Ham Radio News

…because we don’t live in a vacuum

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John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, is New ARRL News Editor

John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, is the new ARRL News Editor. Ross was selected for the position following the recent retirement of Rick Lindquist, WW1ME, from the role -- which includes producing news content for the ARRL website, the weekly ARRL Letter, the "Happenings" and "Amateur Radio World" columns in QST, and voicing the weekly ARRL Audio News. Ross has served as the Public Information Coordinator for the ARRL Ohio Section for the past 10 years. He is an award-winning journalist, broadcast engineer, and currently holds an Amateur Extra class license. Ross got his start in broadcasting while in high school as the first student announcer for WCBE Radio in Columbus, Ohio. He has worked as an on-air radio and television news anchor, news director, program host and personality as well as voice talent for many commercials and documentaries. He was the first "voice" of the Ameritech cell phone system when it went on the air in 1989. After graduating from The Ohio State University, and playing in the OSU Marching Band, he had dual careers as Vice President and Associate for Wilson Group Communications, a Columbus- based public relations, media relations, and crisis management firm. He recently retired from AT&T after 28 years as a Network Analyst. Ross is also a Veteran serving 6 years in the United States Army and Army Reserve and a six-time recipient of the Presidents' Volunteer Service Award for helping disabled and homeless veterans.

To-do during Hamvention

The National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting will have extended hours for this year's Dayton Hamvention®. West Chester Amateur Radio Association, WC8VOA, will also be open during the extra hours. The Museum will be open Thursday, May 19, from 1 PM to 9 PM; Friday, May 20, from 1 PM to 9 PM; Saturday, May 21, from 1 PM to 9 PM, and Sunday, May 22, from 1 PM to 5 PM. Admission is $10 at the door. The Museum is a short drive from Hamvention down either Interstate 75 or Route 42 from Xenia. For GPS directions use, Crosley Blvd.

ITU Celebrates 2022 World Amateur Radio Day

In recognition of World Amateur Radio Day, held on April 18, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) published articles and social media posts highlighting various facets of ham radio. This included an ITU News interview with Philipp Springer, DK6SP, Chair of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 1 Youth Working Group, and the article, "How to become a radio 'ham' in the digital era," by Nick Sinanis, SV3SJ, ITU Study Group Advisor and head of the ITU radio station, 4U1ITU. Philipp Springer, DK6SP, age 24, earned his ham radio license when he was 9 years old. In his interview with ITU News, he explained the variety of operating techniques and social connections is part of what motivates young people to become active in ham radio in an increasingly digital world. "It's technical parts like experimenting with radio science, soldering, developing, and building electronics, in practice and not just theory," he said. "Secondly, it's [the] social part: we are connecting with other communities, meeting radio operators from all around the world. Lastly, we connect with other cultures: we practice foreign languages, visit other countries, and get on the air at so-called 'expeditions.'" Springer is also featured in an ITU video on YouTube. In his article, Sinanis explained that "ITU plays a key role in amateur radio by overseeing the standardization and regulatory processes of the radiocommunication sector (ITU-R), with special emphasis on its utility in emergency communications." The ITU is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies, and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) contributes to the work of the ITU as a Sector Member. World Amateur Radio Day marks the annual anniversary of the IARU, formed in Paris on April 18, 1925