Author: Lyle Giese

MCWA Meeting Minutes of July 7, 2026

DRAFT

President Dan KD9M called the June 7, 2026 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 Jim McDonald N7US, Secretary Lyle Giese W9LRG, Director Gary Kaatz W9TD, Past President Ralph Iden WB9ICF, Director Bob Smetana KE9CFO

Absent:

Treasurer Joe Robin N9OK

There were 31 members in attendance with 3 guests and 4 members via Zoom

Guests

Jim Witt, no license

Steve K9DCI

Dale KE9FIC

New Member

Approval of Minutes

The meeting minutes from the June meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Motion to accept the minutes Eric KC9CUK, Dave NT9E seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.

Membership and Financial Reports

VP Jim N7US(in Joe N9OK’s absence) presented the membership and financial reports for June 2026.

Opening Balance $10241.12 as of May 31, 2026

Deposit $56.57 (Carl KC9KUA, Phil W9KXR, Robert KS9W new members), Renewals (Desmond KB3LKM, Mike W9MR), N9OK (See Note 2)

Withdrawals $13.19

$6.52 Digital Ocean

$6.57 N9OK (see note 2)

Final Balance $10,384.50 June 30, 2026

Notes:

1: The $15.00 Bank Credit in May was reimbursement for pash charges. The bank had already reimbursed MCWA but the wanted to reimburse the club again.

2: I have received several Facebook lawsuit settlements payouts. For some reason FB links my name to the MCWA Paypal Account, so the payments appear here. I simply transfer them to my account.

Total membership is 140 members. That includes 124 (voting) Members, 14 Family (voting) members, and 2 associate members.

John K9JK moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and William AF9I 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.

Recent Events

Field Day reports

MCWA Total score 10,021

Total QSO’s 2207

CW = 1407

Phone = 201

Digital = 599

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/

Colorado QSO Party Sat. Sept. 12, 2026

Plans are continuing for a picnic for MCWA and SUHFARS group. Aug 16^th is the target date. More info to follow.

Oct 11 Ham Radio for Chicago Marathon Contact John W9JM@ARRL.NET to volunteer.

Contest Activities

Old Business

New Business

The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, Aug 4, 2026 at the Algonquin Township meeting room. Open “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM.

Gary W9TD made a motion to adjourn, John W9JM seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:27 PM.

Program

USA 250^th celebration and eyeball QSOs.

Posted by Lyle Giese(W9LRG), Secretary, MCWA

MCWA Meeting Minutes of June 2, 2026

President Dan KD9M called the June 2, 2026 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 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:

There were 41 members in attendance with 1 guests and 7 members via Zoom

Guests

 

New Member

Carl Bloomer KC9KUA, Bull Valley

Approval of Minutes

The meeting minutes from the May meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Motion to accept the minutes John K9JK, Dave K9AT 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 2026.

Opening Balance $10.232,74 as of May 1, 2026
Deposits $15.00 Bank Credit

Expenditures $6.62 Digital Ocean

$6.62 Total Expenditures

Final Balance $10,241.12 May 31, 2026

Total membership is 136 members. That includes 121 (voting) Members, 13 Family (voting) members, and 2 associate members.

Dave NT9E moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and Rick W9XB 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.

Recent Events

2026 McHenry Century Bike Ride was conducted on Sunday May 24^th. Wendell N9REP lead the effort to support the race. 332 riders were signed up to participate. Ham operators helping Wendell:

Mike KC9VGJ Jeff KC9UKZ Jon KC9OO Mike WB8BZK John KA9CAR

Keith KC9ZON Ralph WB9ICF Noel KE9AU Bob KD9ANJ Jim W9JWM

Neil N9NL Mike KD9MZ

Future Events

June 21st & 22^nd 2026, The year of the Club “Club QSO Party”

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 June 15^h 7pm. Use the reflector Field Day subgroup if you are interested in helping this effort.

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.

SUHFARS.org will operating at Marengo Ridge for Field Day.

Plans are continuing for a picnic for MCWA and SUHFARS group. Aug 16^th is the target date. More info to follow.

Contest Activities

 

Old Business

 

New Business

 

The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, July 7, 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 PM.

Program

Trap Antenna design using COAX traps, DAN, KD9M

Posted by Lyle Giese(W9LRG), Secretary, MCWA

MCWA Meeting Minutes of May 5, 2026

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 NT9E 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.

Recent Events

Future Events

Help is needed for the 2026 McHenry Century Bike Ride on Sunday May 24^th. 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 20^th 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 16^th is the target date. More info to follow.

Dave K9AT invited us to a walk at Grant Woods South May 9^th 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 15^th to May 17^th.

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

MCWA Meeting Minutes of April 7, 2026

VP Jim N7US called the April 7, 2026 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:

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.

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, 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.

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.

Recent Events

Future Events

Help is needed for the 2026 McHenry Century Bike Ride on Sunday May 24^th. 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 20^th 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 16^th is the target date. More info to follow.

A POTA campout is planned for the 1^st 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

MCWA Meeting Minutes of March 3, 2026

DRAFT

VP Jim N7US called the March 3, 2026 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:

VP Jim McDonald N7US, Treasurer Joe Robin N9OK, Secretary Lyle Giese W9LRG(Zoom), Director Gary Kaatz W9TD, Past President Ralph Iden WB9ICF, Director Bob Smetana KE9CFO

Absent: President Dan Larson KD9M

There were 44 members in attendance with 2 guests and 9 members via Zoom

Guests

Clayson Lobb No Call

Robert Corizzell W3GRZ(Zoom)

Approval of Minutes

The meeting minutes from the February meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Motion to accept the minutes Kieth N9QDS, Bob KE9CFO 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 2026.

Opening Balance $10,024.50 as of Jan 31, 2025
Deposits $170.00

Dues $110.00

Donation $60.00 from Bob KE9CFO

Expenditures $6.62 Digital Ocean

$1.00 CLBT Bank Fee for remote deposit

$7.62 Total Expenditures

Final Balance $10,168.98 Feb 27, 2026

Total membership is 151 members. That includes 134 (voting) Members, 14 Family (voting) members and 3 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.

Recent Events

Sam KC9GPY reported on the 415 groups great success during Winter Field Day. N9WH was 7^th in points world wide, 1^st place in 9 land and Illinois. One of only two outdoor stations having a high multiplier of 29. Plus working 12 bands during Winter Field. Noting that extreme cold limited many to indoor stations in North America.

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/

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 Feb 16^th 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 16^th is the target date. More info to follow.

A POTA campout is planned for the 1^st weekend in May to held at Chain of Lakes State Park with a pot luck dinner Saturday.

Contest Activities

ARRL International DX SSB March 7

International DX – CW March 7 -8

Youth on the Air March 15

Rookie Roundup – SSB April 19

Old Business

New Business

Recents new activities by membership

The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at the Algonquin Township meeting room. Open “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM.

Jim W9JM made a motion to adjourn, Joe N9OK seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 PM.

Program

HF Propagation presented by Gary W9TD

Posted by Lyle Giese(W9LRG), Secretary, MCWA