Windham, NH May 26, 2011
WRTC2014 ACTIVE DURING DAYTON HAMVENTION® WEEKEND
WRTC2014, Inc., host of the 2014 World Radiosport Team Championship competition, was highly visible at multiple events during the Dayton Hamvention® weekend May 20-21, 2011. Members of the WRTC 2014 organizing committee met with the WRTC Advisory Committee, explored equipment options with ham radio vendors, discussed event plans with interested contesters, and did some fund raising.
The three initial WRTC2014 Advisory Council members were attending the convention and spent some time sharing their experience with the organizing committee and contributing some valuable ideas. WRTC2014 Chairman Doug Grant, K1DG, said, “We have much to do in a short time. It is great to have access to their experience.” He continued, “A number of prospective Advisory Council members stepped forward and we look forward to announcing them in the near future.”
WRTC2014 Co-Chair Randy Thompson, K5ZD, and his WRTC 2010 teammate Tom Georgens, W2SC, gave a presentation about their WRTC experience in Moscow to a packed Contest Forum on Saturday afternoon. Thompson stated, “This was the most intense operating event I have ever experienced!” One of the principal organizers of WRTC2010, Igor “Harry” Booklan, was in attendance and recognized for his outstanding work in managing the Moscow event.
After years and years of consecutive wins in the Poisson d’Avril Contest (see http://poissondavril.webs.com/), contest organizer Doug Grant, K1DG, decided to give someone else a chance for the victory – by offering the winner’s trophy at auction on behalf of WRTC2014 fund raising. The winning bid of $300 was submitted by the multi-op team of W1MD, K1QX, and K1XX. The new champions received the spoils of their victory in front of the Contest Forum attendees. Marty Durham, W1MD, could only stand in silent awe as he was handed the multi-colored trophy with blinking lights (design by Scott, KA9FOX).
A highlight of the Hamvention weekend for contesters is the Contest Dinner on Saturday night at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Dayton. WRTC2014 was featured on the inside cover of the dinner program. The WRTC organizers also placed an envelope on each table and asked attendees to make a donation or pledge. The table with the highest total was promised a prize. The winning table with contributions from John Evans, N3HBX, George Harlem, W1EBI, Ed Parish, K1EP, Al Rousseau, W1FJ, Eric Scace, K3NA, and Mark Bailey KD4D, donated $2351. They each received $100 gift certificates from DX Engineering or Ham Radio Outlet. The second place table, with $1800, included contributions by W2GD, W3LPL, W2SC, YV5EED, K5GO, JH1NBN, W6VNR, and K4ZA. Contributions from the dinner attendees totaled $15,025 in cash, checks, and pledges.
Doug Grant, K1DG, expressed his appreciation to everyone who contributed. “More than a radio competition, WRTC2014 is a chance to share the fun of radiosport with others inside and outside the hobby. These contributions will help us accomplish that mission.”
For information about WRTC2014, contact WRTC Chairman, Doug Grant, K1DG, via e-mail at k1dg@wrtc2014.org.
About WRTC 2014
The World Radiosport Team Championship (WRTC) is held every four years and consists of approximately 50 two-person teams of amateur radio operators from around the world competing in a test of operating skill. Unlike most on-the-air competitions, all stations are required to use identical antennas from the same geographic region, eliminating all variables except operating ability. Previous WRTCs have been held in Seattle (1990), San Francisco (1996), Slovenia (2000), Finland (2002), Brazil (2006), and Russia (2010). More information is available at www.wrtc2014.org.