Subject: McHenry County Wireless Association

Regular Meeting minutes – January 2009

The regular meeting of the MCWA was called to order Tuesday January 6, 2009 at 19:35 hrs local at the Nunda Township Hall north of Crystal Lake by Dave, KA9OZP club vice-president.

Introductions – Around-the-room self introductions was led by Dave, KA9OZP with everyone responding with name, call, QTH and the year that they were first licensed.

Secretary’s Report – The December (08) minutes were read by Kent, K9KMD club secretary.  Motion was made to accept the report by Wendell, N9REP and seconded by Marty, W9MLP. Motion carried.

Treasure’s Report –   Marty, W9MLP Club Treasure reported the balance of $2,937.96 in the treasury with $260 received during December and $0.97 interest made on the account.  Motion was made to accept the report by Kent, K9KMD and seconded by Ken, KB9I.  Motion carried.

Marty also reported that the club has 36 paid members plus 2 more tonight (totaling 38).

Amateur Radio History – None this month.

News Letter – Jerry, N9AVY reported that the news letter was sent out.  Jerry indicated the News Letter needs news to include.  Anyone wishing to add items should send them to Jerry at mcwanews@ gamil.com.

Hamfests – The Wheaton Community Radio Amateurs Mid-winter Hamfest, Sunday, January 25^th, 2009 at the Kane County Fair Grounds located on Randall Road in St Charles, IL just south of IL Rt 64 (or North Avenue).  The Hamfest runs from between 8:00am and 1:00pm.  Potential gathering for breakfast before the Hamfest in Lake In The Hills at Burnt Toast about 6 or 6:30am.

 KB9I Repeater Report – Ken, KB9I reported that it could be February before the power company can react to the modifications that need to be made to the insulators that are believed to be causing the interference.  The signal is still “S9”.  Ken sent out pictures of the insulators.

DX Reports – E44M (Palestine) is on  in the mornings, reports also on TTY. They are going to be on 18 meters.   Desecheo Island, KP5 (rare Island just off Porto Rico) is going to be on.  6 meters was hot for about 3 days around Christmas.  Jim, K9PPY said 160 meters has also been hot. He had 77 countries with < 200 Watts on CW using an inverted “V”.  Jerry, N9AVY reported there were 28 zero sunspot days during December.  Tom, KA6KHK asked if any DX packet repeaters still existed.

General – Ken, KB9I said he got a great book for Christmas.  “50 Years of Amateur Radio”.  It shows older radios and also comes with a calendar.  Well recommended for $ 39.95.   He also mentioned he received another good book, “ The Travel Book” which is about various countries and how to visit.  It is $ 30.00.

Alan, K9HOG inquired if the Callbook still made the “heading’ map (shows optimal antenna rotator direction from the US).   John, KA9CAR thought he may have one from ARRL or CQ.

Dave, KA9OZP said because of the elections, the next meeting, (Tuesday, February 3,) will be at the Woodstock Free Methodist Church located on Route 47 in Woodstock. 

Old Business –

Badges – Jerry, N9AVY said Avery makes clip-on at $80 - $90 per 100. or we could just use clear plastic clip-ons.  The clear plastic clip-on could be returned to a box at the end of each meeting and made available for future meetings.  John, KA9CAR suggested placing the paid-up dues year on the individual badges.  Jerry said he sent a request to the “Sign Man” in Baton Rouge, LA but has not heard back as of yet.  Someone suggested maybe do both (low cost clear plastic and something more permanent).  Tom, KA6KHK made motion to table until the February meeting, seconded by John, KA9CAR.  Motion passed.

New Business –

Marty, W9MLP made a motion to donate $50 to the Free Methodist Church for the use of the church for the February meeting.  Seconded by Tom, KA6KHK.  Motion passed.

Hank, KB9ASC announced he had 500 feet of ground wire and a pair of diag’s that  members could have.  Many took him up on it.  [Thanks, K9KMD!]

Wendell, N9REP said the VHF/UHF contest was coming up in two weeks (Jan, 17/18) and asked attendees to participate by just giving their call, signal report and grid square.  Most of us are in grid square EN52.  Frequencies are 146.535 and 446.000 simplex, on FM, SSB, and also on 6 meters.  He will send out information.

John, W9ZE announced that the McHenry County ARES/RACES organization has scheduled training for ARES.  John explained the differences between ARES and RACES and invited check-ins to the weekly drills (2 meter nets) held at 8:00am on Saturdays and 8:00pm on Monday nights.

Jack, W9MU announced the next meeting will be on HF radios and is looking for those to bring in older transceivers.

Wendell, N9REP asked if we should continue with the monthly raffle.  He needs help.  He would like someone to help with the purchase of the items at hamfests or other places.  Please contact Wendell if you can help.

Evening Program – Jim, K9PPY our special guest presented the evening program on IOTA.  He told about and showed many wonderful pictures of the trip and operating event he and several other hams did at Deer Island, Alaska.  IOTA is, Islands On The Air, and is sponsored by the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB).  Jim explained there are about 1100 islands that have qualified to be an IOTA.  The IOTA organization is big in Europe and has several thousand members worldwide. To qualify, each island is visited, numbered, and registered in order to be an IOTA.  Jim went on to show many great pictures of the trip in getting to the island and camp site on the island.  He told about the very heavy rain storm they all went through.  They were there for four days and made over 4500 contacts.  Great presentation!

The meeting ended at ~ 9:20pm 

A total of 28 with 8 guests were in attendance.

Respectfully submitted,

Kent, K9KMD – club secretary.  January 6, 2009