Nominations Invited for 2008 Young Ham of the Year Award

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2008 Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year (YHOTY) Award. The award honors a licensee 18 years old or younger who has used ham radio to significantly contribute to the benefit of the Amateur Radio Service, to the state of the communications art, to the community or the nation. Any FCC licensed radio amateur, age 18 or younger, residing in the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii), Canada or Puerto Rico is eligible to be nominated for this award. Nominations and supporting materials must be submitted before May 30, 2008 on an official application.

According to Amateur Radio Newsline's Pill Pasternak, WA6ITF, "This award is not a contest for a prize. Any prizes given are secondary in nature. A person selected 'Young Ham of the Year' is judged on his or her contributions to society through Amateur Radio. For example, a youngster whose only claim to fame is that of being licensed as an Extra at age four would not necessarily be judge as having made a significant contribution to the Amateur Radio Service. On the other hand, a 14 year old Novice or Technician running a Net during a major disaster or crisis would definitely be given consideration."

The 2007 YHOTY was Grant H. Morine, W4GHM, then a 17 year old from Wilmington, North Carolina. Morine was selected based on his commitment to Amateur Radio, along with his work in public service and his promotion of the Amateur Radio Service to others through the Boy Scouts of America.

The 2008 Amateur Radio Newsline YHOTY Award will be presented on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at the Huntsville Hamfest in Huntsville, Alabama. As the 2007 Young Ham of the Year, Morine received a trip to the Huntsville Hamfest, ham radio equipment, various books and magazines and an all-expense-paid week at Spacecamp in Huntsville. Amateur Radio Newsline awarded Morine with a commemorative plaque at the ceremony.

To obtain a nomination form, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to 2006 Young Ham of the Year Award, c/o Newsline, 28197 Robin Ave, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, or download the form from the Internet. Nominations may be electronically submitted, but supporting materials must be submitted separately. Presentation of the 2008 YHOTY Award will take place in August at the Huntsville Hamfest in Alabama. For more information, please see the YHOTY Web site.

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