SM: Susan Swiderski, AF4FO; ASM/South GA: Marshall Thigpen, W4IS; ASM/Legal: Jim Altman, W4UCK; ASM/Webmaster: Bob Smith, K4PHE; ASM/Youth Activities: Brittney Hancock, KI4WNY; ASM/Youth Advisor: Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM; ASM/Scouting: David Pearce, ABØNG;
ASM/ARES database: Steve Garrison, N4SEG; SEC: Gene Clark, W4AYK; STM: Charles Pennington, K4GK; OOC: Mike Swiderski, K4HBI;
TC: Jim Worsham, W4KXY; PIC: Norm Schklar, WA4ZXV; SGL: Bill Cherepy, WB4WTN; ACC: Robin Cutshaw, AA4RC

Greetings, All

The Ellijay Hamfest was a winner again this year. No surprise there. In addition to the fine boneyard, indoor vendors, well-attended forums, and friendly atmosphere, SE Division Director GREG SARRATT, W4OZK, and his lovely bride BLANCHE, N4LUV, were in attendance, and Greg took advantage of the opportunity to present our own JOHN STANLEY, K4ERO, with the ARRL's 2009 DeMaw Technical Excellence Award. It's a truly beautiful engraved crystal cup, and in what we believe is a FIRST, this is actually the SECOND year in a row that John was selected as the recipient of this prestigious award.

CONGRATULATIONS, John.

CLUB MILESTONES: Congratulations to the PAULDING ARC, for reaching its 10th year of ARRL affiliation, and to the COASTAL PLAINS ARC, for hitting 25 years.

DX-PEDITION, ANYONE? Here's something rather exciting that some of you might want to consider: In support of National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 12 to 18, amateur radio operators are being offered the unique opportunity to conduct sanctioned amateur radio operations from various wildlife refuges around the country! How great is that? You can operate for a day, or you can operate for the entire week. Why not get a special event call sign, and design a QSL card or certificate based on the beautiful site of your operations? Work the pile-ups. Enjoy amateur radio in the great outdoors.

However, be advised that ONLY authorized, responsible access to refuges is sanctioned by this event, which is being coordinated by the KP1-5 Project, the same group that made the 2009 DXpedition to Desecheo Island possible. In addition to coordinating your efforts by following the directions provided on the website, you must also secure permission from the manager of the wildlife refuge where you want to operate, and it should go without saying, but you must demonstrate the utmost respect for the site during your stay. Intrigued?

You can find more info at http://www.nwrweek-radio.info/

NEW APPOINTMENTS: It's a pleasure to announce that LOWRY ROUSE, KM4Z, has accepted the appointment as Assistant SEC for Operations. Over the years, Lowry has served us ably as SEC, DEC, and EC, and we welcome him and his considerable skills to this new role. And a cheery welcome aboard also to two new ECs: in Twiggs county, it's ROY WOOD, JR, KJ4LAM, and in Wheeler county, it's PAUL PRATT II, KI4MNR. Thanks to all of you fine gentlemen for your willingness to serve.

COMING UP:
September 5-6 Shelby, NC Hamfest.
September 12 Prater's Mill Hamfest. (tailgate only, and it's FREE)
September 19 Paulding ARC Hamfest, Dallas, GA.

SILENT KEYS: ROBERT TERRELL, SR, WD4DJG, and RALPH "TY" TYRRELL, W1TF.

Heartfelt condolences to their families and friends.

Well, folks, that's about it for now. Until next time, this is AF4FO, signing clear. Take care of yourselves. And each other. 73, Susan

QTC July: WA4ZXV-334; WA9WNE-304; K4GK-124; K4BG-117; WB4BIK-70; WA4UJC-46; K4BAI-22

No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

ARRL Georgia Section
Section Manager: Susan K. Swiderski, AF4FO af4fo@arrl.org