Metro DX Club Meeting Minutes

March 17, 2017

The meeting was called to order by President Jim N9TK, with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at 19:30.

In attendance, besides Jim were John W9ILY, Thomas N9IHZ, Bob N9ORD, Matt KA9BBQ, Bob K9CJ, Mike K9LSH, Jeff KD9APD, Mark K9TP, Lee WA9LEY and Wayne AC9EF.

Members introduced themselves as we were joined by three visitors, Ed K9EGS, Ron WB9JYZ and Steve K9SGB. Our visitors described their stations and recent activity.

OLD BUSINESS:

Health and Welfare: There was nothing to report.

The MINUTES of the previous meeting were moved to be approved by N9TK and seconded by K9CJ. Minutes approved.

The TREASURERS REPORT was distributed by John, W9ILY. $495.44 is currently available for donations. Income of $929.00 was from dues, donations and WUST Awards. Expenses of $1,295.20 were incurred for postage and donations to Clublog, NCDXF and the 3YØZ DXpedition. A motion to approve the treasurer's report was made and seconded and the report was approved

WUST: No new awards have been issued. W9ILY mentioned our award's having appeared in the Italian ham radio magazine "Radio Rivista".

CONTEST RESULTS:

The Illinois QSO Party results were read by W9ILY.Metro finished #7 out of 19 clubs in the club category with four members participating. WA9LEY had two scores as he had operated both from his home and mobile locations. Certificates were won by K9CS for #5 Fixed Low Power in IL and WA9LEY/M for #4 IL Mobile. A club named the Prime ARA won with 17 participants. This would be good to concentrate on for a club event in 2017. The PRIME club is located near St. Louis. The WPX SSB contest is scheduled for the weekend of March 25-26 and the BARTG RTTY contest is in progress tonight. Several state QSO parties will be held in April.

DUES REPORT: We currently have 43 active paid members, 8 honorary members with one member's dues pending.

NEW BUSINESS

A question had been asked about patches, hats and other apparel. Jim N9TK will research the costs and availability.

A request to help fund a youth ham adventure to Costa Rica had been received and was researched by N9TK. Jim reported on this project and its service over the past few years. A motion was made to donate $50 to this project by K9TP and seconded by KA9BBQ. The motion passed.

Our club donation to the 3YØZ DXpedition was $1,088 thanks to the generosity of our membership. Our club logo will be on their QSL card.

FIELD DAY Bob K9CJ gave a report of the conditions for this year's Field Day operation. The plan is to use the Tinley Park Mental Health grounds again. The Tinley Park EOC has mentioned having a joint exercise and K9CJ will research what is planned.

A Special Event operation for 2017 was discussed and the celebration of the "First Anniversary of the Cubs World Series 2016 Victory" will be the event. More details will be decided upon in the upcoming months.

General Discussion:

The Chicago Chapter of the IEEE EMC Society will hold its Wednesday April 19th meeting at Fermilab in Batavia. This Meeting is free of charge and is open to all interested parties, not just IEEE members. For registration contact Kermit Carlson W9XA Kermit@fnal.gov Here is a link to the meeting: http://www.central.arrl.org/ieee/

Jim N9TK, one of the 3YØZ team, described the trip and the many considerations that have been made. Jim answered various questions regarding location, time, etc.

The meeting was moved closed at 20:05 by K9TP and seconded by WA9LEY.

Following a short break there was a presentation by Jim N9TK, of the "falling derrick" support of the beams to be used on the 3YØZ DXpedition. This included a short video compete with background music of the support being raised. This was followed by an audio presentation from the 1985 Dayton Hamvention by humorist Jean Shepherd that was enjoyed by all.