[SFDXA] February Southeastern Division Update

[WILLIAM MARX]

January has been a very busy month for Vice Director Mike Lee, AA6ML,
and me. We spent 5 days in CT attending orientation, committee
meetings, and the ARRL Board Meeting. Two weekends ago, Mike
represented the Southeastern Division at the Georgia ARES Conference
while I represented the Division at the Puerto Rico State Convention.
Last weekend, Mike represented the Division at the South Florida
Tropical Hamboree/South Florida Section Convention. We’re now
preparing for this weekend’s Orlando HamCation/North Florida Section
Convention/ARRL Regional Centennial Event.

We both wish to thank all of the Convention organizers and attendees
for the warm welcome and hospitality that they provided.

We often hear the question “What does my $39/year get me?” Mike and
I saw firsthand in Newington how far the League stretches its budget.
Most people are surprised to learn that there are approximately 100
employees at HQ. They are assisted by a small army of volunteers doing
everything from sorting QSL cards to giving tours. Over the coming
months, we’ll highlight the myriad of jobs that get done at the
League from contest administration to protecting our spectrum and
ensuring the future of amateur radio. 

Consider that for the cost of another amateur radio magazine, you get
QST, all of the ARRL member benefits, and support the national
organization for amateur radio.

I have been appointed to the Programs and Services Committee. In what
can only be described as a most high honor, Mike has been appointed to
the Administration and Finance Committee; I describe it as such because
it is uncommon for a new Vice Director to receive an appointment to such
an important committee. Between the two committees, the Southeastern
Division is well placed to represent you.

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Our Division is fortunate to have two of the six ARRL Regional
Centennial Events—the Orlando HamCation this weekend and the
Huntsville Hamfest in August. The ARRL will have a larger presence than
usual at these hamfests, including giving away a limited number of ARRL
Centennial Challenge Coins at the ARRL booth.

One very special honor for these two hamfests is the use of the
Centennial Celebration callsign, W100AW. Look for W100AW/4 to be on the
air from Hamcation beginning around 7PM Thursday (0001 Friday UTC)
through Sunday afternoon. In order to afford Technicians an opportunity
to work W100AW/4, we’ll also be monitoring 146.46 during the Hamfest
as staffing permits. We’ll post updates on the Division’s FaceBook
page (you have already Liked it haven’t you?)
https://www.facebook.com/arrlse. 

If you join or renew your ARRL membership for one or two years at
HamCation, you’ll get a free gift. If you join or renew for 3 years,
you’ll get a free 2014 Centennial Edition Handbook (soft cover)! You
can renew and get the free gift even if you still have several years
left on your membership; the renewal will extend your membership for
the additional year(s).

For more information about HamCation, visit their website,
http://www.hamcation.com/, and FaceBook page,
https://www.facebook.com/Hamcation. 

Did I mention that the weather forecast for Friday and Saturday looks
beautiful?

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As you watch the Winter Olympic Games, remember that amateur radio’s
own international “Olympics”, the World Radiosport Team
Championship (WRTC) will be held in the Boston area July 8-14. WRTC is
held every four years and consists of approximately 50 two-person teams
of amateur radio operators competing in a test of operating skill.
Unlike most on-the-air competitions, all stations are required to use
identical antennas from the same geographic region, eliminating all
variables except operating ability.
WRTC2014 will include 59 competing teams from 29 qualifying regions
around the world. This will be the largest and most competitive WRTC
ever! Many members of the Southeastern Division are involved at all
levels of the WRTC. See http://www.wrtc2014.org/ to learn more. 

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The ARRL will hold its Centennial Convention July 17-19 in Hartford,
CT. Thousands of members and friends of the ARRL will gather to
celebrate the organization's first 100 years of members "Advancing the
Art and Science of Radio." In addition to the Exhibit Hall with
manufacturers and retailers and the indoor flea market, the days will
be filled with training classes and forums. Among the classes are
Contest University, DX University, RFI 101, and Public Service
Communications Academy. The dozens of one hour forum presentations run
the gamut from FreeDV (Digital Voice over HF) to Raspberry PI projects
for amateur radio to How to Present Amateur Radio to the Media.
There will also be tours of both ARRL HQ and W1AW.
For more information on this once in a lifetime event, visit
http://www.arrl2014.org. Registration is now open via the website.

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Are you or your club looking for a unique way to recognize a Silent
Key, Elmer, or Family member? An inscribed brick can be placed in the
Diamond Terrace in front of ARRL HQ for a one-time contribution of
$250. (http://www.arrl.org/memorial-gifts) Diamond Terrace recognition
is also included in the Diamond Club with an annual giving level of
$250 or more. (http://www.arrl.org/the-arrl-diamond-club &
http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Development/Diamond_Club_Brochure_2013.pdf)


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Please share this email and the websites (www.arrlse.org and
www.facebook.com/arrlse) with other amateurs that are not receiving
ARRL emails and remind members that they can subscribe to their Section
and Division emails by signing into their arrl.org account, go to the
profile page, enter their email address, select the tab saying "Edit
Email Subscriptions", and put a check in the “News and information
from your Division Director and Section Manager” box.

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Contacting Your Director and Vice Director
Our contact information is in every issue of QST on page fifteen, as
well as http://www.arrl.org/divisions#Southeastern_Division. As I own
several small businesses and Mike has a busy work schedule as well,
please be patient with our replies. Email is generally the best method
of communication, especially if you have a question or issue as we can
look for the answer or solution before responding. (The remainder of
the week will be exceptionally busy for us as we participate in the
Centennial Events at HamCation. Please be extra patient in awaiting
responses.)

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73 de

Doug Rehman, K4AC
Director

&

Mike Lee, AA6ML
Vice Director

www.arrlse.org and www.facebook.com/arrlse

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ARRL Southeastern Division
Director: Doug Rehman, K4AC
k4ac at arrl.org