Metro DX Club Meeting Minutes

JULY 15, 2016

The meeting was called to order by President Jim N9TK, with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at 19:42.

In attendance, besides Jim were John W9ILY, John K9DRS, Bob K9MDO, Bob K9CJ, Matt KA9BBQ, Jerry K9PY, Phil N9LAH, Mel K9ZAV, Brian WD9HSY, Lou ACØX, Jim NV9X, Lee WA9LEY, Mike K9LSH, Jeff KD9APD and guest Jim W9JPR.

OLD BUSINESS:

Health and Welfare: Nothing to report

The MINUTES as distributed of the previous meeting were moved approved by K9MDO and seconded by KA9BBQ.

The TREASURERS REPORT was distributed by John, W9ILY. The amount of $920.47 is available for donations. Income of $30.00 was from dues. Expenses of $616 were incurred for donations to NCDXF and INDEXA, postage and web costs. Letters from the donation recipients at NCDXF and INDEXA were read. A motion to approve the treasurer's report was made by K9DRS and seconded by KA9BBQ. Motion approved.

NO WUST report this month. . FIELD DAY REPORT: The Metro DX Club did not participate in Field Day this year due to failure of the cooling system in the trailer.

Jim W9JPR, Field Day Chairman for HAMFESTERS gave a report on the dismal operating conditions that club encountered. They made over 800 contacts with 4 stations.

K9CJ worked from home with 570 contacts.

CONTEST RESULTS:

W9ILY placed 3rd in the USA on 15 meters in the CQWW WPX RTTY with Metro finishing 28th out of 40 club entries.

In NAQP SSB, the club finished in 44th place of 88 entries with five participants.

In the affiliated club completion last fall on 10 meters, we placed 26th of 43 entries with three participants.

In the ARRL RTTY Roundup, Metro finished fourth out of nine club entries with six participants.

The Metro DX Club sponsored the North American CQDX Marathon Plaque for 2015. A copy of the plaque with an acknowledgement from the winner was received and passed around to the members. A motion was made by K9PY and seconded by K9MDO to provide the plaque for the next two years. Motion approved.

NEW BUSINESS

The annual club picnic will be at Noon on August 6th at the QTH of N9LAH in Chebanse. Our picnic chairman is K9TP.

A joint NIDXA-Metro DX Club get together is scheduled at the Moran Athletic Club in Joliet on Friday August 12th. A pre-meeting dinner will be organized by K9NU at Merichkas.at $20 per person.

The EOC antenna is still on hold pending an antenna decision. Further thoughts were presented on installation.

Special Event Station: We will operate a Special Event Station honoring Walter Cronkite's 100th anniversary of his birth. We have requested the call W9C which we will have for one week between October 31st and November 6th. Suggestions for scheduling operators was discussed. Ten club members are interested in operating. KA9BBQ will assist with the graphic design of the certificate and QSL card. Ideas were presented on distributing the certificate.

General Discussion:

A discussion on ARRL liability at $200 per year resulted in a renewal of the policy by a motion from K9CJ and seconded by N9LAH. Coverage includes availability of alcoholic beverages.

Program ideas are welcome.

The club can be a resource to your family in disposing of your equipment.

QSL Cards received from the W9TY DIAMOND MINE SPECIAL EVENT were passed around.

New member applications were received from Nick Berg K9NB who has confirmed 338 of 339 worked entities. Also at the meeting Mel K9ZAV submitted his membership application.

K9LSH hopes to meet amateurs on his fall cruise. He will tour Azores, London and Lisbon. If you know of a ham he can share coffee or wine, please contact Mike. A local radio club can be a good way to start.

Following a motion to adjourn by KA9BBQ and seconded by K9PY, the meeting was called to a CLOSE at 20:38.

An NPOTA map was on display from KA9BBQ.

Following a short break, Matt KA9BBQ and Lee WA9LEY made a great presentation on ARRL National Parks on the Air (NPOTA).