Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, writes:
New England Division members may recall that earlier this year I asked for expressions of interest in working on the ARRL’s Contest Advisory Committee (CAC). Several good people raised their hands.
I’ve now asked Rudy Bakalov, N2WQ, of Westport, CT to be the New England Representative to the CAC. I first met him during an operating break at K1LZ. As I recall it, we were #1 USA multi-single or multi-two that year. Before selecting him, I asked the CAC Chairman, K9CT, to have a chat with Rudy. As a result of that conversation, they both seem energized about Rudy joining the committee.
So I asked Rudy to introduce himself to the New England Division. He wrote:
“I began my journey in ham radio at LZ1KBD in my early teens, attracted to the hobby by the opportunity to make friends around the world. Soon thereafter I discovered contesting at LZ1V and was hooked for life. After getting my Extra ticket (AD4LC) circa 1993, my US contesting career began, first having a tiny station in a walk-in closet in our NJ townhouse, then joining the teams at K1TTT and K1LZ, and finally building my own stations VE3EID and HQ9X.
“As technology and ham radio in general innovate and evolve, it is inevitable that contesting must evolve as well to remain relevant. I also believe that contesting can be a powerful force in attracting new hams to the hobby.
“I graduated with a BS in Computer Engineering from Technical University of Sofia in 1991, and then pursued an MBA from Wake Forest University. In my professional life, I deal with Board-level and C-suite issues of cyber security strategy, governance, and operations for large global enterprises.
“I look forward to joining the CAC and working with the League to further grow contesting, balancing opportunities to change vs. the spirit and legacy of League sponsored contests.”
I think Rudy will serve New England well.
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ARRL New England Division
Director: Fred Hopengarten, K1VR
k1vr@arrl.org
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