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From staff reports

New Braunfels — Some folks that usually operate behind the scenes are coming out into the open this weekend as the National Weather Service and Amateur Radio Relay League recognizes the amateur or “ham” radio operators that play an important role in weather information.

The event, “Skywarn Recognition Day,” will encompass the 24-hour period from 6 p.m. today to 6 p.m. Saturday and will be held at the NWS office in New Braunfels.

At the 98th annual Radio Club of America (RCA) banquet on November 16 in New York City, Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD; ARRL Roanoke Division Director Dennis Bodson, PhD, PE, W4PWF, and Jack Belrose, VE2CV, were toasted and feted throughout the night. Bodson received the Sarnoff Citation, given to recognize significant contributions to the advancement of electronic communications. Barry Goldwater, K7UGA (SK), was the first recipient of the Sarnoff Citation in 1973. Both Cronkite and Belrose received the Armstrong Medal, the RCA’s foremost achievement award and named for its first recipient, Major Edwin Armstrong. The keynote speech was given by Andy Rooney of television’s 60 Minutes.

By Eric Freeman This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

COLUMBUS -- Randy Hiltner became a licensed ham radio operator in 1990. His interest in the hobby was cultivated while listening to the radio at his father’s side.

Hiltner is far from alone in his interest in amateur radio. The Pawnee Amateur Radio Club has been active in the Columbus area since 1970 with an average membership of about 15 through the years.