Category: Minutes

John Dewey KA9CAR: Call to order
Welcome to MCWA
Pledge of allegiance Dave (NT9E)
Introduction of new president, Mike WB8BZK

Mike Metroka WB8BZK:
Big Thank You to outgoing President, Officers & BOD Member
Introductions of incoming Officers and BOD Member
President – Mike Metroka (WB9BZK)
Vice President – Mike Ricketts (ND9G)
Treasure – Joe Robin (N9OK)
Secretary – Dan Larson (KD9AHQ)
Director – Roger Scott (KF9D)
Director – Jack Hudson (W9MU)
Past President – John Dewey (KA9CAR)

We held an Officer/BOD Transition Meeting to help quickly bring on the new members and to review roles and responsibilities of the various positions
Welcome to guests and/or visitors – 2 visitors Ralph (WB9ICF) Jerry (KC9TLM)
Any License Upgrades since last meeting?
Introductions  round table style
Please sign in on the forms going around
Roger KF9D’s secretary’s minutes posted on http://www.mcwa.org/minutes.htm  motion to approve (K9JK) And second (N9OK)
Joe N9OK’s treasurer’s report Starting of $4575.72 dues $10 expense $200 ARRL insurance postage reimbursement $7.08 interest earned $0.35 balance of $4378.99 remain at 90 members – motion to approve And second?
Jeff KC9WSJ – club library There is a link on the web site.
Club reflector – http://groups.yahoo.com/group/K9RN/
Jerry N9AVY publishes club newsletter which includes info on VE testing info, ham fests, contests, & DXpeditions.
We are in need of someone to head up our newsletter. It doesn’t have to be as extensive as Jerry’s works of art.
MCWA dues ($10) for 2017-18 are now being collected. See Joe N9OK
Tom W9NBG is our new Program Chair. Please contact Tom or any Officer if you would be interested in making a presentation at one of our future club meetings.

Announcements
Fifty hams to Puerto Rico to help out with Hurricane relief
SATURN recruiting people for hurricane relief support as well. (KA9CAR)
Jamboree On The Air: John KA9CAR and other will be operating from the Crystal Lake Boy Scouts of America shop on the afternoon of Saturday October 21. Everyone is welcome to drop by. On route 31 north of Crystal lake from 1-3 PM 600 N. Illinois Crystal Lake. KD9ESL will be doing it out of his house
Mike (WB8BZK) found a camporee at veterans acers 200 + scouts. Will get more information to give to Gary (KD9FML) more info will be sent out to K9RN reflector.
New ham bands 630 and 2200 meters bands need to sign up FCC registration page.
Dave (NT9E) QRZ page will give your lat long for this info.
All encouraged to register.
Ham fest/Conference reports/announcements (W9DXCC)
MCWA monthly breakfast 1st Saturday every month. Green Street Cafe.
Facebook page Dave will get data IE screen shot will be sent to Mike (WB8BZK)
MCWA VE Testing (KB9OLD)MCWB Club Wear Just For You just4ucustom.com Send Scott Carter email.
6 Meter net AKA EN52 net 50.180 USB 1 year anniversary Pierre K9EYE Wed 7:30 to 8:30
Portillo and other pre dinner 5:15 all invited
MCWA Badges $10
NT9E report on monthly breakfast in McHenry
Algonquin Area Ham Breakfast being planned for the end of October TBD October 28th 8AM Golden Corral in Algonquin Ask for comments on band conditions or any interesting contacts
Contest Calendar  Mike WB8BZK
Mike presented list of contest from OCT 4th to NOV 6.
Lots went to W9DXCC was a good time. Around 240 people well attended
Boon county expo – no water no food truck
HRO SuperFest less venders than previous lots of programs were good.
Oct 26 and 27th in Reno NV AMSAT
4th Nov Milwaukee at Elks lodge down from HRO
FT Wayne IN HAM FEST
Great lakes HAM com international speed way.
Other Announcements of interest to the club?

Old business
Thank you note sent to KE9FG for donations
Received 3 QSLs for Field Day on 6meter MIKE will add RST
MCWA Monthly Newsletter Jerry has been done since 78 and 80.

New business
Field Day: Not too early to start planning. We may need to consider a new venue due to the RF Noise Level
Who is interested in FD?
Overall FD Chairperson?
CW Station Leader?
Phone Station Leader?
VHF Station Leader?
Submission & Bonus Points Coordinator?
Any other new business?
New 10GHZ beacon installed south western DeKalb county LEE IL

Any Show and Tell?
Kits and part .com built a 20 and 30 meter 1 watt QRP K9FS.CC page has information.
KC9TLM – 6 meter HENtenna Japanese for strange antenna.
Invitation to pizza and continued discussion  The Cottage, Crystal Lake Ave
After the break we’ll have our Program: Jack W9MU RTTY: Operation and Contesting
Motion to adjourn? Mike (ND9G) And second Dave (NT9E) 20:03
5 – 10 minute Break
Program

Subject: Meeting Minutes of September 5, 2017

The monthly September meeting was called to order by President John KA9CAR at 7:01 p.m. on September 5, 2017 in the Crystal Lake Bank meeting room.

K9RUF led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

President John asked if any visitors were present and Dean, WD9FOO from Algonquin and Warren, KC9IL from Buffalo Grove were introduced to the group.

Introductions around the room followed. Thirty-eight people were in attendance for the meeting.

President John encouraged all to join the club Yahoo reflector, K9RN. Jerry N9AVY is the newsletter editor, who has announced his retirement from publishing in December. A replacement editor is being sought.

The minutes from the August meeting were published for review on the club website by Secretary Roger, KF9D. Dave, NT9E moved to accept the minutes as published, seconded by Kent, K9KMD. The motion passed by voice vote.

Treasurer Joe, N9OK reported a balance of $4575.72 in the club treasury, including $272.29 paid on field day expenses. Paid membership for 2017 stood at 90 at the beginning of the meeting. Jim, N7US made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report, seconded by Mike ND9G. The motion passed by voice vote.

Jeff, KC9WSJ, custodian of the club library, reported that the new books donated last month by K9JKM will be inventoried and made available for loan.

President John also reminded the group that a Program Chairman is still being sought, and encouraged members with program ideas to email them to a board member. Tom, W9NBG offered to co-chair if another member would assist.

The club constitution states that election of officers will be held at the September meeting. Jim, N7US is the appointed nominating committee chairman, and along with the 2 directors W9MU and K9EYE, comprise the nominating committee. Jim confirmed that a quorum of paid members were present to conduct elections. Jim presented a slate of candidates for the open positions: President WB8BZK, Vice-President ND9G, Secretary KD9AHQ, Treasurer N9OK, and Director KF9D. Jim then invited nominations from the floor for the positions. KD9FML was nominated for President, but declined the nomination. Since no other nominations were made, a vote was taken on all candidates at once. The vote was unanimous and the officers were declared elected by acclimation.

A VE test session held on August 15th at the Free Methodist Church in Woodstock yielded no licensees.

Dave, NT9E reported that the McHenry breakfast on the first Saturday of September at the Green Street Café was attended by 13 people.

The members were reminded of the weekly 6 meter net on Wednesday night at 7-9 pm on 50.180 MHz.

An upcoming contest summary was given by Mike, WB8BZK, with September being the unofficial start of the fall contest season. The major September contests include CQWW RTTY, WAE DX SSB, BARTG RTTY Sprint, State QSO Parties in 7 states, ARRL VHF 6 m and up, EME Weekend, ARRL 10 GHz and up, and the VHF Fall Sprints. See QST for full details.

President John reported that 3 QSLs for 6 meters Field Day contacts had been received for K9RN.

Former member Robert Tirk, KE9FG has donated a Kenwood TM221 2 meter radio and an Alinco DX70 HF radio to the club. President John suggested that the equipment be considered part of the library and be temporarily loaned out to members or new hams having a need for it.

Jack W9MU reminded members of the upcoming Contest University and DX University events to be held in conjunction with the W9DXCC Convention at the Schaumburg Hyatt Regency on Sept 15-16.

For Show and Tell, Paul W9DWP showed a Tytera dual band DMR radio. Paul also announced that the 2 meter VARA repeater has a new antenna and greatly improved coverage on 146.79 Mhz.

The club was reminded of upcoming hamfests at Belvedere on September 23rd and the Peoria Superfest on September 16-17.

Ed, K9TX has a Yaesu SWR and power meter and an MFJ 259 antenna analyzer as part of an estate sale.

Everyone was invited to enjoy pizza at the Cottage restaurant following the meeting.

A program is needed for next month. Following a suggestion from the members, Jack W9MU volunteered to do a program on RTTY and RTTY contesting.

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by K9JK and seconded by K9KMD. The meeting was adjourned at 7:39 pm.

After a short break, the club heard a program on digital modes JT65 and FT8 from Dave NT9E and Gary KD9FML. Gary also gave a demonstration of the modes by operating his home station remotely and making several contacts.

Respectfully Submitted,
Roger Scott, KF9D, MCWA Secretary

Subject: Meeting Minutes of August 1, 2017

The monthly August meeting was called to order by President John KA9CAR at 7:00 p.m. on August 1, 2017 in the Crystal Lake Bank meeting room.

K9RUF led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

President John asked if any visitors were present and John, N9SPG from Spring Grove was introduced to the group.

Introductions around the room followed. Thirty people were in attendance for the meeting.

President John encouraged all to join the club Yahoo reflector, K9RN. Jerry N9AVY is the newsletter editor, who has announced his retirement from publishing in December. A replacement editor is being sought.

The minutes from the June meeting (no July meeting) were published for review on the club website by Secretary Roger, KF9D. Dave, KA9OZP moved to accept the minutes as published, seconded by Kent, K9KMD. The motion passed by voice vote.

Treasurer Joe, N9OK reported a balance of $4847.62 in the club treasury, after field day expenses. Paid membership for 2017 stood at 90 at the beginning of the meeting. John, K9JK made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report, seconded by Dave, NT9E. The motion passed by voice vote.

Jeff, KC9WSJ, custodian of the club library, was not present for a report. Mike WB8BZK will attempt to contact Jeff as he has been absent for several meetings.

President John also reminded the group that a Program Chairman is still being sought, and encouraged members with program ideas to email them to a board member.

Mike, WB8BZK gave a wrap-up on the club Field Day activity. The group made 1682 QSOs total on phone and cw from the 2 HF and one VHF stations. Along with 1160 bonus points, an entry claiming a score of 7050 points was submitted to the ARRL.

Election of Officers will be held at the September meeting. N7US is the chairman of the nominating committee, and one-third of the membership needs to be present at the September meeting to hold elections. See Jim if you are interested in holding an office for the upcoming year.

A VE test session will be held on August 15th at the Free Methodist Church in Woodstock. See the club webpage for further details.

Dave, NT9E reminded members of the McHenry breakfast on the first Saturday of each month at the Green Street Café. The next breakfast will be held on August 5th.

The members were reminded of the weekly 6 meter net on Wednesday night at 7 pm on 50.180 MHz. (new frequency)

An upcoming contest summary was given by Mike, WB8BZK. The major August contests include the ARRL 222 and up contest, NAQP cw, WAE cw, 10 Ghz and up, NAQP SSB, Rookie RTTY Roundup, August 21st Solar Eclipse QSO Party, and the Fall Sprints. See QST for full details.

For Show and Tell, President John had a “Big Bertha” soldering iron to give away to the first taker, along with showing a trailer hitch antenna mount and push-on PL259 connectors. Dave, K9RUF showed a new Yaesu FT70 HT which covers System Fusion. Hank, KB9ASC has a 2 meter fixed antenna for sale. Mike, KC9Q showed a dual band J-pole antenna which he had constructed.

Mike ND9G announced that his tower has been erected with antennas to follow.

John, K9JK reported that he and WB8BZK had attended the Central States VHF Society Conference in Albuquerque.

Everyone was invited to enjoy pizza at the Cottage restaurant following the meeting.

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by ND9G and seconded by K9JK. The meeting was adjourned at 7:48 pm.

After a short break, the club heard a program on Satellite Communication by JoAnne, K9JKM

Respectfully Submitted,
Roger Scott, KF9D, MCWA Secretary

No meeting this month due to Field Day.

Subject: Meeting Minutes of June 6, 2017

The monthly June meeting was called to order by President John KA9CAR at 7:00 p.m. on June 6, 2017 in the Crystal Lake Bank meeting room.

K9RUF led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

President John asked if any visitors were present and George, KC9ZRB, from Crystal Lake and Gary, K9GLA, from Lakemoor were introduced to the group.

Introductions around the room followed. Thirty-one people were in attendance for the meeting.

President John informed the group of the passing of former member Dennis Schulmeister, K9WMS, on May 22, 2017. A moment of silence for Dennis was observed.

President John encouraged all to join the club Yahoo reflector, K9RN. Jerry N9AVY is the newsletter editor, who has announced his retirement from publishing in December. A replacement editor is being sought.

The minutes from the May meeting were published for review on the club website by Secretary Roger, KF9D. Dave, NT9E moved to accept the minutes as published, seconded by Pierre, K9EYE. The motion passed by voice vote.

Treasurer Joe, N9OK reported a balance of $5009.26 in the club treasury. Paid membership for 2017 stood at 85 at the beginning of the meeting. John, K9JK made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report, seconded by Mike, KC9Q. The motion passed by voice vote.

Jeff, KC9WSJ, custodian of the club library, was not present for a report.

President John reminded the club that the July regular meeting will be at noon of Field Day on June 24th. It will be a social with no business meeting. President John said that a volunteer is still being sought to coordinate the family picnic.

President John also reminded the group that a Program Chairman is still being sought as well as a volunteer to chair the Nominating Committee for the upcoming September election of officers.

Dave, NT9E gave a report on the McHenry breakfast on the first Saturday of June. There were 13 in attendance at the Green Street Café. The next breakfast will be held on July 1st.

The members were reminded of the weekly 6 meter net on Wednesday night at 7 pm on 50.180 MHz. (new frequency)
An upcoming contest summary was given by Mike, WB8BZK. The major June contests include the June VHF Contest, Stew Perry Contest, and Field Day. In July, the major events are IARU HF Contest and CQWW VHF Contest. See QST for full details.

The 6 Meter Club hamfest held at the DuPage County Fairgrounds will be held on Sunday June 18th. John, K9JK has advance tickets available for sale.

Several members shared their experiences at the new location for the Dayton Hamvention in Xenia, Ohio. The reports were generally favorable.

The planned program for August is Satellite Communications by JoAnne, K9JKM.

For Show and Tell, Dave K9RUF showed a new Kenwood tri-band HT with D-Star. Dave also showed a digital radio gateway/hotspot from SharkRF that supports all 3 digital modes.

Tom KD6KHK has a 17 meter beam from Force 12 available for sale.
Everyone was invited to enjoy pizza at the Cottage restaurant following the meeting.

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by K9JK and seconded by ND9G. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm.

After a short break, the club heard a discussion of the Field Day plans from the station captains: cw station KA9CAR, phone station KD9FML, VHF station WB8BZK, and GOTA station K9EYE.

Respectfully Submitted,
Roger Scott, KF9D, MCWA Secretary