Hamvention® 2008 Award Winners

Three ham radio operators who have made significant contributions to the Amateur Radio Service, will be honored guests when Hamvention® 2008 opens in Hara Arena on May 16.

Recipients of this year's Hamvention® awards are Ward Silver, N0AX, whose books and teaching materials have helped many become hams; Tom McDermott, N5EG, whose technical contributions helped digital ham radio expand; and Emery McClendon, KB9IBW,  who started  Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day (ARMAD) in 2003 as a way for Amateur Radio to express support and appreciation for our service men and women.

Frank Beafore, WS8B, Hamvention® Awards Chairman said selecting the winners from the number of worthy nominees presented a tough task for the committee. "We believe the winners all have made significant contributions to the ham radio community. We were impressed with the quality of the nominations."       

Hamvention® Chairman Carl Rose, K8CPR, praised the winners, saying:
On behalf of the Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) and Hamvention® 2008 it is my pleasure to congratulate this years Award Winners.  I ask all hams to join me in recognizing the outstanding contributions and the many years of service the winners have given to the amateur radio service."           

Ward Silver, was named Amateur of the Year for his many contributions including Ham Radio for Dummies, his first effort to show that becoming a ham does not have to be a difficult challenge.  His additional books, magazine articles and his Hands On column in QST have all helped many hams develop their knowledge and skills. Though he has been honored for his efforts, including receiving the Bill Orr Technical Writing Award from the ARRL, he said, "The best reward, though, is hearing from readers that have found my writing helpful in understanding some aspect of electronics or radio."

He was first licensed at age 17 in 1972 as WNØGQP, and upgraded to Extra and NØAX in 1975.  A contester and DXer he appears in the DXCC Honor Roll, lots of contest Top Ten boxes, and on a few record lists.

While living on Vashon Island, near Seattle WA, he worked closely with community leaders and the Vashon-Maury Island Radio Club (W7VMI) to provide effective emergency communications. Working together, the fire district, CERT, and radio club members have created one of the best local communications systems in the state of Washington.

He continues to pursue a variety of writing and editing projects with the ARRL, such as the training manuals for all three license classes and the ARRL Contester's Rate Sheet biweekly newsletter read by nearly 17,000 subscribers.  He said, "Ham radio continues to open doors for me and I am honored to enjoy the friendship of my many ham radio friends in every corner of the globe."

Emery McClendon, KB9IBW

Emery McClendon, KB9IBW, received the Hamvention award for Special Achievement for his efforts starting ARMAD or Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day in 2003.  He said he started ARMAD "as a way to have Amateur Radio serve as a tool for the people of our communities to be able to express 'live' support and appreciation for our Troops, Veterans, Military Retired; and First Responders."

The event has become popular and spread to other communities. Several Military Support Groups have developed an interest in having Amateur Radio as a part of their activities.  This resulted in Amateur Radio being introduced to thousands of people worldwide that otherwise would have never known about our public service.

McClendon, a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, became an Amateur Radio Operator 16 years ago. His interest in organizing Military Special Events came from his four years of service in the U.S. Air Force, and two years in the Indiana Air National Guard. In 2001 he was asked to make Amateur Radio a part of The Vietnam Wall Experience for the City Of Fort Wayne, and in 2003 was asked to organize Amateur Radio into the Fort Wayne Glen Beck Rally For America.  The events went so well that he was asked to organize Amateur Radio for the National Rally For America held in Huntington, West Virginia.

He is active with two local Amateur Radio Clubs, and with giving presentations about Amateur Radio to community groups.  His activities, including ARMAD, have resulted in many TV, Radio, and media stories over the past five years giving Amateur Radio community exposure.  

The Hamvention Technical Achievement Award goes to Thomas C. McDermott, N5EG, for his more than 20 years of involvement in projects which further the development of amateur radio. He co-developed the TexNet packet switching network in 1986, based on datagram routing. In the 1990s it covered much of the south central United States. He was the founder of the Texas Packet Radio Society.

In 1994 he developed the TAPR-AMSAT windows software development system for the DSP-93 modem, including software-based instruments (oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, signal generator). In 1996 he wrote a textbook on Wireless Digital Communications for TAPR, and developed the TAPR VNA in 2004.  These projects provide an on-going revenue stream for TAPR to help fund other activities and development projects. Tom received the ARRL technical excellence award in 2005, and is a life member of the ARRL. He enjoys operating RTTY and an occasional contest. He is married and lives in Medford, Oregon.

Hamvention, the world's largest amateur radio gathering, brings more than 20,000 people to the greater Dayton area each year.

The three-day event includes exhibits, a flea market, forums and education sessions.

For more information about Dayton Hamvention 2008 (scheduled for May 16-18), visit the website at www.hamvention.org or e-mail media@hamvention.org.