Fellow SECC Contesters:

The contest year went quickly -- it is now June and time for our SECC elections. Been thinking about ways to improve contesting in the Southeast? This could be your year to get involved!

Executive positions to be filled:

President:

Vice-President:

Secretary:

Treasurer: John Laney, K4BAI

Please e-mail your interest (or recommendations) to any of the current officers during the next two weeks. In cases where there are more than one individual applying, we will have a vote as per the by-laws.

With regards to the last year, I would like to thank John Laney K4BAI for his always outstanding contributions in publicizing contests and recognizing the results of the contesters in our region. John has indicated that he will be running again for the position of Treasurer. Mike Almeter W4MJA has done a great job for us, albeit remotely from college in Nevada. Mike has said that he will not be running this year as he wants to actually begin entering contests. We ran without a VP this year, a necessary position for effective leadership. Personally, it is my intention not to run for office this year as a change of my work in the fall resulted in a much more demanding time and travel schedule that has not allowed me to undertake the initiatives I envisioned when I first accepted the position. I enjoy working with the club and will remain available to assist in any way that I can.

As president, I was able to attend the key local events held in our region including HamJam, TechFest, and SEDXC meetings that included technical presentations given by our membership. It was a pleasure to work with Fred WW4LL. Fred has been making his station available in major contests to new and old contesters alike. Likewise, Rick NQ4I opens his station every GQP to potential members who may not have had a chance to operate in such a superb operating environment. This type of mentoring is always commendable in helping secure the future of our hobby.

On a personal note, the improving high band conditions have shown that, with the proper equipment, the southeast can be competitive on a national stage with the big stations in the northeast. The team at NQ4I set new USA records in the CQ WW CW, ARRL DX CW and the CQ WPX CW and we are awaiting the results from the log checking. Tom W8JI, who has had proper equipment for years, allowed K1TO, KM3T and I to operate his station during the ARRL 160 and CQ WW 160 contests. Both Dan K1TO and Dave KM3T are on the WRTC 2014 committee to be held in New England. Commitments have been made by K4BAI (on behalf of the SECC) and NQ4I to sponsor operating tents at this event. I am hopeful that, in addition to the financial sponsorship, that we can also staff the support tents. This was effectively done in Moscow in 2010.

I hope you enjoyed the last contest season and with sunspots on the rise, there should be fun amongst the competition in the coming year.