06/08/2023

"Surf a Radio Wave" was the headline for the Pacific Northwest's largest
amateur radio convention, SEA-PAC[1], which held its 41st event, June 2 - 4,
2023, in Seaside, Oregon. The convention hosted the 2023 ARRL Northwestern
Division Convention.

ARRL Education and Learning Manager Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, delivered an
inspiring keynote address at Saturday's banquet. Goodgame spoke about current
and future ARRL initiatives to increase the adoption of amateur radio by more
schools as part of a STEM education curriculum. His spouse, Cyndi Goodgame,
K5CYN, spoke at the YL Luncheon, on the topic of developing the next generation
of young women in amateur radio. She was joined by Katherine Campbell, KE8LQR,
of Columbiana, Ohio, and ARDC Executive Director Rosy Schechter, KJ7RYV, of
Portland, Oregon. Both offered personal perspectives on being active hams. At
age 15, Campbell holds an Amateur Extra Class license, and participates in many
hamfests to recruit and encourage other young hams.

A large student presence at SEA-PAC was organized by Scott Rosenfeld, N7JI,
Technical Advisor for the ham radio club at the University of Oregon (UO),
Ducks on the Air[2]. Students from three schools supported a booth for the ARRL
Collegiate Amateur Radio Program including UO, Portland State University (PSU),
and Oregon State University. "It was great to see such enthusiastic
participation from the students, such great support from ARRL and the SEA-PAC
organizers, and so much personal interaction between attendees and our students
supporting collegiate amateur radio," said Rosenfeld. PSU students used the
opportunity to present their student-led aerospace project, OreSat, Oregon's
first satellite. OreSat0 is a CubeSat that launched In March 2022. Additional
OreSats are in various stages of development and launch planning. Students
track and receive data from the satellites with amateur radio. "The students
enjoyed the experience so much that they've already discussed doing it again
next year, and how to make the experience even better," added Rosenfeld, who
thanked show attendees for spending time talking with the students.

Saturday's ARRL Membership forum was moderated by Northwestern Division
Director Mike Ritz, W7VO. Ritz reminded members of ARRL's 2023 theme, Year of
the Volunteers. CEO David Minster, NA2AA, invited members to "reach one rung
higher" in their volunteerism and support for ARRL and amateur radio. President
Rick Roderick, K5UR, charged, "What are you doing for amateur radio?"
encouraging members to ensure a lasting legacy for amateur radio's future.

Also in attendance was Maxim Society Member Holly Roderick; Vice Director Mark
Tharp, KB7HDX; Western Washington Section Manager (SM) Monte Simpson, W7FF;
Eastern Washington SM Jo Whitney, KA7LJQ; Alaska SM David Stevens, KL7EB; Santa
Barbara SM John Kitchens, NS6X, and ARRL Director of Marketing and Innovation
Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R.

The convention kicked off on Friday with a series of all-day workshops. Two
sessions were held to build an end-fed half-wave antenna kit (available from
ARRL[3]).

See ARRL's photo album from SEA-PAC on Facebook[4].

SEA-PAC is sponsored by the Oregon Tualatin Valley Amateur Radio Club, and
co-sponsored by the Clark County Amateur Radio Club. The next SEA-PAC will be
held May 30 - June 2, 2024. Visit www.arrl.org/hamfests[5] to find a hamfest
near you.

[1] https://www.seapac.org/
[2] https://blogs.uoregon.edu/ducksontheair/
[3] http://www.arrl.org/end-fed-half-wave-antenna-kit
[4] https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.635363978625920
[5] http://www.arrl.org/hamfests

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