ARRL announces Leonard Award winners

Three people have been named as recipients of the ARRL's 2009 Bill Leonard W2SKE, Professional Media Award.

First up in the audio category is radio host Ted Randall, WB8PUM of the weekly QSO Radio Show. The ARRL Board of Directors recognized that Randall's show has become even more effective as a podcast of consistently high quality in its treatment of issues within amateur radio, week after week. Ted was the recipient of this award in 2008, as well.

In the area of video, the award was given to reporter Kim Byrnes of Kansas City television station WDAF. She covered the Raytown Amateur Radio Club's 2009 Field Day operation for her station's Sunday morning news magazine.

Byrnes also provided reports on the diverse aspects of amateur radio, specifically highlighting ham radio as a hobby, as an emergency communications service, and as a radiosport. She also chronicled the evolution of two-way radio technology with what the Board called a fascinating video report.

Lastly, the print journalism award was given to Vicky Taylor who is a reporter for the Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, newspaper Public Opinion. She was honored for her coverage of the licensing of 8 year-old Victoria Latham, KB3SSM, and her 7 year-old sister Veronica, KB3SSN.

This was the heartwarming story of how these two pre-teens convinced their dad Shannon, W3SML, and mom Rachel, KB3RNP, that they were ready to get their ham tickets.

ARNewsline, ARRL