[dropcap]T[/dropcap]his is an exciting time for amateur radio. In 1914 Hiram Percy Maxim, W1AW, formed the American Radio Relay League and for a century it has served the amateur radio community and promoted amateur radio in the United States and around the world.
As part of its Centennial celebration, the ARRL will have a number of on-the-air activities, including a year long QSO party and the operation of W1AW portable from all 50 states. Points are earned in the QSO party by working ARRL members, appointees,elected officials, W100AW, and Headquarters Staff. There are also opportunities to operate as W1AW portable during the assigned Mississippi times.
As another part of the celebration, ARRL has designated six events across the nation as “centennial sites.” The closest one to us is probably the Huntsville Hamfest, which occurs on August 16-17, 2014, in Huntsville, Alabama. If you have never been to a big Hamfest, this would be a good one to attend. Detailed information about the Huntsville Hamfest can be found at www.hamfest.org.
CMSARA is an ARRL affiliated club and throughout 2014 we will be observing the ARRL centennial in a number of ways. We begin at our regular January meeting, when Malcolm Keown, W5XX, our Mississippi Section Manager, will give us more information about the ARRL and the Centennial celebration.
Whether you are a CMSARA member or not, please join us throughout 2014 as we celebrate a century of the American Radio Relay League.
73,
Mike McKay N5DU
President, CMSARA