ARRL Delaware Section Manager Newsletter – April 2025

Greetings from Sussex County

The average age of a ham radio operator? About 75. Yes, 75 years old. This clearly tells us we must usher in a new generation of radio operators if the Amateur Radio Service (ARS) is to continue as we know it. One of my primary goals as Section Manager is to promote the ARS to youth. This year I introduced the Delaware Section Youth Initiative. This initiative provides free programmed HT radio kits to newly licensed technicians still in school. Recent testing at the Nanticoke ARC and Poly Tech School by the Sussex Amateur Radio Testing Team just added 31 high school students to our list of youth licensed in Delaware. I was privileged to issue 31 shiny new radio kits to each new licensee. Getting these kids licensed is only the beginning of our fight. We must keep them engaged through mentors, assist them continue their journey of education to allow them to upgrade their license and participate in local clubs and activities. I ask every ARRL Affiliated Club President to reach out to your local schools and see if you can make a presentation. STEM students through technical schools are ripe for the pickings. As Section Manager I can put the full ARRL resources to our disposal to this cause. I would like to thank all of the local clubs, individual ham radio operators, Gigaparts and QRZ who have graciously donated funds & radios to this cause.

That time again. The DE QSO Party – May 3-5, 2025

The Delaware QSO Party, which has been running annually since at least 2007, sponsored by the First State Amateur Radio Club (FSARC), is an exciting annual event that invites amateur radio operators from across the country—and beyond—to make contacts with stations in Delaware. Held over a weekend, this contest provides a unique opportunity for hams to work all three counties in the First State while testing their operating skills and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow radio enthusiasts.  Whether you’re a seasoned contester or a casual operator, the Delaware QSO Party offers a fun and rewarding experience with a variety of operating categories and certificates available for participants.

This year’s event promises to be another great opportunity for operators to log rare Delaware contacts, as the state is often sought after in other radio contests. Stations operating from Delaware play a key role in providing multipliers for participants aiming for top scores. Whether you’re calling CQ from home, a club station, or a mobile setup traversing Delaware’s counties, your participation helps make the event a success. Join us for a weekend of radio excitement and help showcase Delaware’s vibrant amateur radio community. This is also a great event to do while you are in a park doing POTA. In fact, a large group of operators in Sussex County are operating a “3fer” event. May 3 is the Sussex ARES Ocean to Bay Bike Tour. So, several groups of operators will be in state parks at stops supporting the race and will be operating both POTA and the Delaware QSO party at the same time. Get in on the fun!

This QSO Party takes place during the first full weekend in May, this year that will be 1700Z, May 3 to 23:59Z, May 5. Information regarding this year’s QSO Party will be available here shortly: https://www.fsarc.org/qsoparty/qsohome.htm. Questions can be sent to qsoparty@gmail.com.

Intro to the ARRL – Part 3 – Section Manager Duties, Membership, Publications, Stats, etc.

As the ARRL Section Manager I am responsible for recruiting, appointing and supervising section-level staff to administer the Field Organization’s principal areas of responsibility in the section. Additional duties include filling additional volunteer positions, keeping ARRL members (I consider all licensee’s my responsibility) well informed concerning matters of the ARRL which includes ARRL policy, legislative matters, maintains liaison with Division level staff, correspondence with state agencies & ARRL Affiliated Clubs, create and distribute “Section News” (this newsletter), promotes the recruitment of not just ARRL members but all within the amateur radio community, visit both Winter Field Day and Field Day sites, and many other unlisted items.

If you want a national perspective look at the ARRL review the ARRL Annual Report which highlights previous activities, membership counts and the annual audit. There are approx. 136,000 ARRL Members within the approx. 742,000 nationwide. In Delaware we have 1,767 licensees. There are several clubs in each county in the state. Most are ARRL Affiliated Clubs with several not yet. The ARRL Delaware Section website lists mentors for each county.  These ‘mentors’ have voluntarily agreed to provide time and knowledge to assist new amateur radio operators. Membership costs vary from free to many students to a life membership for someone under 30 at $3,333.00.

Last year the ARRL raised the dues of ARRL members from $49 to $59 which became effective January, 2024. This also removed the mailing of the printed copy of QST and added an additional charge of $24 for the printed magazine. ARRL members are able to get online copies of their favorite magazines included in their membership. These magazines include QST; the monthly membership journal, On The Air; a bimonthly publication that explains the basics for new hams, QEX, a magazine that covers various topics related to amateur radio and experimentation and the NCJ, The National Contest Journal which is a publication that focuses on amateur radio contests.

If you are an ARRL member, ensure your preferences under your account at arrl.org are marked to enable you to get not only section emails from me but also division emails from our division staff.  Feel free to contact me with any questions about the ARRL and our section.

Upcoming Events & Contests

• ARRL Rookie Roundup – Sunday, April 13, 2025 using SSB. This contest is aimed at amateurs licensed three years or less to encourage newly-licensed operators (“Rookies”) in North America (including territories and possessions) to operate on the HF bands and experience competitive Amateur Radio operating. Experienced operators (“Non-Rookies”) are strongly encouraged to participate and help new operators – either on the air or in person.
• Delaware Radio Electronics EXPO, Delaware State Convention & HAMFEST – Saturday, April 26, 2025, Cheer Community Center, Georgetown, DE. Lots of new and used radio gear, HRO, tailgating, food from the “Ham Radio Cafe'”, VE testing, and presentations which include “Deployment to NC” during hurricane Helene and “Starlink for EmComm” presentation and demo. Visit www.radioelectronicsexpo.com for more information.

Visit contests.arrl.org or www.contestcalendar.com for details on these and upcoming contests. 

A Warm Welcome to Our Newest & Upgrading Members Join me in welcoming the latest additions to our vibrant community:

• KD3ASA, Jerome Zacks, Sr.
• KD3ASF, Christopher Martin
• KD3ASH, Nolan Sturgill
• KD3ASI, Ari Neal-Dickerson
• KD3ASK, Mohammed S. Diallo
• KD3ATJ, John Francis
• KD3AVP, Andrew Cronk
• KD3AWS, Joseph Reres

Engage our new radio operators!

As we close out this edition, let’s celebrate the growing enthusiasm among young newcomers to amateur radio. Their fresh perspectives, boundless curiosity, and eagerness to learn bring renewed energy to our community. Together, we have the unique opportunity to mentor and inspire the next generation, fostering skills, camaraderie, and lasting friendships. Let’s continue to share the joys of this incredible hobby, building connections that span generations and keeping the spirit of amateur radio alive for years to come. The future is bright, and the airwaves are waiting!

73, Steven Keller Delaware Section Manager 

Email: kc3dso@gmail.com 

Cell: 240.515.0620 Office: 302.604.7470 

ARRL Delaware Section Reflector (https://groups.io/g/ARRLDelawareSection) 

ARRL Sections – Delaware (https://arrl.org/sections/view/delaware)