METRO DX CLUB MEETING MINUTES – February 20, 2009

Tonight’s meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM by President Bob Adamitis K9MDO.  The minutes of the November meeting were read by Sec/Treas Jack Nienhaus W9NJB along with a report on the Annual Winterfest Banquet that took place on January 16^th.  In addition the financial report was given.  All reports were approved by the members present.

John Holmes W9ILY then reported on the club and club members’ standings in recent contests.  In the CQWWSSB contest N9AKR led club members with 207,576 points followed by N9LAH with 71,840 points.  In the CQWWCW contest W9OA scored 392,916 points and K9CJ with 114,390 points. N9WK brought up the rear in both contests in Bill’s first contest activity in a very long time.  In the CQWW160 meter contest Metro aced the second from the last position with 21,270 points.  W9ILY explained that while member N9WK lives in Oshkosh he is within the allowable distance to be included in some club contest submissions.

A request for a donation to a small Dxpedition was received and it was decided that no action would be taken.

An application for membership was received from Patrick Skerrett W9PDS, but as he was not at the meeting we were unable to vote on his membership.  Try to make the March meeting Pat.

Old Business:  In the November meeting it was tentatively decided to have a club competition during the ARRL International DX Contest on March 7-8 at the QTH of AF9H Patti and AI9L Jess Colvin in Braceville , IL .  However it appears there isn’t sufficient time and the uncertainty of the weather to take on that operation.  It was suggested that a better time might be the 2^nd weekend of July for the IARU World Championship.

Bob N9AKR volunteered to provide refreshments for the March meeting and will be the Refreshments Chairman for future meetings.

H&W:  Jerry K9PY reported that Palmer Hall NS7I living in Scottsdale, AZ, an old time Metro DX Club member, had suffered a stroke and was now in hospice and not expected to recover.   This info came from Palmer’s son Eric Hall who now holds K9GY.  Roger K9RB in Orange Park , FL has an infection in his chest and will need surgery. 

John W9ILY attended the Orlando Hamfest and met up with Metro members Roger K9RB and world DX’er “Wild Bill” Beyer N2WB who passed on his best wishes to club members.  N2WB, W9ILY and K9MDO are talking about their next DXpedition and seem to have the location just about agreed upon.

A  Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was given by the group and the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM .

A video “9X0R Rwanda 2008” was shown.  This DXpedition is also featured in the March 2009 issue of QST.  The editing of this video was not up to the usual standards.

Respectfully submitted by Jack Nienhaus W9NJB Secretary/Treasurer

Members present tonight were: W9ILY, K9BWQ & XYL Delores, AF9H, AI9L, N9ORD, K9PY, N9AKR, K9MDO and W9NJB.