YASME EXCELLENCE AWARDS & SUPPORTING GRANT

[IK0ZCW]

In 2008 The Yasme Foundation (http://www.yasme.org/) established the Yasme Excellence Award, to be presented to individuals and groups who, through their own service, creativity, effort and dedication, have made a significant contribution to amateur radio. The contribution may be in recognition of technical, operating or organizational achievement, as all three are necessary for amateur radio to grow and prosper. The latest recipients, announced on 25 October, are:
* Brian Machesney, K1LI, and Michelle Guenard - in recognition of their extraordinary efforts on behalf of Commonwealth of Dominica communities in the wake of the 2017 hurricane season. Their efforts included fundraising, delivery of communications supplies, on-site support, and application of amateur radio technologies to support the relief efforts which continue today.
* Fred Kleber, K9VV/KP2 - in recognition of Fred's leadership and technical Skills that support the Virgin Islands' emergency communications capabilities. Fred has been a key player long before hurricanes Irma and Maria devasted the islands. He is hard at work today re-building and extending the interisland communication systems even after his own station suffered extensive damage.
* Zorro Miyazawa, JH1AJT - for his extensive promotion of amateur radio in developing countries. Governments and telecommunications administrators in Bangladesh (S2), Bhutan (A5), Cambodia (XU), Eritrea (E3) and Myanmar (XZ) have benefited from Zorro's patient and skillful efforts, supporting his own government and his fellow amateurs in Japan and around the world.
* Stu Phillips, K6TU - for contributions to amateur radio through his Propagation and DX Strategy website (https://www.k6tu.net/). In particular his innovative tools, free for amateur use, enhance the use of the High Frequency Terrain Analysis (HFTA) program developed by Dean Straw, N6BV, another Excellence Award recipient in 2012.
* Randy Wright, W6CUA - in recognition of his long service to the Yasme Foundation as our Awards Manager. His steady efforts and exacting attention to detail and customer service are greatly appreciated.
The Board of Directors of the Yasme Foundation has also made a significant grant to ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, http://www.ariss.org/) in support of the Critical Infrastructure Fund. Yasme has supported this important upgrade to the ISS amateur station since the effort began and challenges other organizations and individuals to support it, as well. As of late 2018, ARISS is the only non-commercial entity being considered for NASA's Deep Space Gateway program, indicating the importance with which the space program views amateur radio. Putting and keeping amateur radio in space is a significant expense and needs the support of the entire amateur community. [TNX K4ZW]