[CQ-Contest] New organization for contest operators

[Doug Grant]

New Amateur Radio Operators Organization Formed

Innovative foundation focused on advancing the sport of radio operating

Visalia, CA, (Friday, April 16, 2010) - A new organization – The World
Wide Radio Operator’s Foundation, Inc. -- was announced today at the
61st International DX Convention held in Visalia, CA. The WWROF was
created with the goal of advancing the skill and art of radio
operating. The group’s mission statement states that it is “dedicated
to improving the skills of amateur radio operators around the world,
utilizing education, competition, advancement of technology and
scientific research, promoting international friendship and goodwill,
and preparing them to better serve society in times of communication
need.” The WWROF further believes that on-the-air contests provide a
good test of operating skills and immeasurable value to amateur radio
overall.

According to WWROF Chair Doug Grant, K1DG, “The founders were
concerned that the infrastructure currently used to support and
adjudicate many events was funded by volunteers. New enhancements to
the contest-administration process will require significant financial
support, and until now there has been no independent organization to
raise and administer such funds.” The WWROF was created to allow the
broader contest community to participate in enabling advances in
contest administration.

The WWROF is incorporated as a non-profit organization in the state of
Ohio, and is pursuing tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)3 of the
Internal Revenue Code so that donations to the foundation will be
tax-deductible.

“In addition to contest administration improvements, the WWROF is
excited about supporting high impact operating-oriented projects such
as training activities and content, recruitment programs for new
contesters, deployment of state-of-the-art technologies for enhanced
log checking or simply improved awards programs for contest
participants,” Grant added.

The WWROF Board of Directors consists of a group of well-known and
respected operators, including K1DG; John Dorr, K1AR; Bob Cox, K3EST;
Tim Duffy, K3LR; Mark Beckwith, N5OT; Ralph “Gator” Bowen, N5RZ; and
Tom Lee, K8AZ. In addition, the organization’s Advisory Committee
includes Ken Wolff, K1EA; George Fremin, K5TR; Randy Thompson, K5ZD;
Trey Garlough, N5KO; and Larry “Tree” Tyree, N6TR.

More information about the WWROF and opportunities to get involved can
be found at the group’s Web site, www.wwrof.org