Windy City Amateur Radio Society

Chicago's Premier Radio Association

Meeting Minutes

  • February 3rd 2025 Membership Meeting

    The Meeting was called to order at 7:03 by Garett N9HXR. First order of business was if any corrections to the Minutes. Joshua KD9MXV stated He should be removed from the list of Officers elected because He had been previously elected when the Club was formed in November 2024. Sam KD9BRW made the motion to amend the minutes, Joshua KD9MXV seconded the motion, the motion passed unanimously. Next order of business was the change to the Constitution which had been sent to the membership for study. The change would be to remove the past President from the new Board of Directors to eliminate the possibility of a tie vote on any item under consideration. President placed a poll on discord for those joining remotely and with those locally there were 11 ayes 0 nays. The motion passed.

    Old Business: Corporation papers and Agent change. After some discussion, it was decided that Garett N9HXR and his home address would be used. He said he had contacted Kevin but not heard back. He didn’t want to intrude into his present circumstance, so would wait awhile then try again. We need new members; we’ll consider all comers. Just go to the WCARS website. Books from PS1 mentioned that PS1 helps Fund clubs to help them grow. To be considered copies of the WCARS clubs minutes need to be sent to the PS1 Secretary.

    Cae being a graphic designer has come up several variations for our club logo, some of which were shown on the virtual mode. We will put a poll on discord when ready. Joshua KD9MXV thought overall simplicity should be considered to make it easier to make Decals, stickers, or the like.

    Next order of business was meeting nights. Tuesdays are bad for PS1 due to increased traffic in the building. Mondays are better than Fridays. Wednesday option might be better for PS1. The second Wednesday of the month is in contention. It was asked if the Secretary was going to write the newsletter. No answer from the Secretary.

    The Net was brought up next. Any repeater discussion should be brought to Sam KD9BRW. Sam will send out notice to change Net meeting. The next Membership meeting will be held March 3, 2025 at 7:00pm at PS1. The President asked if there was anything else to be brought up, there was none, so he asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Sam KD9BRW made the motion, which was seconded by Joe Murphy Jr. Meeting was adjourned at 7:39

    Respectfully
    Joseph Murphy Jr KE9CMR

  • January 21st 2025 Board Meeting

    Garett called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. The first order of business was
    Incorporation papers. Garett has talked to Kevin about signing the form from the
    Secretary of State. Joshua said he had researched and found we could use a Board
    member’s or the Club Address on the form. Garett talked to PS1 about using their
    address, but their Board doesn’t allow that at this time. Brian asked about the use
    of virtual mailboxes as they would scan your mail, then email it to you. Joshua
    said he doubted the government would allow those just like USPS P.O. boxes. He
    then suggested Garett’s for the time being and Brian agreed. Joshua said any
    member could sign to change things in the future. Garett had talked to Kevin,
    who was willing to transfer things so Garett was going to attempt to-do that the
    coming week or weekend. Garett next brought up committees. He stated we
    already had Repeater and Technology committees, but that he thought an
    education committee would be needed. He thought all those who signed up for
    the Technology committee to also man the Education committee. He named Sam,
    Himself and all Board members. Joshua suggested separate committees for Digital
    and RF Technology. He also thought Education should be a priority. Possibly
    Ingrid, Sam, Garett, and Joshua. VEs were the next topic and who to use for
    testing materials. The ARRL was not included due to them charging for them
    when others donate them. It was brought up that Brian’s son who would be
    working for the ARRL beginning in February might be willing to give seminars or
    talks at either Board or Membership meetings.

    Garett brought up changing the meeting nights as it was tough for both
    member and the Board. Tuesdays were suggested as it would also allow us to
    partake in PS1 events without conflict. This would mean the need for another
    change to the By-Laws; however, we want things easier for the members. Charlie
    thought we could add wording to the By-Laws, i.e. At the discretion of the Board
    to alter meeting dates. Garett then asked if there was anything to be discussed
    that had not already brought up. Charlie asked where net controllers fit in the
    scheme of things, Garett noted there was a channel on Discord for that. Joshua
    thought that fell under the Trustee’s purview. Sam and Garett are taking the
    reins, with Brian and Charlie possibly joining them. Garett brought the use of the
    Chicago Area Net Directory which listed all nets in the area. We have our net time
    from SARA and we could check to see if there are other times available. He said
    he talks regularly with K9XD and was going to investigate moving there or
    running a net there as well. It would be analog but that’s okay. For SARA we
    contact Neil AA9KK. Our Sunday Nets are DMR, YSF, Echolink, and ALLSTAR Link.
    Garett has a XLX and P25 reflector he needs to get set up. Sam was asked about
    Ham.Live and He stated he liked it. Garett uses Netlogger. Sam and Garett both
    would like a database to list with CSV that would be user searchable. Will alluded
    the possibility of using his Yaesu repeater. Joshua has an MTR 2000 that is UHF
    and does multiband digital. Joshua would like to see a repeater for 900, 220, and
    6m but needs rare radios such as the Alinco that was commercially available or
    commercially modified radios. Garett asked if there was any other discussion,
    and there being none adjourned the meeting with five minutes or so to spare

  • January 6th 2025 Membership Meeting

    Windy City Amateur radio association
    Minutes of January 6 2025 Election of Officers
    and Board of Directors

    Vice President Joshua KD9MXV called the meeting to order at 7:05 with an audio/video
    check. He then shared the meeting’s agenda. Everyone around the table introduced themselves
    as did those attending by remote. It was established we had a quorum and the meeting could
    continue. 1st order of business was to establish 8:00 as the adjournment time. Next on the
    agenda was the approval of bylaws. There was a proposed change that would allow non
    licensed members to hold office with the caveat that they had no vote and must become
    licensed within six months or resign. The proposed bylaws were approved with the change.
    Next order of business was elections. Candidates were all running unopposed. Paper ballots
    Were distributed to those in person and a poll was put online for the remote attendees. Results
    Were as follows: For President Garett Murphy N9HXR. Vice President Joshua KD9MXV.
    Treasurer Brian Freedman N9BF. Recording Secretary Joe Murphy Jr non-licensed. Board
    Members were Charlie Ferreria W9CEF for two years. Don Gover KC9ZMY for two years.
    Joshua Grubman K9TEA one year. Caelan Costigan non-licensed one year. A dice roll was used to
    Determine whether each nominee was a one year or a two year term. The Trustee, which is an
    Appointed position was Sam Clark KD9BRW. All Officers and Board members were given
    Congratulations. Next order of business was Dues. after some discussion Dues were set at
    $30.00 per Regular member. Family membership is $30.00 plus additional $10.00 for each
    participating family members. All Dues will be prorated half year depending when you join. A
    Motion was made by Garett N9HXR, seconded by David KE9BPC. Motion passed. Next up was
    A proposed amendment to the Constitution to eliminate the Past President from the Executive
    Committee. This was done to eliminate the possibility of ties in any vote. It was asked if there
    was any discussion on the matter. There was none. The final vote on this will take place
    February 3rd, 2025 at Pumping Station 1. Garett N9HXR made motion for adjournment,
    Sam KD9BRW seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned at 8:03.

    Respectfully
    Joseph Murphy Jr