The ARRL Foundation manages special funds that provide awards to celebrate individual accomplishments and grant for youth-oriented Amateur Radio activities.

 

NEW EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FUND CREATED!

 

In February 2013 the ARRL Foundation Board of Directors created the Alfred E. Friend, Jr., W4CF, Educational Activities Fund to support Amateur Radio projects linked to organized programs and projects designed for groups to pursue on-going education in wireless/STEM/radio technology with special emphasis involving youth and teacher development

 

 

William I. Orr, W6SAI, was an engineer, educator and communicator of extraordinary ability. Over a period of 40 years he wrote and edited scores of technical books and articles of interest to Amateur Radio enthusiasts. His topics ranged from basic electronic theory to microwave communications to the theory, design, construction and magic of antennas.   Whether explaining electronic theory or the intricacies of a microwave amplifier for EME communications, Bill had the ability to use a simple, plain language. He wrote about technical subjects in a way that naturally attracted amateurs who had an interest in the topic but lacked a technical background in the area.
  This fund was established through generous donations by Steve Cornell, K4AHA.

  Award Criteria: The Bill Orr, W6SAI, Technical Writing Award is awarded yearly to the QST author who writes an outstanding QST article or series articles on new or existing technologies (or methods or means of amateur communication). The article should be written in an easily understood style, worthy of the Bill Orr "stamp of approval" - it should encourage interest and expand the knowledge and understanding of amateurs who may not have a strong technical background.
  Selection Process: The selection panel will be the ARRL QST editorial staff, who will recommend the winner from a review of the year's QST articles to the ARRL Foundation Board for final approval at the Annual Meeting (usually late January).
  Award: The award will be an engraved plaque to be presented at an ARRL convention if possible.

Winners:

2002  Ian Poole, G3YWX for "Understanding Solar Indices"

2003  Ward Silver, NØAX for "Hands on Radio", "Amplifier Care and Maintenance", and "A Contest Primer"

2004  Paul Danzer, N1II for "Open Wire Feedline - A Second Look"

2005  Phil Salas, AD5X for "A compact Battery Pack for the SG-2020", "Tuning Switch with Limit Indication for Screwdrive Antennas" and "Input Voltage Conditioner and More for the FT-817"

2006  Richard Campbell, KK7B for "Micro T2 Receiver and Transmitter"

2007  Jim DeLoach, WUØI for "Balloon-Lifted Full-Wave Loop Antennas"

2008  Larry Scheff, W4QEJ for "Lightning: Understand It or Suffer the Consequences"

2009  Bob Schroeder, N2HZ for "Electromagnetic Pulse and Its Implications for Emcomm"

2010  Eric Nichols, KL7AJ for "Gimme an X, Gimme an O"

2011  Kai Siwiak, KE4PT for "Is there an Optimum Height for an HF Antenna"

2012 Thomas Brooks, KE1R for "PSK31—A Different View"

2013 Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA for "The Sun and the Ionosphere"

2014 Eric Nichols, KL7AJ for "Using Your Grid Dip Meter Oscillator"

2015 Joel Hallas, W1ZR for "Standing Wave Ratio - What Does It Really Mean?"

2016 H. Ward Silver, NØAX for "About SSB" 

2017 Paul Danzer, N1II for "The ABCs of a Digital Multimeter"

2018 Bob Heil, K9EID for "The Pine Board Project:

2019 Randy Standke, KQ6RS, for "Identify and Track Down RFI"

2020 Ellwood (Woody) Brem, K3YV for "'Leaky' Antenna Switches"

 

 

Groups that qualify for mini-grants will include, but not be limited to, high school radio clubs, youth groups, and general-interest radio clubs that sponsor subgroups of young people or otherwise make a special effort to get them involved in club activities. Minigrants, not to exceed $1,000 per grant, will be made for such projects as securing equipment for antennas for club stations, purchasing training materials, supporting local service projects that bring favorable public exposure, and similar activities. Preference will be given to projects for which matching funds are raised locally.

 An applicant for a mini-grant must write a brief, but complete proposal including such items as:

*  Names, call signs (if applicable), addresses and telephone numbers of sponsors

*  Objectives of the proposed program

*  Existing resources if relevant (e.g. status of school club station, etc.)

*  Concise, realistic statement of financial need

*  Description   of   local   resources   (e.g.   matching   funds,   specific   financial   and/or equipment/material contributions)

*  Commitment of relevant local non-ham group (e.g. school, school science coordinator and/or principle, school board)

*  Any relevant supporting documentation including letters of support, letters of intent, pledges and the like

* Timeframe; local evaluation process; criteria for evaluating program effectiveness/success

 

The ARRL Foundation is eager to assist worthy local Amateur Radio youth efforts through the Victor C. Clark Youth Incentive Program. We look forward to receiving your proposal in the near future.

 

 

 

 

 

Endowed by the estate of Alfred E. Friend, Jr., W4CF, this fund is intended to provide grants for educational programs and activities of Amateur Radio organizations.

 The Alfred E. Friend, Jr., W4CF, Educational Activities Fund will be administered by the ARRL Foundation based on the following criteria:

 

1)       Applicants must submit a grant application form and detailed budget via the ARRL Foundation website at http://www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-grants.

2)       The Fund will provide annual grants to organized programs and projects designed for groups to pursue on-going education in wireless/STEM/radio technology with special emphasis on activities involving youth and teacher development.

 

3)       Applicants with local radio club participation and community fund raising will be given preference.

 

4)       Grants will be awarded annually as recommended by the ARRL Foundation Proposals Committee and approved by vote of the ARRL Foundation Board of Directors.   The application deadline for each year is October 1^st.

 

5)       Grant awards may be renewed based on a performance report by the award winner during the award year and submission of an application for renewed funding.