Metro DX Club Meeting Minutes

December 20, 2019

The meeting was called to order by our President Jim N9TK. In attendance, besides Jim were Bob K9CJ, Steve W9KXT, Mike W9MK, Carl K9CS, John K9DRS, Mike K9LSH, Kurt WB9FMC, Tom, K9LS, Jerry K9PMV, Jerry K9LOT, Mel NE9A, Bob N9AKR, Mark K9TP, Rick W9NKV, Jerry K9PY, Bob N9ORD, John W9ILY, Lee WA9LEY

HEALTH AND WELFARE Susan K9XYL is still recuperating at home after suffering a fall.

OLD BUSINESS

The MINUTES of the June meeting were approved.

TREASURER'S REPORT John W9ILY reports the Club had $200.66 expenses for the month. He reports income of $291 which includes Club dues received and Winterfest payments. John distributes a detailed Treasurers report at each meeting which is later filed on our groups.io site.

WUST No recent awards

CLUB LOG We are reminded to upload our complete logs in ADIF form periodically, at least once per year, to stay active on their site. Lots of good info on Club Log to check out if you aren't familiar already.

METRO MARATHON Members are urged to submit their totals to John W9ILY by the end of December. The results will be announced at Winterfest in January. The rules can be found in previous posts. 7 members have submitted entries so far.

CQ DX MARATHON Metro member John K9EL runs this program for CQ. It's a fun activity even for those who have "worked them all". It's pretty easy to participate. Just work DX throughout the year and submit your results at the end of the year. Details can be found at http://www.dxmarathon.com. Make sure you check the rules and submit your 2019 entry before the deadline (coming up soon).

BRIDGE TEEN CENTER Several Metro members were able to tour the Bridge Teen Center in Orland Park and discuss the possibility to offer a presentation of Ham Radio to their group. The date was set for Feb 13th and we are now putting together program ideas including having ham stations set up to make live contacts. More details on this to come.

LOCAL REPEATER NC9T 442.025 tone is 100hz, up 5 Mhz. Many members hang out here.

NEW BUSINESS

WINTERFEST Winterfest is scheduled for Friday, January 17, 2020 at Papa Joe's in Orland Park. Pricing is the same as last year at $23 per person. We will have door prizes again this year including a Heil headset as the grand prize. Members are urged to reserve their place as soon as possible. A reminder announcement will be sent including all the details.

DUES John W9ILY is now accepting 2020 Club dues. Dues of $15 can be paid in person at a Club meeting or sent via PayPal to W9TY. Make sure you submit using the family and friends option to avoid charges to the Club. Can also pay by check to W9TY at Club address.

JIM N9TK Jim is retiring from his place of business (not the Club) at the the end of the year. He has worked there for an incredible 49 years!

METRO PICNIC and W9C SPECIAL EVENT We are combining our picnic next year with a special event operation. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of a major train derailment in Crescent City. If you Google Crescent City Fireball you'll find details. We will be using the call W9C. Jerry WB9Z and Val NV9L have graciously offered to host the picnic again next year and are allowing us to use their superstation for our special event. More details will follow.

DX There has been lots of DX available to work including several of our Club members at TO9W. They were very active and workable on many bands and modes. Check the reflectors for other active DX stations.

2020 FIELD DAY SITE Our search for a new site is ongoing with nothing firm as yet.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

The meeting was adjourned for our annual PIZZA PARTY

PROGRAM John W9ILY presented an interesting summary of his recent trip to FS operating as TO9W including set up info and antenna info. ( Due to winds, daily antenna repairs were required). They made lots of contacts on multiple bands and modes. He also related issues they had leaving FS due to roads being closed because of local demonstrations. He may have DXpedition photos to show us at a future meeting.

Jerry K9LOT gave us an overview of the Tinley Park EOC operations and how they would respond to disasters in the area. Each official has their own work station. The Tinley Park EOC is where we hold our meetings.

Submitted by Lee WA9LEY