MARS Volunteers Recognized with Gold-Level President’s Volunteer Service Award

A dozen US Army Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) volunteers have been honoured 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.

Gold-level volunteers must accrue a minimum of 500 hours of volunteer time supporting the organization. Silver awardees must achieve 300 hours and bronze must achieve a minimum of 100 hours volunteer time. Army MARS Chief Paul English, WD8DBY, will conduct a virtual awards presentation on Thursday, March 4, for the recipients and any MARS members who wish to attend.

350 days of COVID-19 net

On Thursday, 4 March 2021, Hambleton Amateur Radio Society passed the 350th consecutive day of a daily net on 2m.

It started on day one of the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown.

Its aim was to keep members and amateurs in the area in touch, and able to summon help or assistance if required.

The net starts at 11am on the calling frequency and usually moves to S18 if clear.

The net is now looking forward to a full year of operating, which occurs on 18 March 2021.

All amateurs are invited to join, and topics are wide and varied.

So far, over 70 different stations have called in.

A Cabin Fever Award is available for any station taking part.

It’s issued by Tim, G0TYM via email, see QRZ.com for details.

UK Amateur Radio Operator Celebrates 100th Birthday

Tommy Knight, G2FUU celebrated his 100th birthday this month. He became interested in amateur radio when he left school because a friend was a radio amateur. Instead of waiting to be called up for WWII he decided to volunteer for the RAF and spent the war fitting radar into Spitfires.

After the war, he took his amateur radio licence and he has always been keen on overseas contacts. He has enjoyed regular skeds on Sunday mornings with radio amateurs in Australia, NZ and West Indies and occasionally he and his wife, Olive, met them in person for holidays.

Tommy is still very active on the air when he is able, especially as part of ROAR (Rotarians Over Amateur Radio) Net.