Wes got into ham radio in high school, and it lead to a career in electronics and aerospace.  He retired from Boeing after 37 years.  Wes was a team member of 5 DXpeditions of the Year ( XR0Y, VK0IR, A52A, FT5XO and VP8ORK) and also was a member of the VP8THU, VP8GEO  VP8ORK and D68C teams.  Wes is now very active in encouraging youth to consider STEM via ham radio as a hobby, and chairs the North Fulton Amateur Radio League's "HamJam" gathering (see www.hamjam.info for more information), where all the proceeds go for youth education, scholarships, and activities. 

As a young boy Jeff became fascinated with ham radio after his grandfather setup a shortwave radio at his house.  He spent many hours at night listening to stations around the world and put getting his ham radio license on his bucket list.  It wasn’t until his later years in life that he went onto get his amateur radio license.  He enjoys DXing, Morse code, digital modes, operating equipment using alternative energy sources and the joy of meeting new hams from around the world.  In 2014 Jeff was team leader for a DXpedition to South East Lighthouse on Block Island, RI.  The lighthouse was activated for the first time for the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend. He hosts several DXpeditions a year on the island of Saba in the Dutch Caribbean, operating as PJ6A for contesting.  Several contests have been won and world records set from this location.  He was a member of the 2015 DXpedition to Navassa operating as K1N.  Saba is a volcanic island surrounded by a marine park. Each year Jeff volunteers to support the Sea & Learn program, whose objective is to reinforce the importance of protecting nature and educate the potential safe-keepers in order to sustain viability of Saba's eco-tourism product and other environments throughout the world.

My name is Morgan Croucher, KD8ZLK (KD8 Zoo Liking Kid), I am a young man living in Lewisburg, a small village in Preble County Ohio.  My current mentor in amateur radio got me interested at the age of fourteen years old and helped me accomplish my Amateur Radio Technician License.  I then set myself forward to purchase my first radio (rig), a Yaesu FT-897D, and accomplished it in 4 months.  Now at fifteen years old I am currently studying for my Amateur Radio General License and my driver’s license.  I hold an (A) average at Tri-County North High School in my hometown, I am looking forward and getting ready for a life changing trip, traveling to the Island of Saba for a DX Adventure.  I also enjoy working with animals and learning how to care for their medical needs.  My plans for the future are to attend Montgomery County CTC (Career Technology Center) this fall studying robotics and work eventually in this field.
 

I like staying busy with the many involvements of high school and the two radio clubs I belong to, Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) where I helped by working at the Dayton Hamvention in 2015, and Mound Amateur Radio Association (MARA), where I have worked many radio operations, chairing one in Miamisburg last year where I acted as the net controller, I also co-chaired an event for MARA.  I am a member of The American Radio Relay League (ARRL), for 2 years now, and greatly enjoy their QST Magazine.

While listening to my first amateur radio conversation at 9 years old at a neighbor’s house, l heard Big Ben chime in London.  I was hooked.  Electronics always interested me. After High School, I found moving forward in amateur radio rather difficult because I had no mentor to inspire and coax me along.  I continued to listen, but didn’t pursue my licenses.  My goals changed along the way and I began to apply my efforts to helping others with their electronics needs through BSA.  Through conversations with Daniel, our neighbor’s son, I learned he had caught the amateur radio bug from his great grandfather. Daniel studied and achieved his Technician license, KD8DRY and is now an Extra.  He always kept me up on all of the new things going on in amateur radio, throwing down the gauntlet, three years ago this 2016 Hamvention^®, challenging me to get my licenses.  I am so glad he did.  I have been going strong ever since because of his challenges and inspiration.  I am now an Extra. I am involved with local amateur radio groups: DARA, MARA, ARES, and CERT.  I also found another deep devotion of mine, the Masonic Brotherhood, is very strong in amateur radio and makes for a great way to help others.  One of my brothers in the lodge had 7 boys that were always looking for something to do. One of them started asking me questions and before long he caught the radio bug. He is now a Technician.  Morgan, KD8ZLK, is now studying for his General. I am currently concentrating my efforts into helping him study for his General ticket and getting ready for the DX Youth Adventure to Saba Island, where Morgan and I will be traveling to this summer.  Like my mentors, I enjoy keeping the amateur radio fever going by nudging others, like good friends Fred, W4YPW, Brent, KE8CNU, and Kyle, KE8CVC, to pursue that next step in the amateur license ladder.  Wish them luck!!

Ruth, KM4LAO, is a 17-year-old General Extra Class Amateur Radio Operator from Georgia. Yay - congratulations. After discovering ham radio because of an interest in Morse code, she earned her Technician class license in June 2015. She earned her General in January 2016 and recently Extra. She is a member of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society (GARS), the North Fulton Amateur Radio League (NFARL), the Young Ladies Radio League (YLRL), and the Straight Key Century Club (SKCC). 

Ruth is on VHF/UHF nets weekly, including the NFARL Youth Net where she is often net control. However, her HF privileges have truly opened up the world to her! Operating either SSB or CW, Ruth loves making contacts, chasing DX, and working as many parks as possible for National Parks on the Air. In addition, she has participated in many events with local clubs, including Field Day, Maker Faire Atlanta, Girl Scout STEM Expo, Atlanta Science Festival ARISS contact, and Winter Field Day.

Recently upgraded to Extra!!!  Yayyyy.  Sharon has her Tech license just before the Dayton Hamvention.  She was introduced to the world of ham radio through her daughter’s interest in learning Morse code and obtaining her own license.  While supporting Ruth in achieving her goals, she has attended several local ham radio events this year, including Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society club meetings, ham fest and Field Day.  She has enjoyed getting to know the local hams and learning about all the many different aspects of this fun hobby.