Northwestern News Volume one, February 2024
Greetings Northwestern Division
The balance of January and now the first half of February I spent time
working on filling the vacant Vice-Director position and as announced
previously, Michael Sterba, KG7HQ was officially appointed. He is
hitting the ground running and I am glad to have him on the team as part
of the Division cabinet. We will both be out and about engaging members
at many of the upcoming events and are looking forward to seeing YOU.
President Roderick announced the committee assignments and I am back on
the EC-FSC (Emergency Communications and Field Services Committee) and
once again am chair of the ARISS committee. Vice Director Sterba is yet
to be assigned to a committee.
The minutes from the January Board meeting were posted and sent to those
who have elected to receive them by email and can be found here:
http://www.arrl.org/board-meetings The “highlights” if you will,
were posted in a member bulletin which can also be found on the ARRL web
here: http://www.arrl.org/member-bulletin?issue=2024-01-21
Legislative actions:
On January 30, 2024, US Senators Roger Wicker (MS) and Richard
Blumenthal (CT) introduced S.3690, the Senate companion bill to
H.R.4006, introduced last June. Both bills reflect the Congressional
campaign efforts by ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio to
eliminate homeowner association land use restrictions that prohibit,
restrict, or impair the ability of an Amateur Radio Operator to install
and operate amateur station antennas on residential properties they
own.
The full story can be found on the ARRL web here:
http://www.arrl.org/news/senators-roger-wicker-and-richard-blumenthal-introduce-s-3690-to-eliminate-private-land-use-restrict
Assistant Directors:
David Cole, NK7Z – Daniel Stevens, KL7WM – Bill Balzarini, KL7BB – Lynn
Burlingame, N7CFO – Delvin Bunton, NS7U and Steve Aberle, WA7PTM are all
continuing as Assistant Directors, each with specific areas of
responsibility and I thank them all for doing so.
Club Milestones:
Congratulations to the Radio Club of Redmond for hitting the 25th year
of ARRL affiliation! The anniversary date was January 14th.
Club News: (random picks from club newsletters)
The PARC, Panoramaland ARC, awarded its “Ham of the Year” award to
Cynthia, KI7AYR. Congratulations!
ARRL Foundation news:
As I mentioned last month, I was also elected to the ARRL Foundation
board which had its board meeting on January 30th. David Norris, K5UZ
was elected for another term as President, and David Minster, NA2AA was
elected as the new Vice-President replacing now 2nd VP Ritz. We have
started work on this year’s scholarship program and are reviewing
right at 200 applicants this year. In 2023 the foundation awarded
$608,915 in scholarships and $20,471 in club grants. ARDC has committed
to help fund both programs for another three years.
The ARRL Foundation is now accepting grant applications from amateur
radio organizations for eligible amateur radio-related projects and
initiatives, particularly those focused on educating, licensing, and
supporting amateur radio activities, to grow amateur radio’s future,
youth-based projects and initiatives are especially encouraged.
The ARRL Foundation grants program accepts proposals on a cyclical model
three times a year: in February, June, and October. Proposals for the
February grant period are being accepted through February 29. Awardees
will be notified approximately 1 month after the closing of each cycle.
Additional information and a link to the grant application can be found
at http://www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-grants
Oregon section gains two new Volunteer Counsel program members.
Althea Ender, KE7OOJ, from Portland and Russ Garrett, KD7MPK, also from
Portland, have been accepted into the ARRL VC program. Congratulations
and thanks to both for volunteering your time. (NOTE: Mr. Garrett is
also licensed to practice in Washington)
New Affiliated Club:
Idaho has a new ARRL affiliated club: The Madison High School Radio
Club, NR7RX, from Rexburg Idaho has applied for and been accepted as the
newest affiliated club in the division.
Congratulations!
Confirmed ARRL sanctioned Hamfests and Conventions:
February 17th Salem Hamfair, AKA “Rickreall” Website:
http://w7sra.org/
March 9th Mike and Key ARC Electronic Swapmeet Website:
http://www.mikeandkey.org/flea.htm
April 13th N7YRC Tailgate Swapmeet Union Gap, WA (Near Yakima, WA)
April 20th Kamiah Ham Fest (Idaho) Website: https://www.3riversarc.club
May 11th Southwest Idaho ARC Spring Hamfest Website:
http://www.dosomethingradio.com
May 11th Stanwood Camano ARC Electronic Flea Market and Hamfest Website:
https://www.scarcwa.org
May 31 – June 2nd ARRL Northwestern Division Convention “SEA-PAC”
Website: https://www.seapac.org
June 7 – 9 Wenatchee, WA Hamfest Website:
https://www.applecityarc.com/events
July 20 Chehalis, WA Valley ARS Tailgate Swap
https://cvars.org/Swapmeet_2024.pdf
August 3 KARS, ARRL Idaho State Convention Website: http://k7id.org
August 9 -11 Pacific Northwest DX Convention Website:
https://pacificnwdxconvention.com
As always, check the N7CFO Pacific Northwest Hamfairs & Events webpage
often for the most up to date information.
http://www.n7cfo.com/amradio/hf/hf.htm
Division stats:
At the end of January the NW Division had 11,793 members which is down
0.5% from December.
New hams in the NW Division last month totaled 214 (how many did we
encourage to join the ARRL?)
New ARRL members last month totaled 76.
Members that re-joined after a lapse totaled 59.
License class upgrades last month were 92
If you or your club have information to share with the Division, please
let us know!
73..
Mark J. Tharp, KB7HDX – Director
kb7hdx@arrl.org
509-952-5764
Michael Sterba, KG7HQ – Vice Director
kg7hq@arrl.org