03/12/2025
The recipients of the 2025 Dayton Hamvention¨ Awards[1] were announced on March
11, 2025. "The selection process was highly competitive, given the outstanding
quality of nominations submitted this year. We extend our heartfelt
congratulations to the winners for 2025," said Dayton Hamvention Awards Chair
Michael Kalter, W8CI.
Technical Achievement Award: Dr. Kristina Collins, KD8OXT
Dr. Kristina Collins, KD8OXT, serves as the Chief Operations Scientist for the
Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Personal Space Weather Station
Network. In this role, she collaborates with citizen scientists to pinpoint
significant events, organize campaigns, and ensure PSWS data is validated and
curated for scientific purposes. Listeners can hear her voice on WWV at 8
minutes past the hour and WWVH at 48 minutes past the hour, where she
introduces the test signal for the WWV/H Scientific Modulation Working Group.
Dr. Collins has been instrumental in organizing numerous workshops through
HamSCI and has guided many undergraduate and graduate students in radio science
projects, including instrument deployments, eclipse campaigns, and data
analysis. She is a dedicated member of the Case Amateur Radio Club, W8EDU,
working alongside her colleagues to integrate amateur radio into university
teaching and research.
At the Space Science Institute, Dr. Collins employs virtual reality and
sonification in her research to explore geospace and other interdisciplinary
scientific questions. Her primary research interests lie in using open-source
hardware and software to enhance participation and accelerate progress in
science and engineering.ÿ
Special Achievement: Julio Ripoll, WD4R
Julio Ripoll, WD4R, received his first amateur radio license in 1977. His
fascination with hurricanes began in childhood, sparked when Hurricane Betsy in
1965 damaged his family's home in Miami, Florida, causing water to pour into
his bedroom. In 1980, Dr. Neal Frank, then director of the National Hurricane
Center (NHC), requested an amateur radio station within the NHC to facilitate
communication with the Caribbean during hurricanes. Julio was chosen for this
important task. W4EHW (now WX4NHC) handled its first hurricane that year, and
Julio's initial two-year assignment with the NHC has since extended to 45
years, covering over 100 hurricanes.
In 2010, shortly after the Haiti earthquake, Ripoll was tasked with setting up
and managing operations between the University of Miami (UM) Hospital in
Florida and the UM field hospital in Haiti. He swiftly coordinated with US and
Haitian officials, organizing a team of amateur radio operators from across the
US to run HH2/WX4NHC in Haiti. Beyond the field hospital, the team provided
vital communication links to the US Navy hospital ship Comfort, facilitating
helicopter and speed-boat patient transfers that saved many lives. Julio and
his team's use of amateur radio in public service demonstrated significant
merit, earning high regard for amateur radio capabilities.
Club of the Year: RV Radio Network (RVRN)
The RVRN's roots date back over 40 years to a chapter of the Texas Good Sam
Club, which included a few ham radio operators. These hams started a net that
drew in other Good Sam RVers from neighboring states, leading to gatherings at
campgrounds where their fellow net members lived. The net quickly outgrew the
Texas chapter, gaining members nationwide, and thus, the RV Radio Network
(RVRN) was born. Today, RVRN boasts over 450 members.
From the beginning, the club organized activities that not only expanded
knowledge of ham radio and related technology, but also allowed for the
enjoyment of recreational vehicle (RV) travel and meeting fellow hams and RVers
across the country.
They stay connected through various ham radio nets and meet in person whenever
possible. They have 10 different HF nets each week, along with a weekly
international EchoLink multi-mode net and a video net over the internet.
There are two major rallies a year featuring educational forums and seminars,
tours of RV radio equipment, and antenna configurations. If there's an
interesting industry nearby, they might invite a guest speaker to share
insights about their operations. And, of course, they enjoy the social events
and entertainment common to typical RV rallies.
Amateur of the Year: Neil Rapp, WB9VPG
Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, from Union, Kentucky, earned his Novice ticket in 1976 at
the remarkable age of 5, making him one of the youngest licensed amateur radio
operators ever.
Currently a visiting professor of chemistry at Xavier University, Rapp has a
rich history in education. He previously taught chemistry and sponsored amateur
radio clubs for 28 years at two high schools in Indiana, introducing over 3,600
students to amateur radio.
In 2019, Rapp co-founded and became the camp director of Youth On The Air
(YOTA) Americas, which connects young amateurs with peers through activities
that encourage their continued involvement in amateur radio. YOTA groups
organize peer-led activities, such as summer camps, contesting opportunities,
and special events for licensed amateur radio operators under the age of 26.
Rapp's contributions to the amateur radio community extend further. He is a
contributing editor of the Next-Gen Contesters column in the National Contest
Journal, a member of the ARISS USA Education Committee, a reporter and anchor
for Amateur Radio Newsline, and the founder and former host of the Ham Talk
Live! webcast.
The 2025 Dayton Hamvention[2]¨ will be held Friday, May 16 through Sunday, May
18, 2025, at the Greene County Fair and Expo Center, 210 Fairground Road,
Xenia, Ohio.
[1]
https://hamvention.org/event-details/awards/
[2]
https://hamvention.org/
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