McHenry County Wireless Association - Minutes

Subject: McHenry County Wireless Association
Regular Meeting minutes – December 6, 2011

The December meeting was called to order on Dec. 6th at 7:33 pm by President, Jim McDonald, N7US.

After introductions, the minutes of the previous meeting were approved as published.

In DX, Dave WA9OZP noted that because of so much good dx there is a ""big problem" right now in that it is very difficult to work domestic hams. Seriously, he also told us 12 and 15 meters were still open 3 hours past sunset. Lots of Asian countries coming through on dx. Also, the web site NG3K.com has lists of various upcoming dx-peditions, links to dx newsletters and other similar information. A club member urged dx chasers to make a special effort to work those hams out in the dx-peditions right now because that opportunity may not occur again for several years.
Cornell offered his "blank files for a challenge" in xls, apparently they are used to keep track of your dx contacts as you log them.
Jim n7us spoke about dx-lab which is a computer program with a similar purpose.

Marc WA9YVL commentted on an article in Popular Communications by Thomas Hood NW7US. In summary it talked about several meetings with scientists who are concerned that the signs that should be occuring to begin the next solar cycle are not present on the sun and haven't been for some time. This may fortell of a very long delay between the current solar cycle and the next cycle.
another Mark, referred us to a web site for current sunspot information, solarham.com.
Jerry encouraged us to participate in the upcoming 10 meter contest. He said he tried it one year just to see how he would do and got a third place certificate.
Steve, n9dci also noted that even if your antenna is not the best match for ten meters you can still dx there right now because the band is wide open.

Under other business: Marty W9MLP, informmed us about a new video from the amaetur Radio Video News. they have a new dvd which includes "the last great Field Day." about the w3a0 field day set up from 2004. Another program on this same dvd is a feature about the paciffic Palasaids Amaetur radio club field day from 1971. The video costs $23, both programs could be used at club meetings and it would be donated to our club library after we used them.

Marty also volunteered to furnish his computer and periferals so we could watch the video at the meeting.

He also let us know that the The Keisler amaetur radio club K5TYP is accepting memberships from anyone who has been previously stationed at the Keisler Air Force Base in Mississippi. For more info contact: Bill Munso k1atp. Or email him at the following: wmunsil@cox.net.
After a short discussion a motion was made by Marty W9MLP and seconded by Ken KB9I to purchase the field day dvd for our club. Then, there was a small discussion about the library and which books of note are available. It was also noted that a person would check out something from the club library and it should be returned at the next meeting. Then, it could be checked out again if no one else has requested it.
Ken, KB9I is in charge of the club library.
Our next meeting will take place on Jan 3 with a program about sound systems for big model trains, hosted by Dave, nt9e.

After the break a program was given by Tom, W9NBG, about dipole antennas.