McHenry County Wireless Association
Propagation report as of Monday, October 13, 2025 9:54 AM CDT
MCWA Meeting Minutes of October 7 2025
DRAFT
VP Jim N7US called the Oct 7, 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:
VP Jim McDonald N7US, Treasurer Joe Robin N9OK, Secretary Lyle Giese W9LRG, Director Gary Kaatz W9TD, Bob Smetana KE9CFO, Past President Ralph Iden WB9ICF
Absent: President Dan Larson KD9M
There were TBA members in attendance with TBA guests and TBA members via Zoom
New Members:
None
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the September meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Motion to accept the minutes Dave NT9E Dave NkAT seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.
Membership and Financial Reports
Joe Robin, N9OK presented the membership and financial reports for September 2025.
Opening Balance $9.884.70 as of August 29, 2025
Deposits $30.00 Dues
Expenditures $465.88
$6.62 Digital Ocean $6.62
$56.42 To KD9M beverages for pizza social
$242.94 To KD9M pizza for pizza social
$159.90 1 year Zoom video service
Final Balance $8,448.82 September 30, 2025
Total membership is 146 members. That includes 130 Voting Members, 14 Family members and 2 associate members.
Sam KC9GPY moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and John K9JK 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.
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
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
The 415 is planning their Winter Field, Jan 24 & 25th, 2026
McHenry County RACES(mcraces.org) is working on getting a Winter Field day operation going also.
MCWA Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for October 21, 2026 at 6:30pm. It will held at the Crystal Lake Bank & Trust, 5100 Northwest Hwy, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Old Business
New Business
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the Algonquin Township meeting room. Open “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM.
Jim W9JWN made a motion to adjourn, Joe N9OK seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:29 PM.
Program
RF Mixers by Gary W9TD
Posted by Lyle Giese(W9LRG), Secretary, MCWA
MCWA Meeting Minutes of September 2, 2025
President Dan Larson (KD9M) called the Sept 2, 2025 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) 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, 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 5 members via Zoom
New Members:
Jacob KG7ZXN
Dennis KI6UNC
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the August meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Motion to accept the minutes Gary W9TD , 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 August 2025.
Opening Balance $10,021.32 as of July 31, 2025
Deposits $70.00 Dues
Expenditures $206.62
$6.62 Digital Ocean $6.62
$200.00 ARRL Club Liability Insurance
Final Balance $9,884.70 August 29, 2025
Total membership is 144 members. That includes 128 Voting Members, 14 Family members and 2 associate members.
Jim K9JT moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and Dave K9AT 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.
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.
Nomination Committee
President – Dan KD9M
VicePresident – Jim N7US
Treasurer – Joe N9OK
Secretary – Lyle W9LRG
Director – Bob KE9CFO
Jim N7US made a motion to accept the nominations. Kieth N9QDS seconded. Since there were no contested positions, An anonymous vote was submitted for the above canidates.
Bob KE9CFO is a Director for two years. Gary W9TD is starting his second year of being a Director.
Recent Events
Dave K9AT reported Hams Over IP(https://hamsoverip.com) is a replacement service since Ham Shack shut down 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
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the Algonquin Township meeting room. Open “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM.
Dave N9TE motioned to adjourn, David KD9VEJ seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Program
Eyeball meeting along with cleanup of the pizza party concluded the meeting tonight.
Posted by Lyle Giese(W9LRG), Secretary, MCWA
MCWA Meeting Minutes of Aug 5, 2025
President Dan Larson (KD9M) called the Aug 5, 2025 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) order at 6:59 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Sam KC9GPY.
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(Z), Past President Ralph Iden WB9ICF
There were 25 members in attendance with 0 guest and 9 members via Zoom
Guests:
Aidan Riley W9POG(extra) arrived as a guest but joined before the end of the meeting.
Welcome Aidan to MCWA!
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the July meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Motion to accept the minutes Gary W9TD, 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 July 2025.
Opening Balance $10,027.94 as of June 30, 2025
Deposits $0.00 Dues
Expenditures $6.62 Digital Ocean $6.62
$22.50 KA9CAR Field Day Reimbursement
Note: Bank returned the above paypal transfer for KA9CAR
Final Balance $10.021.32 July 31, 2025
Total membership is 142 members. That includes 127 Voting Members, 13 Family members and 2 associate members.
moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and 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.
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.
Nomination Committee
President – Dan KD9m
VicePresident –
Treasurer – Joe N9OK
Secretary – Lyle W9LRG
Director –
We need some people to step up and volunteer! The two open positions have low responsibilities and low time needs.
Recent Events
Field Day K9RN
2191 Total QSO’s
1392 CW
33 phone
766 Digital
10,238 total score
Field Day 415 group N9WH
1,112 Total QSO’s
262 CW
517 phone
333 Digital
5,649 total score (taken from Facebook posting 415 group)
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.
Elections will be held at the September meeting. So we are planning our pizza party for September! Come hungry and be sure to vote!
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, September 2, 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, Dave NT9E seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 PM.
Program
From Tubes to Silicone to GAN and SiC – Dan KD9M
Prepared by
Posted by Lyle Giese(W9LRG), Secretary, MCWA
MCWA Meeting Minutes of July 1, 2025
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.
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.
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