As many of you know, I have been dedicating much of my time over the last 6 years to helping folks to get into Amateur Radio, to learn new skills through our hobby, and to experience the joy and sense of accomplishment that Amateur Radio brings.
We have accomplished much as a team through the Nashua Area Radio Society in the past 6 years. We have licensed or upgraded over 350 Hams. We’ve provided training and help for Hams to get on the air, build stations, and learn new skills. We’ve developed some world-class Amateur Radio training programs through our Tech Nights, Ham Bootcamp, n1fd.org, and more.
We’ve done some great work in local schools to introduce young people to Amateur Radio and to provide STEM learning experiences and licensing opportunities in schools as well.
We’ve also supported the ARISS space station contact programs in two schools in our area and this has led me to serve as an ARISS Mentor and Ground Station; helping schools around the world to enjoy the thrill of making contact with an astronaut on the Internation Space Station.
None of these things would have been possible without the tremendous support that we’ve received from all of you – our members and from the NARS Executive Committee who have done so much to support and grow all of our programs and activities. I also want to especially thank my wife, Anita AB1QB, who has worked along with me on the many projects that we’ve undertaken.
Amateur Radio changes people’s lives for the better. I know this because it has changed mine in significant ways. It led me to become an Electrical Engineer and helped me to develop many skills which have enriched my life and allowed me to enrich the experiences of others.
Where To Next?
Several friends and supporters have approached me about running for the position of New England Director in the ARRL. Directors serve on the Board of Directors of the ARRL for a Term of 3 years and are elected by the members of the ARRL in the Director’s Division. In our case, this encompasses ARRL members in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
Folks are encouraging me to attempt to take on this responsibility for several reasons with a chief one being the expectation that we can create, through this role, an environment among the clubs and the ARRL Membership here in New England that will encourage new people to join the Amateur Radio Service and encourage all Hams to grow their skills. The work that we have done together here in NARS, we believe, can be leveraged through the New England Director’s position to benefit clubs and individual Hams across New England and throughout the ARRL.
After much consultation with friends, the NARS Executive Committee, my wife Anita, and others who have played major roles in the ARRL, I have decided to take on this challenge by running this fall.
What Does This Mean For NARS?
I am sure that many of you know that I love the Nashua Area Radio Society and I have put my heart, soul, energies, and pretty much all I can muster into working with this club to help us in our mission to bring new people into Amateur Radio and to help everyone grow their skills and have fun with the best Hobby and Service in the world.
No matter what the outcome of the run for ARRL Director, I plan to continue to work as hard as I can to support NARS’ continued growth and development as a leader in Ham Development and our support for STEM Learning in schools through Amateur Radio. Also, Anita is not going anywhere and she will continue to operate our many licensing and training programs and activities.
I have made this decision in consultation with the NARS Executive Committee and I believe the EC Team of leaders is both supportive and quite capable of continuing to provide the leadership and support for all that makes the Nashua Area Radio Society the special organization that it is.
I also hope that, if successful with the run for New England Director, that NARS will continue its leadership role that we have been undertaking in helping other clubs around New England and throughout the ARRL in developing successful programs to license and develop the skills of all Hams.
I very much hope that you, our members, will support me in this endeavor. I believe that I can make a positive difference for folks here in New England and throughout the Amateur Radio service as I hope that I have within the Nashua Area Radio Society.
Fred, AB1OC
