03/03/2021
A dozen US Army Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) volunteers have been honored with gold-level recognition for the President’s Volunteer Service Award for 2020.
They are Bob Mims, WA1OEZ; Ron Tomo, KE2UK; Mark Bary, N4EOC; Billy Pearson, KO4XT; Dave Bock, W8OHS; Bob Baker, K5LLF; John Monson, WB0PLW; Gary Geissinger, WA0SPM; Brian Handy, W8JBT; Bliss Wheeler, W7RUG; Jim Hamilton, K4QDF, and Daniel Wolff, KA7AGN.
Each award recipient receives a letter signed by the President of the United States, a certificate of achievement, and a presidential volunteer service lapel pin. Volunteer awards are based on the certifying organization’s recommendation and the number of documented volunteer hours for the year.
Moldova Peace Corps to Sponsor March 3 Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact 03/02/2021
An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (
ARISS) contact between youngsters and youth in Moldova and an International Space Station (ISS) crew member is set for March 3. The Moldova Peace Corps (MPC) is the hosting organization, and 90 students (aged 10 – 18) from a consortium of educational institutions, rural schools, and libraries from nine Moldovan villages will participate.
MPC promotes economic and civic development with a particular focus on developing local resources in rural and suburban communities. Another focus of MPC is to provide youth in Moldovan villages with access to STEM opportunities and build capacity among local teachers/librarians to implement STEM activities in their curricula.
Spring Red Cross Emergency Communications Drill Set 02/26/2021
The spring 2021 Red Cross Nationwide Emergency Communications Winlink Drill will be held on May 8, which is
Youth on the Air will Make Final Decision on Summer Camp in April 02/23/2021
Plans remain up in the air for the Youth on the Air (
YOTA) in the Americas summer camp, tentatively set for July 11 – 16 in West Chester, Ohio.
“We know that changes in the COVID-19 pandemic status between now and July will have an impact on our decision to host the camp,” 2021 YOTA Americas Camp Director Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, said. “At this time, we are still hopeful that hosting the camp safely July 11 – 16, 2021 will be possible. Should we not be able to host the camp, we will let everyone know with as much notice as possible and postpone it to 2022. Our plan is to make the final decision in the month of April.”
ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, to Keynote QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo 02/23/2021
80+ speaker lineup will begin at 2000 UTC (3 PM EST) on March 13. His appearance will highlight ARRL’s featured role at the Expo, which also will include “Ask The ARRL Lab.” ARRL is a QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Partner.
Minster, who assumed the ARRL Headquarters leadership position last September, has launched major projects and assembled teams to foster innovation and individual skill development in radio technology and communications. In his keynote, Minster will share his enthusiasm for advancing amateur radio and highlight current ARRL initiatives to engage and inspire the current generation of hams. His presentation topics will include: