[SFDXA] A Message from Jeff

[Bill]

> Hi Everyone,
> 
> Well, how can I add to the praise from amateurs around the world about
> the ARRL Centennial Convention held on July 17-19 at Hartford, CT ! 
> From the Thursday training sessions, the forum offerings covering
> nearly every facet of amateur radio, the myriad selection of dealers,
> manufacturers and organizations on the convention floor, the ARRL Expo
> and networking with my fellow League members, this was , in my opinion,
> the best amateur radio convention I have attended in many years. An MOA
> between the ARRL and FEMA was signed during the convention by President
> Craigie and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, who gave an
> inspiring talk at the banquet Friday evening. 
> 
> One of the highlights of the convention for me was visiting with an old
> friend from my youth. Harry Dannals, W2HD, whom I first met when he was
> W2TUK and the SCM of the NLI Section. Since then Harry became President
> of ARRL and QCWA. And that’s what ham radio is all about, people, and
> the camaraderie we share as amateur radio operators. Kudos to the ARRL
> HQ staff and all of the volunteers who put the convention together. A
> job well done !  This will be an event that will be long remembered for
> many years to come.
> 
> A major incentive with the exhibits in the ARRL Expo was educating and
> promoting HR 4969, the Amateur Radio Parity Act, among the attendees.
> Letters to their respective Congresspersons were printed, signed and
> prepared for delivery to the Hill. Please visit
> http://www.arrl.org/news/centennial-convention-provides-  
> springboard-for-amateur-radio-parity-act-hr-4969
> 
> An SFL Section Call to Action !   
> 
> I cannot emphasize the importance of every member of our Section
> writing to their Congressperson and forwarding the letter to ARRL HQ
> for distribution. We have been handicapped by these restrictions to
> fully function as amateur radio operators for far too long. It will
> take a Grass Roots effort by everyone to get this legislation passed. 
> For assistance to prepare your letter, please visit the HR4969 webpage
> on the ARRL website: http://www.arrl.org/hr-4969
> 
> A number of clubs throughout the Section are taking a proactive effort
> to rally the troops on HR4969. Some are conducting special sessions to
> prepare letters and forward them to ARRL HQ. My thanks for these
> efforts on behalf of amateur radio in our Section.
> 
> Please welcome Marty Falk, KI4IQZ as the regional Assistant Section
> Manager for the Gold Coast District. The district consists of Monroe,
> Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Marty can be reached via
> email at ki4iqz at arrl.net
> 
> After many years of dedicated service to the ARRL Field Organization,
> Phyllisan West, KA4FZI has decided to retire. Miss Phil served as SFL
> Section Manager and Section Traffic Manager. She will still be working
> with us as a Net Manager and Official Relay Station. We thank Miss Phil
> for her service to the SFL Section and hope that she enjoys her well
> deserved “retirement.”
> 
> Stepping in to the Section Traffic Manager shoes is Mike Sanner, KM2V. 
> Mike is the Net Manager for the Southeast Florida Traffic Net and an
> active traffic handler. Mike can be contacted via email at
> km2v at arrl.net  Welcome, Mike !  We look forward to working with Mike
> and Marty on the SFL Management team. 
> 
> Recent SFL Station appointees are Rick Byrnes, KJ4ZHO, Local Government
> Liaison in Palm Beach County and Gary Striker, KB4K, Technical
> Specialist in Hendry County. Welcome to the SFL Team ! 
> 
> For info on Field Organization volunteer opportunities, visit
> http://www.arrl.org/field-organization. I welcome your interest in
> joining the SFL Team. Please contact me or any of my staff with any
> questions.
> 
> Our congratulations to Kai Siwiak, KE4PT and Bruce Pontius, N0ADL upon
> receiving the prestigious Doug DeMaw, W1FB, Technical Excellence Award
> by the ARRL Board of Directors at their recent meeting in Hartford, CT.
> A well deserved recognition ! 
> 
> August kicks off the hamfest season in SFL with the Ft. Pierce Hamfest
> on August 9th at Indian River State College in Ft. Pierce. Please join
> us at the ARRL Forum at 10 AM and meet your SFL Section staff.  ARRL VE
> exams and DXCC card checking will be available. More info can be found
> at http://www.arrl.org/hamfests /ft-pierce-arc-hamfest-2.  Looking
> forward to seeing you there.
> 
> If you missed the ARRL Centennial activities at Orlando or Hartford,
> you will have another opportunity at the upcoming Southeastern Division
> Convention at Huntsville, AL on August 16-17. More info can be found at
> http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southeastern-division-convention-huntsville-hamfest-regional-arrl-centennial-event
> 
> Well, I guess that’s about it for now. My thanks for all that you do
> for Amateur Radio. Get on the air, Elmer a new ham, support your local
> club and ARES group but most of all, have fun.
> 
> Vy 73,
> 
> Jeff, WA4AW
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> ARRL Southern Florida Section
> Section Manager: Jeff Beals WA4AW