2016 Team

Additional Individual

George Nicholson N4GRN

George has been a team member on four DXpeditions to highly sensitive areas. George’s first DXpedition was to Peter I Antarctica where George handled fuel, food, waste, and communications as well as operated radio. After Peter I George was logistics and communications officer for Desecheo Island DXpedition and, once on the island, a Fish and Wildlife agent requested that George assume safety duties while on the island. The next project was The Orkney Islands Antarctica where once again George handled communications, logistics, and power generation and was acting safety officer. On Malpelo Island, another highly sensitive location off the coast of Colombia and a World Heritage site, George carried out the same duties as before. All of these DXpeditions were awarded DXpedition of the year. Due to health reasons George was unable to participate in the recent Amsterdam Island DXpedition which also was awarded DXpedition of the year. George handled all logistics for the project.

Geoff Howard W0CG

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.

Morgan Croucher KD8ZLK

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.

Ruth Willet KM4LAO

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.

Faith Hannah Lea AE4FH

Faith Hannah Lea (AE4FH) is an 11 year old Extra Class Amateur Radio operator. She was first licensed as KM4IBV on February 19, 2015. She quickly upgraded to General and Extra in February and April 2015.

I am homeschooled and am in many different grades. Probably the average grade for me is 7-8th. My parents used Ham Radio as part of our homeschool, and at first, I thought “oh no, all that studying!” But I found out that I really like it!

I have talked at the Dayton Hamfest Youth Forum with my brother about antennas. My call, AE4FH, means Amateur Extra For Faith Hannah. It came in the database in the middle of the night the day that my brother and I were speaking.

I like to work contests and enjoy working DX. I have worked many contests, and to name a few there are the CQWWSSB contest, November sweepstakes, Field Day, and ARRL DX Contest. I have worked HZ1HZ, one of two female operators in Saudi Arabia, and I was the second YL she worked that day. I think she is also in royalty.

When I spoke with Jeff (PJ6/NM1Y) on the radio, there was a HUGE pileup trying to work him after we were done talking. I hope that I get huge pileups and that I can get DXCC from PJ6 when I am down there!

One thing that is cool is that the house where we will be in Saba is that it is our old house, but I don’t remember it because I was only two years old when we lived there. I know that it is a 5 square mile island in the Caribbean. I am excited about going to Saba.

Without the support of these great sponsors this trip would not have been possible for most, if not all of our youth team members. By their support these youth operators are going to get to have the ham radio experience of a lifetime, and have one great “what did you do this summer” story when they go back to school in the fall.

These organizations helped support this event with financial support.

Removed per request

Chester Howes K8NYC
Ron Moorefield W8ILC

Jim Storms AB8YK
Neil Gilchrist
David Bruse W4DTR
Ed Collins N8NUY