb 28, 2025
Deposits $10.00 Dues

Expenditures $608.11 Digital Ocean $6.62

Wintrust check deposit fee $1.50

Dan K9FM for new laptop $599.99

Note: Dan donated MS Office and Sales Tax $72.59 for laptop. Thanks Dan!

Final Balance $9.967.80 03/28/2025

Total membership is 138(was 156) members. That includes 123(was 140) Voting Members, 13 Family members and 2 associate members. Those with un-paid dues(as of the March meeting) werel dropped from the club roster.

Kieth N9QDS moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and John KA9CAR seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the treasurer’s report was approved.

To pay dues or join MCWA:

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.

HTTPS://paypal.me/mcwapaypal

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.

Field Day 2025

Rush Creek Conservation Area June 28 & 29

Looking for members interested in support of operating stations, Food, and fun.

Contact Dan KD9M@yahoo.com to volunteer

POTA Campout

Angelo KD0QVW and Glen K9OK

Chain O’ Lakes State Park the weekend of April 26^th. Honeysuckle campground in the area of site 35.

We plan on congreagating around the site 35 area. A potluck dinner is planned for Saturday at 6pm

All are welcome. Reserve yourself a site if you want to camp. Any questions email Angelo kd9qvw@gmail.com

Activities for 2025:

Louisiana QSO Party April 5 & 6

Mississippi QSO Party April 5 & 6

Georgia QSO Party April 12 & 12

North Dakota QSO Party April 12 & 13

Rookie Roundup – Phone April 13

Nebraska QSO Party April 19

Michigan QSO Party April 19

Florida QSO Party April 26 & 27

BARTG Spring 75 April 27

Future Events

2025 Hamfest Calendar by K9MSG is available at:

https://www.w9dup.org/hamfests.html

Amateur Radio Events also publishs a list at:

https://www.amateurradioevents.com/2025hamfests1

Awards and license upgrades

None

Old Business

None

New Business

New Updates from Membership

Correspondence received form Jack Hudson W9MU:

Thank you for the lifetime honorary membership in MCWA. I enjoyed the friendships and activities for many years and I appreciate this honor.

Sincerely, Jack W. Hudson W9MU

 

Brent Walls, N9BA Director for ARRL Central Division wrote this to Kevin KD9YYO, who wrote the article about the 415 Field Day activities including hosting the cast of the play Static. The article was the front page leader for the March 2025 QST magazine.

Hi Kevin –

Again, congratulations on having your article chosen for the prestigious QST Cover Plague Award. I have attached the cover of the March 2025 QST that your article inspired. I appreciate your contribution to QST and look forward to seeing future contributions for you or your fellow club members.

Thanks you,

Brent Walls, N9BA

Lyle W9LRG reported that the ARRL is now generating License certificates suitable for framing in 11 x 8.5 format. Price for ARRL members is $12.00, no electronic versions.

More info and order form is available at:

https:www.arrl.org/License-Certificates

Wendell N9REP reported McHenry Century Bike ride is scheduled for May 25th and they are looking for volunteers to assist with monitoring the route and other related activities in support of this event.  Contact Wendell for more information.

The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Algonquin Township meeting room. Open “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM. Formal program is TBD.

Sam KC9QPY motioned to adjourn, and Dave NT9E seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:24 PM.

Program

Ralph Iden WB9ICF – Maker Faire

Prepared by Lyle Giese (W9LRG), MCWA Secretary.

MCWA Meeting Minutes of March 4, 2025

President Dan Larson (KD9M) called the March 4, 2025 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) order at 7:02 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Dave K9AT.

Board members present were:

President Dan Larson KD9M , VP Wendell Smith N9REP, Treasurer Joe Robin N9OK, Secretary Lyle Giese W9LRG, Director Glenn Otto K9OK, Director Gary Kaatz W9TD, Past President Ralph Iden WB9ICF

There were 31 members in attendance and 11 members via Zoom with 2 guests:

Warren Pugh KC9IL

Mike Simmons N9GHP

Approval of Minutes

The meeting minutes from the February meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Sam KC9GPY moved to accept the minutes, Dave NT9E seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.

Membership and Financial Reports

Joe Robin, N9OK presented the membership and financial reports for February 2025.

Opening Balance $10,443.05 as of January 31, 2025
Deposits $130.00 Dues

Expenditures $7.12 Digital Ocean $6.62

Wintrust check deposit fee $0.50

Final Balance $10.565.91 02/28/2025

Total membership is 156 members. That includes 140 Voting Members 140 Full members , 13 Family members and 3 associate members. Those with un-paid dues(as of the March meeting) will be dropped from the club roster.

Sam KC9GPY moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and Roger KF9D seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the treasurer’s report was approved.

Members who have not paid dues for 2025:

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.

HTTPS://paypal.me/mcwapaypal

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.

Board of Directors Update:

New laptop has been purchased.

Field Day 2025

Rush Creek Conservation Area June 28 & 29

Looking for members interested in support of operating stations, Food, and fun.

Contact Dan KD9M@yahoo.com to volunteer

Activities for 2025:

Stew Perry Topband Challenge March 8 & 9

Idaho QSO Party March 8 & 9

Oklahoma QSO party March 8 & 9

Wisconsin QSO party March 9CQ WPX SSB Contest March 28 – 30

Rookie Roundup – Phone April 13

Future Events

2025 Hamfest Calendar by K9MSG is available at:

https://www.w9dup.org/hamfests.html

Awards and license upgrades

None

Old Business

None

New Business

None

New Updates from Membership

Kevin KD9YYO wrote an article about the 415 group’s Field Day Activities that included hosting the cast of the play Static (at the Raue center in Crystal Lake, IL), which was a mystery play using morse code for clues. His article made the front page of the ARRL QST magazine for March 2025.

Wrap up

The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025, at the Algonquin Township meeting room. Open “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM. Formal program is TBD.

Sam KC9GPY motioned to adjourn, and John K9JK seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 PM.

Program

Illinois QSO Party – Rick KY0Q / Rover

Prepared by Lyle Giese (W9LRG), MCWA Secretary.