Marine Corps Veteran Honored in NEAR-Fest Closing Ceremony

Mike Crestohl, W1RC, writes:

On April 30 2022, a very special presentation was made by Paul DePetrillo, W1PRA, to Michael “Mickey” O’Keefe, NV1C, at NEAR-Fest XXXI in Deerfield NH. 

NV1C is a Marine Corps veteran and a survivor of the Chosen Reservoir battles in Korea in 1950.  Several years ago Paul met him at NEAR-Fest and awarded him a Lifetime Pass for his service.  Last February at the Marlborough (MA) flea market I spotted a book on Mickey’s table called “Give Me Tomorrow” about the Marines with whom he served in Korea.  The photo on the cover depicted a Marine, cold and hungry but obviously still hopeful.  “That’s me!” Mickey exclaimed.

Some research revealed that the photo originally appeared in the December 25th 1950 issue of Life Magazine.  I searched online and found the article which I forwarded to Paul who showed it to Bob Curran, an artist friend of his.  Bob was so impressed by the picture that he felt compelled to recreate the powerful image in a beautiful painting.

At the NEAR-Fest Closing Ceremony April 30th 2022 Paul presented Bob’s painting to Mickey.  Obviously taken by surprise and almost speechless NV1C commented: I am no hero; I am a survivor.”

We beg to differ. All our service people who served in foreign conflicts are heroes.  To honor their service NEAR-Fest has created a special award; a Lifetime Pass to our Hamfest to any amateur who has been awarded a military decoration “of distinction” like a Bronze Star, Silver Star, Purple Heart, Air Force Cross, Navy Cross, etc.  For more information contact Paul at paulw1pra@gmail.com.

 
 
 

Joe Reisert, W1JR, Honored for Receiving February 2022 QST Cover Award

W1JR Cover Plaque Presentation photo
L-R: Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI; Joe Reisert, W1JR; Virginia Reisert; Assistant Director Anita Kemmerer, AB1QB; Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC

Joe Reisert, W1JR, of Amherst, New Hampshire, has been awarded the February 2022 QST Cover Plaque Award for his article “12-and 17-Meter Antenna Design.” Joe was honored at a small reception by ARRL New England Division leaders on April 15, 2022 in Merrimack, New Hampshire. 

An amateur for 71 years, Joe was first licensed as WN2HQL in 1951 while living in Wantagh, Long Island, New York. 

Joe is one of the preeminent DXers in the world. He holds a DXCC award with 392/340 Mixed, 381/340 SSB, 353/339 CW, 340/336 Digital, 113/108 Satellite and 3171 DXCC Challenge. Among his many other honors, Joe is an A1 operator, a member of the First Class CW Operators Club, RSGB, and life member of ARRL and AMSAT. In 2014, Joe was elected to CQ Magazine’s DX Hall of Fame.  

 

 

ARRL New England Division Leaders Honor the Providence Radio Association for 100 Years of ARRL Affiliation

A sizable crowd of in-person and remote members were on-hand to welcome New England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, and Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI, at a special meeting of the Providence Radio Association in Johnston, Rhode Island on April 12. Kemmerer and Temples presented the club with a plaque and special certificate honoring PRA on its 100 years of  ARRL affiliation.  Club members also heard a presentation by Kemmerer on the new ARRL Club Grant program.

Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, presenting to PRA members
Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, presenting to PRA members about the new ARRL Club Grant Program. (K9HI photo)
100th Anniversary Commemorative Plaque and Board Minute Certificate. L-R: David (“Tess”) Tessitore, K1DT; John R. Winman, KZ1K (seated); Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC; Phil Temples, K9HI. (PRA photo)
ARRL 100th Anniversary Affiliation Plaque. (PRA photo)

AB1OC: “ARRL Club Grant Program” at Southeastern MA ARA, April 8, 2022

AB1OC Presenting at SEMARA Meeting, April 7, 2022New England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, and Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI, were on hand at the April 8 Southeastern MA Amateur Radio Association (SEMARA) meeting in Dartmouth, Massachusetts to present the club with a plaque and special certificate honoring SEMARA on its 75th anniversary of ARRL affiliation.  Club members also heard a presentation by Kemmerer on the new ARRL Club Grant program.

SourceForge Open Source Excellence Awarded to “Andy’s Ham Radio Linux” Collection

SourceForge Excellence logoAndy Stewart, KB1OIQ, Westford, Massachusetts, recently received an award from the SourceForge website for his work on the “Andy’s Ham Radio Linux” software collection. Andy has created and maintained the collection for the past ten years. In that time, it has been downloaded 100,000 times.

SourceForge recognized the project for:

* Community Leader
* Community Choice
* Open Source Excellence
* SourceForge Favorite

PART of Westford President George Allison, K1IG, wrote, “Congratulations on the award from SourceForge! I know that your software collection has significantly influenced the adoption and use of Linux by ham radio operators worldwide.”

“This was quite unexpected,” said KB1OIQ. “I am very pleased that the project has been so well accepted by our ham radio community.  Both the Linux and ham radio communities have a tradition of helping others, and I have benefited greatly from their combined patience and tutelage.  This is my way of saying ‘thank you’ to those communities.”

Joe Reisert, W1JR, Wins the February 2022 QST Cover Plaque Award

Feb. 2022 QST coverFrom ARRL Web:

02/28/2022 – The winning article for the February 2022 QST Cover Plaque award is “12- and 17-Meter Antenna Design,” by Joe Reisert, W1JR [from Amherst, New Hampshire].

The QST Cover Plaque Award — given to the author or authors of the most popular article in each issue — is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST Cover Plaque Poll web page. Cast a ballot for your favorite article today!

K1EIC Honored by the State of Connecticut for Service to Higher Education

photo of Betsey Doane, K1EICFormer Connecticut Section Manager Betsey Doane, K1EIC, of Shelton, Connecticut, will be honored by the State of Connecticut for her work in accessibility and inclusion in higher education.

According to Barb Lombardi, K1EIR,  “My sister found out that an award will be named after her for her work with the State higher education services for accessibility and inclusion. It will be ‘The Betsey Doane Innovation for Accessibility and Inclusion Award’ given [annually] to a faculty member in a State college or community college who has given or contributed the most to access and inclusion.”

Doane, a retired mathematics and computer science professor, is also active in her local Rotary club as well as the Chamber of Commerce.

Congratulations, Betsey Doane, K1EIC!

KB1TCD Awarded Certificate of Merit

image of KB1TCD certificate of meritJose Douglas, KB1TCD, Round Pond, Maine, has been awarded a Certificate of Merit by Maine Section Manager Phil Duggan, N1EP. 

“On behalf of the Maine ARRL Section, I am happy to present this Certificate of Merit to you for your outstanding contribution to Maine amateur radio, especially your support for emergency communications.”

Douglas has “steadfastly served” as the net control station for the Maine Emergency Net on 3940 kHz on Sundays.

W1OP Visits W1AW for 100th Celebration

W1OP members visit ARRL Hq.From ARRL Club News, December 21, 2021:

The Providence Radio Association, W1OP, visited ARRL Headquarters and W1AW on Thursday December 9, 2021, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of their club’s affiliation with ARRL. Accompanied by Bob Beaudet, W1YRC, the Rhode Island Section Manager, the club visited headquarters and met with David Minster, NA2AA, ARRL CEO.

They displayed their original affiliation certificate signed by the “Old Man” himself Hiram Percy Maxim. Minster presented them with a new certificate commemorating their 100 years. They then visited W1AW and after lunch operated the memorial station. It was noted that even though there are several clubs around the country at the 100 year mark they are still rare and ARRL wants to recognize them for their continued hard work.