McHenry County Wireless Association - Minutes

Subject: McHenry County Wireless Association
Regular Meeting minutes – January 3, 2011

The January Meeting of MCWA was called to order at 7:32pm.

The president called for Introductions.
I counted 42 present but two came later so the final count is 44.

After introductions a motion was made by Marty W9MLP and seconded by by Ed KA9TIN to approve the December club meeting minutes.
The motion passed.
President Mcdonald, N7US asked those who are not on the reflector to sign up. And to please “let us know who you are—“ Just so the club knows who is receiving our reflector messages.
Next, Jim called for a motion to accept the treasurer’s report as published in the club newsletter.
The motion was made by Ken, KB9I and seconded by Cornell and passed unanamously.
Treasurer Berry also urged club members to please send in or bring your dues for this year as soon as possible.
Dx report: Dave KA9OZP reported dx on hf is still mighty fine. South Africa is booming in just before midnight here.
He also noted the 6 meter band was opened just before Christmas. And the sunspot numbers are still rising.
That will keep dx opportunities available.
Cornell then spoke about an upcoming DX-pedition to the country of Malpalo. He pinpointted it’s location off the coast of Columbia.
Then Cornell informed us that the repeater jammer decided to take to the air on (simplex on the repeater output) New Year’s day at 5:30 am. He gave his call KC9ONA. Another person was with him at his “ham station.” He stayed on the repeater for 3 hours playing music, calling some of our club members dirty names and using profane language. Cornell recorded it all and sent the audio files to the FCC and filed a formal complaint with them as well.

Another member gave a positive report on the ARRL straight key night held on New Year’s eve.
There was lots of participation but the varying styles of sending cw sometimes made it difficult to copy.
Then, President Jim informmed us about an upcoming contest called NAQP, qso party.
You have to run 100 wats or less on phone or cw.
The contest is held twice a year, this month phone and cw and next month rtty.
He also briefly mentioned a cw only dx contest held at the end of January on 160 meters.
Under new business: Jim stated that Jerry was selling tickets to the upcoming WCRA midwinter ham fest on Jan. 22. Tickets are $8 each and they include four prize stubs. Also, During the break and before the program the club would hold a drawing and give away two tickets to the upcoming ham fest.
They were won by W9JWNand WS9YVL.

Next, Jim informed us, Ken now is making available permanent MCWA club badges. One kind has a magnetic fastener and the other fasten’s to your shirt with a pin.
These badges are made by a company in Crystal lake and
Ken has some Sample badgeswith him tonight.
They have black lettering with a yellow background and cost ten dollars each.
Cornell is buying two because he has two different call signs!!
Please see Ken right away if you would like to purchase a club badge.
Jim also let us know we were all welcome at our “after meeting” social at the Village Squire in Crystal Lake.
In adition, the club is still looking for program presenters and new program ideas. If you would like to volunteer to host a program please see our program chairman Jack, W9MU or talk with one of the club board members.
And speaking of programs, February’s program will be hosted by Wendell Smith, N9REP.
The program features the century bike ride, a 100 mile marathon to fight hunger.

After the break, Dave NT9E gave an interesting program about how the electircal and electronics systems function in large scale model railroads.

Minutes compiled by Marc Marino WA9YVL.