San Francisco Section Summer 2023 News

Summer is here, and that brings...... Field Day!   That’s this weekend as if you didn’t already know it.  Please be sure that your club is listed on the ARRL website under the Field Day Locator.

The balance of this column will be written by a guest.  Well, he is kind of a guest.  It is written by Dr. Antonis Papatsaras AA6PP.  Antonis is currently an Assistant Section Manager for the San Francisco Section of ARRL, and he is now the Section Manager-Elect.  His term as Section Manager begins October 1, 2023.  I have known Antonis for several years.  He will bring renewed energy and enthusiasm as Section Manager.

A little about Antonis -

  Antonis is an exceptional individual who brings a wealth of technical experience, expertise, and strong ethics to this role. His background is technology, software and hardware, currently serving as the Chief Technology Officer of Hootsuite. Antonis served as a president of the San Francisco Radio Club and was instrumental in boosting its membership as well as modernizing its technology and operations. Antonis sense of community is strong, a skill that will unite our section even further in the future. Please join me in welcoming Antonis, AA6PP and offering him our full support as he assumes his position on October 1st later this year.  I have every confidence in his ability to execute and look forward to assisting in his success.

Antonis will continue his duties as Assistant SF Section Manager until his term commences.

Take it away, Antonis!

I am honored to be elected as the new ARRL SF Section Manager commencing my duties on October 1st, 2023. As a passionate and dedicated amateur radio operator, I am committed to serving our vibrant community and advancing the interests of amateur radio within our section.

With years of active involvement in amateur radio, I have developed a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that our hobby faces in modern times. I have witnessed first hand the transformative power of amateur radio in fostering innovation, emergency communication, and community building.

I have served as the president and director of one of the oldest radio clubs in the USA, the San Francisco Radio Club, for several years, where I have used my technical skills to guide, modernize and advance our club and hobby. For the past 14 years I have volunteered my time to help our local community as well as with communications during large scale events in the Bay Area. Over the past 6 years I have been managing a team of radio volunteers that provide an interface between the organizers, medical teams and athletes in both the Kaiser Half Marathon and San Francisco Full Marathon events.

My focus as a SF Section Manager will be to:

1. Strengthen Communication and awareness between ARRL and our community.

2. Promote Youth Engagement: The future of amateur radio lies in the hands of our young operators.

3. Enhance Emergency Preparedness and raise awareness with our local agencies and participation from ARRL members.

4. Encourage Diversity and Inclusion in membership and within the hobby.

5. Increase ARRL membership and representation within the SF section.

I am super excited to bring my passion, energy and integrity to this role and I am looking forward to working with you all to ensure that amateur radio continues to flourish within the SF region and beyond.

Upcoming Summer Events:

June 24 - 25, 2023 - Field Day is almost here! And this one marks 90 years since the most popular ham event started.  Many clubs and groups across the US will be practicing their skills of setting up their stations and operating during Field day this year. ARRL expects over 40,000 thousand individuals to participate in this 27h operating marathon that will light the Amateur radio bands! Alongside, hams from around the world will be on the air, an opportunity to stretch your signal as far as you can. Field day is also an opportunity for non-hams to learn about the hobby, to join our community, and operate our Get on the Air (GOTA) stations. Please make sure that if your club/group is operating this year, your location and times of operation are listed on the ARRL Field Day locator so that visitors can find you. Finally please brush up on your understanding of the event rules and don’t forget to have fun!

Club Presidents - Reminder - If your club is affiliated with ARRL, please be sure that your club's information is updated on the ARRL website.  That way prospective members can find you!

Yours,

Antonis, AA6PP

Assistant Section Manager

San Francisco Section

ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio™

If you or your club have something you'd like to have mentioned here, please drop me an email with the information to consider.

TNX es 73

Bill Hillendahl KH6GJV

Section Manager

San Francisco Section