MCWA Meeting Minutes of June 1, 2021
President Ralph Iden (WB9ICF) called the June 2021 meeting to order at 7:00 PM by Zoom meetings. The Pledge of Allegiance followed led by Gary Dembski (W9GD). Ralph noted that the meeting would be recorded.
Board members present were Gary Dembski (W9GD), Dean Hettel (WC9C), Ralph Iden (WB9ICF), Gary Kaatz (W9TD), Dan Larson (KD9M), Mike Metroka (WB8BZK) and Mike Salak (KC9Q).
A total of 34 members were in attendance and no guests.
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the May 2021 meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Roger Scott (KF9D) motioned to approve the minutes with Kent Dulaney (K9KMD) seconding the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote.
Membership and Financial Reports
Treasurer Dean Hettel (WC9C) presented the membership and financial reports for May. MCWA has a membership of 115 full members, 7 family members and 1 associate member for a total of 123.
| Opening Balance | $7,386.00 | |
| Deposits | $10.00 | (dues) |
| Expenditures | $0.00- | |
| Interest | $0.06 | |
| Final Balance | $7,396.06 |
A motion to approve the financial report was made by John Dewey (KA9CAR) with a second by Pierre Berube (K9EYE). The motion was approved by voice vote.
Announcements
None
Hamfest and Event Update
PAST
Contest University (virtual): N7US and WB8BZK reported attending
Virtual Dayton Hamvention: K9JK attended
72nd International DX Convention (virtual): N7US, K9JK, WB8BZK reported attending
UPCOMING
Starved Rock June 6 (8 AM – 3 PM), Mendota Fairgrounds, Tickets $7/$8 at the gate
6M Club of Chicago (SMCC) June 20 (7 AM – 3 PM), American Legion Hall, Carol Stream, IL. Combined flea market with Antique Radio Club of Illinois (ARCI). SMCC and ARCI sellers only, visitors welcome at no charge.
WI9SM 2021 Swapfest July 10 (6:30 AM – 3:30 PM), American Legion Post 434, Oak Creek, WI, Tickets $5 at the gate
KARS-Fest July 18 at the Will county fairgrounds, Peotone, IL
W9AA Hamfesters August 1, Will County Fairgrounds, Peotone, IL
West Central Illinois Hamfest August 7 (7 AM – 1 PM) Macoupin County Fairgrounds, Carlinville, Tickets $5
W9DXCC Convention September 10/11, Chicago Marriott, Naperville, IL
Peoria Superfest September 18/19
Radio Expo September 26 (6 AM – 3 PM), Boone County Fairgrounds, Belvidere, IL, Tickets $8/$10 at the gate
Contest Reports
50 MHz Spring Sprint: John Kalenowsky (K9JK) roved for 2 hours over four grids, Mike Metroka (WB8BZK) also participated
VOLTA WW RTTY Contest: no reports
CQ WW WPX Contest – CW: Jim McDonald (N7US), Joe Robin (N9OK) and Mike Ricketts (ND9G) participated with Mike making 850 contacts for 1.2M points with good conditions reported by all
It was reported that K7CW achieved the 13th Fred Fish Memorial Award, facilitated by W0W activating EN48 over the Memorial Day weekend
Upcoming:
ARRL June VHF Contest – June 12-14
Stew Perry TopBand Challenge – June 19-20
ARRL Field Day – June 26-27
Upcoming MCWA Presentations
July 6 Lightning Protection for Amateur Radio Stations, Lloyd Berg, N9LB
Awards and license upgrades
None reported
Old Business
2021 MCWA Field Day will be June 25-27 at the Rush Creek Conservation Area. Dan Larson (KD9M) presented the current state of planning from the May 27th meeting. We will be class 2A (two HF stations) with VHF and a GOTA station. If you want to participate, contact one or more of the station captains: GOTA (KA9CAR), CW (KF9D), SSB/digital (KD9M) or VHF (WB8BZK). There will be an alternate field day like last year where home stations can aggregate their scores for the club. Please submit your scores with “McHenry County Wireless Association” as club name, exactly.
The McHenry County Century Bike Run was held on Sunday, May 30. Wendell Smith (N9REP) gave a recap of the event. He said the weather was great and there was a nice turnout with over 400 participants. There were few incidents and no one got hurt. The rest stop and station was at Veteran’s Park in Union. He had 12-13 helpers including club members K9FD, W9HB and KA9CAR. He noted that he had radio problems but managed to get operational.
In-person meeting update:
- We are all anxious to get back together for in-person meetings and with updated COVID guidelines that time is fast approaching.
- A search for a larger meeting space is resuming and there will be a report at next month’s meeting.
- Assuming that we will be allowed to meet again at the bank, it is likely our original meeting space will be the initial venue when we start meeting in person again while we secure a larger space. We will be contacting the bank to get an updated status of the availability of the meeting room.
- It is important to gather input from the membership regarding their readiness to meet in person and to have them weigh in on various options including costs. To that end, a Google survey will be sent within the next two weeks. The responses will used to guide the Board’s course of action.
New Business
None
Wrap up
Dave Whaley (NT9E) will be presenting “RTTY Contesting using the Flex, NY7G Digital Engine and N3FJP” following the adjournment of tonight’s meeting.
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, July 6, 2021 by Zoom meetings. Open “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM.
A motion to adjourn was made by Tom Pusateri (W9NBG) and seconded by Mike Salak (KC9Q). The motion was approved by voice vote and the meeting was adjourned at 7:42 PM.
Prepared by Gary Kaatz (W9TD), MCWA Secretary.