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AE5ME > ARRL 22.01.16 17:32l 53 Lines 5043 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: //WL2K ARRL Newsletter January 21st Part 3 of 4
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ARRL Contest Branch Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ. [Steve Ford, WB8IMY, photo]
"It is great to be back at ARRL and to see the faces of many friends still here -- and still dedicated to serving Amateur Radio -- as well as new faces, new friends, to join in the journey," said Jahnke, who previously spent nearly 20 years at Headquarters. "With continued strong activity comes our obligation to produce and release results as rapidly as possible."
Jahnke said he hopes -- with the help of Headquarters staff and volunteer data processers and log checkers outside Headquarters -- to make things happen more rapidly and efficiently, processing logs and publishing contest results without compromising the integrity of the current system.
"We need to continue to work smarter, not harder, to serve the contest community," he said.
Jahnke served as ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) Manager from 1989 until 2005. He initially joined the ARRL Headquarters staff in 1985, starting out as editor of the ARRL Repeater Directory.
Jahnke said that while his primary interest during his 36 years in ham radio has been volunteer activities and "weak-signal" VHF, UHF, and microwave contesting, meteor scatter, and EME work, he has also enjoyed casually operating in HF contests. He concedes, however, that it may be time to "add some forte to my low bands!"
Dayton Amateur Radio Association Surprises ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ
As he nears retirement, ARRL CEO David Sumner has been honored by the Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA), which sponsors Dayton Hamvention®. Sumner had been invited to speak at DARA's January 8 meeting, purportedly to recount his many years with ARRL. While such out-of-town speaking engagements are not out of the ordinary for him, something he wasn't anticipating awaited him at this event.
DARA President Don Dubon, N6JRL, presents the "Outstanding Career and Service to Amateur Radio" award to ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ.
"Dave provided a great insight into the mission of the ARRL, but our club had some surprises," said DARA President Don Dubon, N6JRL.
The Dayton Amateur Radio Association honored Sumner with a plaque noting his "Outstanding Career and Service to Amateur Radio." The club also made him a "Gold Card" lifetime member of DARA, an honor bestowed on very few, Dubon said. In addition, the ARRL Ohio Section presented him with a Special Recognition Award.
"I am very pleased that the relationship between DARA and the ARRL has blossomed into one of the outstanding partnerships in organized Amateur Radio," Sumner said.
A reception attended by some 160 DARA members followed the meeting.
Winter Field Day Set for January 30-31
There really is a Winter Field Day, and this year, it takes place over the January 30-31 weekend, sponsored by the Winter Field Day Association (WFDA). The annual event's stated purpose is to encourage emergency operating preparedness in the winter, but it's also a great opportunity to operate in the great outdoors. The WFDA describes itself as a dedicated group of Amateur Radio operators who
Jean Morgan, KG7NJQ, operates SSB during the 2015 Winter Field Day near North Bend, Washington.
believe that getting ready for emergency communication in a winter environment is just as important as the preparations and practice that take place at ARRL Field Day each June, all while taking some additional unique operational concerns into account. The WFDA points out that disasters are unpredictable, and its goal is to help enhance operators' skills and prepare for all environmental conditions typically found in the US and Canada throughout the entire year.
"We believe...that maintaining your operational skills should not be limited to fair weather scenarios," the group says. "The addition of a Winter Field Day will enhance those already important skills of those who generously volunteer their time and equipment to these organizations."
The 2015 Winter Field Day at NC7G (L-R): Bill Harris, W7KXB; Jean Morgan, KG7NJQ; Thom Proehl, K7FZO, and Curt Black, WR5J. [Photo courtesy of Curt Black, WR5J]
The event is not restricted to North America. All Amateur Radio operators around the world are invited to participate. Operation will be on all HF bands except 12, 17, 30, and 60 meters. The event runs 24 hours. US and Canadian stations exchange call sign, operating category, and ARRL or RAC section. The rules are similar to those for the ARRL Field Day, held in June.
Last year, WR5J, W7KXB, KG7NJQ, and K7ZFO braved the conditions to operate as NC7G near North Bend, Washington. Curt Black, WR5J, recounts, "We had a fantastic team -- young, new hams, and some amazing octogenarian hams. All contributed to the effort and the triumph. We had fantastic operating conditions." Black said the weather was great too, with balmy temperatures.
"We had a blast -- worked all night long -- bounced from band to band and mode to mode. We had no idea it was going to be as warm as it was," he said. -- Thanks to The ARRL Contest Update
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