New Amateur Radio Operators Organization from K1DG on April 16, 2010 View comments about this article! 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 MEDIA CONTACT: [email protected]
