McHenry County Wireless Association
Propagation report as of Friday, August 14, 2026 7:53 AM CDT
MCWA Meeting Minutes of July 7, 2026
DRAFT
President Dan KD9M called the Aug 4, 2026 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) order at 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,, Director Gary Kaatz W9TD
Absent: None
There were 41 members in attendance with no guests and 8 members via Zoom
Guests
None
New Member
James Witt W9WIT (newly minted General and recently received a new vanity call)
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
Opening Balance $10,284.50 as of June 30, 2026
Deposit $30.00 (Dale KE9FIC, James KE9FZJ, new members), Renewals (Ck 8013 Thomas KD6KHK)
Withdrawals $6.52 Digital Ocean
Final Balance $10,307.88 July 29, 2026
Notes:
Membership
Total membership is 143 members. That includes 127 (voting) Members, 14 Family (voting) 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
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 16th is the target date. More info is on the reflector(https://groups.io)
Oct 11 Ham Radio for Chicago Marathon Contact John W9JM@ARRL.NET to volunteer.
Contest Activities
Mike WB8BZK talked about ARRL’s activities around America 250th anniversary. He also encouraged using the club call sign K9RN for affliated club contacts. Please coordinate the usage of K9RN with John KA9CAR.
Member Activity
Seth KD9TAW has been building Ham station software called Nexus and is looking for users for beta testing. It can be downloaded here: https://github.com/kd9taw/Nexus/releases/latest
More info is available here: https://hamradiotools.io/nexus/
With group discussions here: https://discord.gg/rfBMQesfy
Old Business
New Business
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, Sept 1, 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(Ruffers) K9AT seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:27 PM.
Program
MMANA-GAL Antenna modeling software by Dan KD9M
http://gal-ana.de/basicmm/en/
Posted by Lyle Giese(W9LRG), Secretary, MCWA
MCWA Meeting Minutes of July 7, 2026
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 $10,284.50 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.
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 16th 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 250th 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.
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 24th. 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 & 22nd 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 15h 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 16th 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.
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.
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 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.
Dave K9AT invited us to a walk at Grant Woods South May 9th 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 15th to May 17th.
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.
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