Happy New Year to You and Yours!!!
Every year at this time we all go through that phase where we reflect back on the year past and think about all the things that we wanted to do but didn’t. Have you written down anything for your New Year’s Resolution yet? If not, you might want to do that now. This is something that keeps us on track and gives us the ability to look forward to the New Year with a positive attitude and willingness to improve and make things in your life better.
This year my New Year’s Resolution list has grown quite large with the first thing on that list being the transition from Vice Director to taking over as your Great Lakes Division Director from my good friend, Dale, on January 1st. Yes, I have some very big shoes to fill for sure and I will do my very best to fill them.
I want to say “thank you” to all of you that invited me to your club activities and meetings over this past year. I had a lot of fun getting to meet some new friends and getting to reconnect with some old friends that I haven’t seen for years as well. I want you to know that I will be back to visit with you again soon. I made a promise to you that I would work hard and always keep you, the loyal ARRL dues paying member first and I meant that with all my heart.
Things are starting to get super busy for our new Vice Director Roy W8REH and me right now. The Board meeting is coming up fast and things are getting hectic. 2024 will be an amazing year for the ARRL. There are so many projects that everyone on the Board has been working on over this past year and now will be coming to the forefront. We ARE moving things in a positive direction and are focused heavily on making things better for YOU!
Hey! I want to say that if your student hasn’t applied for a college scholarship by now, they’d better get busy; they only have until Wednesday, January 10th at 12 noon to get their application in. There is a link on the ARRL homepage in addition to the link on the scholarship page. More than 100 scholarships ranging from $500 to $25,000 will be awarded in 2024. This is FREE money for your kids to go to college on! How many kids do you know that couldn’t use a helping hand with their college tuition? All applicants must be active, FCC-licensed amateur radio operators. Go to: http://www.arrl.org/scholarship-program
January starts off with Straight Key Night (SKN) on January 1st, from 00:00 UTC through 23:59 UTC. ARRL Kids Day follows on January 6th, along with the RTTY Roundup running on the 6th – 7th and the North American QSO Party (CW) on January 13th – 14th and the QSO Party (SSB) will be held on the 20th – 21st. Following that is the January VHF Contest on the 20th – 22nd. These are just a few of the many contests that are scheduled for this month. Here’s the link to see them all…https://www.contestcalendar.com/
Okay, that is going to do it from me this month. This will be my last Scott’s Stuff article as your Vice Director. Next month Roy, W8REH will be giving his comments in this space. So, from me to you… Stay safe, “Catch Me On The Air, or a meeting or hamfest!!!” But most of
all… Have FUN – and get on the AIR!!!!
73,
Scott, N8SY
Director (elect)
Great Lakes Division
n8sy@arrl.org
