McHenry County Wireless Association
Propagation report as of Tuesday, April 14, 2026 10:02 AM CDT
MCWA Meeting Minutes of April 7, 2026
DRAFT
VP Jim N7US called the April 7, 2026 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) order at 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 meeting.
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 and 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.
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 24th. 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 20th 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 16th is the target date. More info to follow.
A POTA campout is planned for the 1st 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.
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 7th in points world wide, 1st 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 16th 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 16th is the target date. More info to follow.
A POTA campout is planned for the 1st 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
MCWA Meeting Minutes of February 3, 2026
President Dan KD9M called the Feb 3, 2026 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 Jim McDonald N7US, Treasurer Joe Robin N9OK, Secretary Lyle Giese W9LRG(Zoom), Past President Ralph Iden WB9ICF
Absent: Director Gary Kaatz W9TD, Director Bob Smetana KE9CFO
There were 34 members in attendance with 1 guests and 11 members via Zoom
Guests
Ken Hoffman No License
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the January meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Motion to accept the minutes Sam KC9GPY. 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 January 2026.
Opening Balance $10,133.02 as of Dec 31, 2025
Deposits $169.70 Dues minus fee coverage
Expenditures $6.62 Digital Ocean
$1.50 CLBT Bank Fee for remote deposit
$270.00 Field Day Reservation at Rush Creek
$278.50 Total Expenditures
Final Balance $10,024,50 Jan 31, 2026
Total membership is 148 members. That includes 132 (voting) Members, 14 Family (voting) members and 2 associate members.
John K9JK 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.
Recent Events
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 16th 7pm. Use the reflector Field Day subgroup if you are interested in helping this effort.
The 415 group(https://www.the415arc.com) held Winter Field day on Jan 24 & Jan 25 at Gary W9GD’s farm, 3208 Bay Road, Crystal Lake, IL. Gary W9GD gave a detailed report of the activitities that weekend.
Plans are continuing for a picnic for MCWA and SUHFARS group. Aug 16th is the target date. More info to follow.
Contest Activities
School Club Roundup Feb 9 – 13
International DX – CW March 7 -8
Rookie Roundup – SSB April 19
Old Business
New Business
Recents new activities by membership
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, March 3, 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, Dave NT9E seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Program
Ham Radio & Rocket Sciences
Sevim Ablay DL/WB8BHN/P
Posted by Lyle Giese(W9LRG), Secretary, MCWA
MCWA Meeting Minutes of January 6, 2026
President Dan KD9M called the Jan 6, 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(zoom), Treasurer Joe Robin N9OK, Secretary Lyle Giese W9LRG, Director Gary Kaatz W9TD, Director Bob Smetana KE9CFO, Past President Ralph Iden WB9ICF
There were 32 members in attendance with 2 guests and 10 members via Zoom
Guests
Sue, no license
Erich W9RX(zoom)
Nichole, no license(zoom)
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the December meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Motion to accept the minutes Sam KC9GPY. 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 December 2025.
Opening Balance $10,120.29 as of Nov 29, 2025
Deposits $11.50 Dues minus fee coverage
Expenditures $98.77
$6.62 Digital Ocean
$0.50 CLBT Bank Fee for remote deposit
$91.65 Ralph WB9ICF for Dec Meeting
Final Balance $10,133.02 Dec 31, 2025
Total membership is 148 members. That includes 132 (voting) Members, 14 Family (voting) members and 2 associate members.
Ralph WB9ICF 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
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/
McHenry County RACES(mcraces.org) is working on getting a Winter Field day operation going also.
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 Jan 19th 7pm. Use the reflector Field Day subgroup if you are interested in helping this effort.
The 415 group(https://www.the415arc.com) will hosting Winter Field day on Jan 24 & Jan 25 at Gary W9GD’s farm, 3208 Bay Road, Crystal Lake, IL All interested persons are welcome, licensed or non-licensed.
Contest Activities
January VHF Jan 18 – 20
BARTG RTTY Sprint Jan 24 -25
Winter Field Day Jan 24-25
N American SSB Sprint Feb 1
School Club Roundup Feb 9 – 13
International DX – CW March 7 -8
Rookie Roundup – SSB April 19
Old Business
New Business
Recents new activities by membership
Joe N9OK talked about assemblying a new QMX QRP rig (80, 60, 40, 30, and 20m) 5 watt transceiver).
Mike WB8BZK is participating in a year long America 250 event. More info on this event can be found at https://www.arrl.org/america250-was/
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at the Algonquin Township meeting room. Open “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM.
Ralph WB9ICF made a motion to adjourn, Joe N9OK seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Program
ARISS ISS Contact Report
Glenn K9OK Angelo KD9QVW Dave K9AT Erich W9RX, Nichole Principal @ Lincoln Magnet School
Posted by Lyle Giese(W9LRG), Secretary, MCWA
MCWA Meeting Minutes of December 2, 2025
VP Jim N7US called the Dec 2, 2025 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) order at 7:04 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
Absent: President Dan Larson KD9M, Director Bob Smetana KE9CFO
There were 32 members in attendance with 2 guests and 3 members via Zoom
Guests
Warren Pugh KC9IL
Mike Simmons N9GHP
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the November meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Motion to accept the minutes Sam KC9GPY. 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 October 2025.
Opening Balance $9,518.01 as of Nov 1, 2025
Deposits $643.88 Dues
Expenditures $41.60
$6.62 Digital Ocean
$0.50 CLBT Bank Fee for remote deposit
$34.48 N9OK money deposited here by FB, returned to N9OK
Final Balance $10,120.29 Nov 28, 2025
Total membership is 147 members. That includes 131 (voting) Members, 14 Family (voting) members and 2 associate members.
Erich KC9CUK 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
Amateur Radio Events also publishes a list at:
https://www.amateurradioevents.com/
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.
Glen N9OK, Angelo KD9QVW, Dave K9At and Erich W9RX are planning an ISS school contact in Springfield on Dec 5th 9:29am. Live feed will be available at https://live.ariss.org Erich W9RX formerly lived in this area and recruited his friends up here to assist in this contact.
Contest Activities
160 Meter Dec 5-7
10 Meter Dec 13-14
Rookie Roundup – CW Dec 21
Stew Perry Topband Challenge Dec 27-28
Straight key Night Jan 1
Kids Day Jan 4
RTTY Roundup Jan 4 -5
January VHF Jan 18 – 20
Old Business
New Business
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at the Algonquin Township meeting room. Open “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM.
John K9JK made a motion to adjourn, John W9JM seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Program
Show and Tell
Door Prizes
Portilos gift cards
Loren K3RFC
Aidan W9POG
Joe KD9KTA
ARRL calendar
Glenn K9OK
Posted by Lyle Giese(W9LRG), Secretary, MCWA