McHenry County Wireless Association
Propagation report as of Tuesday, February 25, 2025 3:45 PM CST
MCWA Meeting Minutes of February 4, 2025
DRAFT
President Dan Larson (KD9M) called the February 4, 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 15 members via Zoom with 2 guests:
Warren Pugh KC9IL
Mike Simons N9GHP
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the January meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Gary W9TD moved to accept the minutes, Kieth N9QDS seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.
Membership and Financial Reports
Joe Robin, N9OK presented the membership and financial reports for January 2025.
Opening Balance $10,596.75 as of 12/31/24
Deposits $140.00 Dues
Expenditures $293.72
Digital Ocean $6.62
WinTrust Bank $0.50
Stamps $14.60
Field Day Res. $272.00
Final Balance $10,443.03 01/31/2025
Total membership is 155 members. That includes 153 Voting Members (140 Full members , 13 Family members and 2 associate members.
Dave NT9E moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and John K9JK 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.
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.
Honorary Member:
Motion made to make Jack Hudson W9MU an honorary life member by Keith N9QDS, seconded by Joe KD9KTA Approved.
Board of Directors Update:
Budget (2024-2025)
|
Item |
Budgeted |
Actual |
Notes |
| Field Day |
$750.00 |
Approved by membership Feb 2025 | |
| Insurance |
$200.00 |
$200.00 |
|
| Pizza Social |
$300.00 |
Projected April/May Donations will be accepted | |
| Outreach Activities |
$400.00 |
Scoutn, POTA, FoxHunt, Maker Fair | |
| Zoom Pro Subscription |
$150.00 |
$149.90 |
Renewed |
| Website |
$130.00 |
DigitalOcean, Google Domains, POBox(email) | |
| Laptop |
$600.00 |
||
| Miscellaneous |
$50.00 |
||
|
$2580.00 |
Motion to approve Budget Gary W9TD, Second Dave NT9E. Approved.
Activities for 2024-2025:
North American QSO Party, Cw 1200Z, Jan 11 to 2400Z, Jan 12
VHF – UHF FT8 Activity Contest 1700Z-2100Z, Jan 15
North American QSO Party, SSB 1800Z, Jan 18 to 0559Z, Jan 19
ARRL January VHF Contest 1900Z, Jan 18 to 0359Z, Jan 19
CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW 2200Z, Jan 24 to 2200Z, Jan 26
Int Winter Contest, SSB 0001Z, Feb1 to 2359Z, Feb 2
Awards and license upgrades
None
Old Business
None
New Business
Approval for expenses related to 2025 Field day ($750): Motion to accept John K9JK, seconded Keith N9QDS. Approved.
Approval for a new laptop ($600) Motion to accept John K9JK, seconded Glenn K9OK. Approved.
New Updates from Membership
Dave NT9E got his 40 year pin from ARRL.
Eric KC9CUK has installed a MESHTASTIC node and it’s on the air in Spring Grove.
Gary W9GD reported that the Winter Field Day operations at his farm was a great success and wanted to thank all that helped in putting it together especially: Seth, Ken, Erich, Kevin, Mark
Future Events
Ham Fests
LaPort Cabin fever Hamfest 02/22/25 LaPorte, IN
Sterling Rock Falls Amateur Radio Society Hamfest 03/16/25 Dixon, IL
Tri-County WI Hamfest 03/16/25 Fort Atkinson, WI
2025 Hamfest Calendar by K9MSG is available at:
https://www.w9dup.org/hamfests.html
Wrap up
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, Mar 4, 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.
Joe KD9KTA motioned to adjourn, and Bill AF9I seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:32PM.
Program
AREDN MESH presented by Dan KD9M
Prepared by Lyle Giese (W9LRG), MCWA Secretary.
MCWA Meeting Minutes of January 7, 2025
President Dan Larson (KD9M) called the January 7, 2025 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) to order at 7:01 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Dave K9AT.
Board members present were:
President Dan Larson KD9M , VP Wendell Smith N9REP(Z), Treasurer Joe Robin N9OK(Z), Secetary Lyle Giese W9LRG, Director Glenn Otto K9OK, Director Gary Kaatz W9TD, Past President Ralph Iden WB9ICF
There were 28 members in attendance and 18 via Zoom with 1 guest:
Robert Smetana KE9CFO
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the December meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Sam KC9GPY moved to accept the minutes, Keith N9QDS seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.
Membership and Financial Reports
Joe Robin, N9OK presented the membership and financial reports for December, 2024
Opening Balance $10,340.03 as of 11/30/24
Deposits $326.90 Dues & Wintrust Reimbursment
Expenditures $70.18 Digital Ocean $6.62
WinTrust Bank $7.50
File Cabinet Keys $56.06
Final Balance $10,596.75 12/31/2024
Total membership is 152 members. That includes 139 Full members , 13 Family members and 2 associate members.
Sam KC9GPY moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and John W9JM seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the treasurer’s report was approved.
To Pay Dues:
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.
Board of Directors Update:
No updates at this time. Due to work restraints and Holidays, no progress on budget to report.
Activities for 2024-2025:
North American QSO Party, Cw 1200Z, Jan 11 to 2400Z, Jan 12
VHF – UHF FT8 Activity Contest 1700Z-2100Z, Jan 15
North American QSO Party, SSB 1800Z, Jan 18 to 0559Z, Jan 19
ARRL January VHF Contest 1900Z, Jan 18 to 0359Z, Jan 19
CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW 2200Z, Jan 24 to 2200Z, Jan 26
Int Winter Contest, SSB 0001Z, Feb1 to 2359Z, Feb 2
Hamfests:
Sterling Rock Falls Amateur Radio Society 03/16/2025
Dixon, IL
Tri-County WI Hamfest 2025 03/16/2025
Fort Aktinson, WI
Awards and license upgrades
New licensee Robert Smetana KE9CFO
Old Business
None
New Business
None
New Updates from Membership
Sam KC9QPY reported on his activitied for the CQ Marthon for last year.
Eric KC9CUK is working with other hams in the area to build a MESHTASTIC networks. Be on the lookout for further updates in the near future.
Future Events
Sam KC9GPY announced that the 415 group will hold a Winter Field event Jan 25th & 26th at the Bay Road Farm, 3208 Bay Road, Crystal Lake. All are welcome. Please sign up and register for operating or attending VIA their new website https://the415arc.com/events/winter-field-day/ so they can plan operations and food!
Wrap up
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, Feb 4, 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 KC0QPY motioned to adjourn, and Andy N7IDE seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:31 PM.
Program
Gary K9TD – RTTY with N1MM+
Prepared by Lyle Giese (W9LRG), MCWA Secretary.
MCWA Meeting Minutes of December 3, 2024
President Dan Larson (KD9M) called the December 3, 2024 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) to order at 7:01PM. 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, Secetary Lyle Giese W9LRG, Director Glenn Otto K9OK, Director Gary Kaatz W9TD, Past President Ralph Iden WB9ICF
There were 41 members in attendance and 15 via Zoom with 3 guests:
Warren Pugh KC9IL, Erich Grauke W9RX, Josh G.
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the November meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Gary W9TD moved to accept the minutes, 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 November, 2024
Opening Balance $9845.24 as of 10/31/24
Deposits $594.40 Dues & Wintrust Reimbursment
Interest $0.00
Expenditures $99.61 Digital Ocean $6.62
WinTrust Bank $7.50
Fox Hunt $85.49
Final Balance $10,340.03 11/30/2024
Total membership is 154 members. That includes 138 Full members , 14 Family members and 2 associate members.
Sam KC9GPY moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and Dave NT9E seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the treasurer’s report was approved.
To Pay Dues:
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.
Board of Directors Meeting Recap:
Membership is stable and growing – Had some SKs and many new members.
Being a general interest Club with many diverse interests, we want to grow the knowledge of all interests.
Finances are stong due to revenue from previous equipment auctions and spending being under budget overall, but need to focus efforts to keep numbers in check.
Activities for 2024-2025:
Possible Dinner Social for Nov 2025, need a person to chair this activity.
Pizza Party with program after (April or May). Volunteer donations to keep amount paid out in check.
Volunteer coffee donation to help keep expences down.
Once per quarter activities, Fox Hunt, POTA, Radio in the Park and others.
Budget (2023-2024):
|
Item |
Budgeted |
Actual |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Field Day |
$750 |
$961.62 |
Requires Club raification for over $300 |
|
Insurance |
$200 |
$200 |
|
|
Pizza Social |
$300 |
$374 |
Considering Pizza Social. Board decided to pay $300 for the pizza and to request a per person donation. |
|
Spring Social |
$300 |
$251 |
Family friendly, ticketes sold to cover the balance of cost |
|
Outreach Activities |
$500 |
$427 |
Scouts, etc. |
|
Zoom Pro |
$150 |
$149.90 |
Renewed |
|
Website(MCWA.ORG) |
$130 |
$130 |
Digital Ocean, Google Domains, PO Box |
|
Meeting Enhancements |
$500 |
0 |
Need to replace club’s laptop and enhance sound system |
|
Misc Expenses |
$50 |
||
|
Totals |
$2,880 |
$2369.94 |
Estimated |
Budget (2024-2025):(Preliminary)
|
Item |
Budgeted |
Actual |
Notes |
|
Field Day |
$750 |
Requires club ratification for over $300 |
|
|
Insurance |
$200 |
||
|
Pizza Social |
$450 |
Considering Pizza Social. Board decided to pay $300 for the pizza and to request a per person donation. |
|
|
Outreach activities |
$800 |
Scouts, POTA, FoxHunt, Maker Fair |
|
|
Zoom Pro |
$150 |
||
|
Website(MCWA.ORG) |
$130 |
Digital Ocean, Google Domains, PO Box |
|
|
Meeting Enchancements |
$500 |
Need new laptop , Need sound enchancements |
|
|
Misc Expenses |
$50 |
||
|
Total |
$3,030 |
Board of Directors need to finish working on Budget soon.
Awards and license upgrades
New MCWA member – Paul Gariepy KC9NME
Old Business
None
New Business
John KA9CAR will investigate cabinet to keep club equipment and keep it at the Algonquin Township office.
Need Program Coordinator to assist in scheduling and planing meeting programs.
New Updates from Membership
Lyle W9LRG reported on getting a free replacement antenna from LDG Electronics after his fryed.
Ralph WB9ICF reported on building a single band 5 watt CW transceiver from Midnite Designs
Gary W9TD reported on his CW Ops activities
Roger KF9D reported on his POTA activities including in the state of Oreon and from Morrison-Rockwood state part.
Future Events
Sam KC9GPY announced that the 415 group will hold a Winter Field event Jan 25th & 26th at the Bay Road Farm, 3208 Bay Road, Crystal Lake. All are welcome. Please sign up and register for operating or attending VIA their new website https://the415arc.com/events/winter-field-day/ so they can plan operations and food!
Hamfests
Sterling Rock Falls Amateur Radio Society Hamfest Dixon, IL 03/16/2025
Tri-County WI HamFest 2025 Fort Atkinson, WI 03/16/2025
Contests and Activities
Too many to mention. List has been posted on the reflector at https://Groups.io
Wrap up
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, January 7, 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 W9JM seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 PM.
Program
Meshtastic by Paul Gariepy KC9MNE
Here is the link for the slide show of KC9MNE’s presentation on Meshtastic:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sZOYeo9djrnSQjG3vp6L5vA_LxXvd-yMTfQzuQ0X0eo/edit?usp=drivesdk
Prepared by Lyle Giese (W9LRG), MCWA Secretary.
MCWA Meeting Minutes of November 6th, 2024
President Dan Larson (KD9M) called the November 2024 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) to order at 7:01PM. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Dave K9AT.
Board members present were:
Attended:
President Dan Larson KD9M
VP Wendell Smith N9REP
Treasurer Joe Robin N9OK
Secetary Lyle Giese W9LRG
Director Glenn Otto K9OK
Director Gary Kaatz W9TD
Past President Ralph Iden WB9ICF
There were 31 members in attendance and 4 via Zoom with 0 guests:
President Dan KD9M thanked the outgoing board members for their contributions to the club:
Andrew White K9AJW
Bob Temes KD9IDD
Kent Dulaney K9KMD
Awards and license upgrades
None.
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the October 2024 meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Gary W9TD moved to accept the minutes, 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 October.
Opening Balance $9841.57 10-01-2024
Deposits $69.70
Interest $.0.08
Expenditures $66.11 (DigitalOcean, Google Drive, PO Box, WinTrust Bank)
Final Balance $9,845.24 10/31/24
Total membership is 154 members. That includes 138 Full members , 14 Family members and 2 associate members.
Dave K9AT moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and Dave NT9E seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the treasurer’s report was approved.
Dues are payable via PayPal MCWAPaypal@gmail.com $10/year. Be sure to select ‘Sending to a friend’ when paying via PayPal. Checks can be sent to:
Joe Robin N9OK
4410 Billingsgate Lane
Woodstock, IL 60098
Be sure to include your call sign!
Old Business
None
New Business
Dan KD9M is working on scheduling a BoD meeting.
New Updates from Membership
At Field Day in June, the production members from the show “Static” (running at that time at the Raue Center for the Arts) visited the 415 ARC Field Day activities where they were introuduced to all aspects of amateur radio. Many of the attendees tried their had on CW and also made their first phone contacts. They made a montage of items from their show, including a signed playbill. The montage was presented to Gary (W9GD).
Future Events
Gary W9GD announced that the 415 group will hold a Winter Field event Jan 25th & 26th at his place in Crystal Lake. All are welcome. He requests that you contact him to confirm you are coming to this event, so they can plan operators and food!
Hamfests
Sterling Rock Falls Amateur Radio Society Hamfest , Dixon, IL 03/16/2025
Tri-County WI HamFest 2025, Fort Atkinson, WI 03/16/2025
Contests and Activities
NOVEMBER
ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW 2100Z, Nov 2 to 0300Z, Nov 4
WAE DX Contest, RTTY 0000Z, Nov 9 to 2359Z, Nov 10
10-10 Int. Fall Contest, Digital 0001Z, Nov 9 to 2359Z, Nov 10
ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB 2100Z, Nov 16 to 0300Z, Nov 18
CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CW 0000Z, Nov 23 to 2400Z, Nov 24
Wrap up
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, December 3rd, 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 a report on the recent Fox Hunt.
Sam KC9GPY motioned to adjourn, and Joe N9OK seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM.
Prepared by Lyle Giese (W9LRG), MCWA Secretary.
MCWA Meeting Minutes of October 1st, 2024
President Dan Larson (KD9M) called the October 2024 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) to order at 7:00PM. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Dave Holmgren (K9AT).
Board members present were: Director – Glenn Otto (K9OK), Director – Gary Kaatz (W9TD), Secretary – Andrew White (K9AJW), Treasurer – Bob Temes (KD9IDD), Vice President – Wendell Smith (N9REP), President – Dan Larson (KD9M) and Past President – Ralph Iden (WB9ICF)
There were 41 members in attendance with 3 guests:
Mark KE9BGW (New Member)
Joy KE9BME (New Member)
Sonja Delpalazzo
Awards and license upgrades
None.
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the September 2024 meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) moved to accept the minutes Bob Temes (KD9IDD) seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.
Membership and Financial Reports
Bob Temes (KD9IDD) presented the membership and financial reports for September.
Opening Balance $9,980.50 2024-9-1
Deposits/Interest/Credits $0.09 (Interest)
Expenditures $209.02 (DigitalOcean, Zoom, PO Box)
Final Balance $9,841.57 2024-9-30
Total membership is 151 members. That includes 149 full members and 2 associate members.
John Kalenowsky (K9JK) moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and Dave Whaley (NT9E) seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the treasurer’s report was approved.
Old Business
2024 Nomination Committee
Wendell Smith – N9REP
Glenn Otto – K9OK
Gary Kaatz – W9TD
New Business
Election Part 2 – Nominees:
Secretary – Lyle Giese (W9LRG)
Treasurer – Joe Robin (N9OK)
Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) moved for nominations to be closed and the open positions to be filled by acclamation. With no one opposed, the vote passed.
Ralph Iden (WB9ICF) received an e-mail a couple weeks back from one of our members asking what different members are using for their primary HF rig. The data is hard to parse out, but he is going to put together a PDF with the results. In summary, there were 45 responses with the largest brand being Yaesu followed by both Kenwood and ICOM.
New Updates from Membership
Ralph Iden (WB9ICF) brought a few freebies from his parts store that are sitting in the back of the room for anyone that is interested. He has VGA cables and a few other things. In future meetings, he’ll bring a bunch of working USB cables.
Joe Robin (N9OK) participated in the CQ Worldwide RTTY contest over the weekend. He worked several MCWA members during the contest.
Lyle Giese (W9LRG) put together one of Ralph’s tape measure yagis and posted his results to his webpage. http://www.w9lrg.com/2m_tm.html
Future Events
Hamfests
MRC91 Friendly Fest 11/02/2024
Milwaukee, WI
Tri-County Wi HamFest 2025 3/16/2025
Fort Atkinson, WI
Contests and Activities
OCTOBER
California QSO Party 1600Z, Oct 5 to 2159Z, Oct 6
Makrothen RTTY Contest 0000Z, Oct 12 to 1559Z, Oct 13
10-10 Int. Fall Contest, CW 0001Z, Oct 19 to 2359Z, Oct 20
Stew Perry Topband Challenge 1500Z, Oct 19 to 1500Z, Oct 20
Illinois QSO Party 1700Z, Oct 20 to 0100Z, Oct 21
ARRL School Club Roundup 1300Z, Oct 21 to 2359Z, Oct 25
CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB 0000Z, Oct 26 to 2400Z, Oct 27
NOVEMBER
ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW 2100Z, Nov 2 to 0300Z, Nov 4
WAE DX Contest, RTTY 0000Z, Nov 9 to 2359Z, Nov 10
10-10 Int. Fall Contest, Digital 0001Z, Nov 9 to 2359Z, Nov 10
ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB 2100Z, Nov 16 to 0300Z, Nov 18
CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CW 0000Z, Nov 23 to 2400Z, Nov 24
Wrap up
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, November 5th, 2024, 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.
Dave Whaley (NT9E) motioned to adjourn, and Joe Robin (N9OK) seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:48PM.
Prepared by Andrew White (K9AJW), MCWA Secretary.