Latest Happenings as of January 31, 2000

• With the successful creation of the The West Central Florida Section, the WCF Section Committee has been dissolved as of January 31, 2000 11:59 PM Eastern Time.  This web page will remain online as a historical document to the process and procedures which resulted in the creation of the 71st section of the ARRL.     This is the last update to the West Central Section Committee webpage.   

• The West Central Florida Section has begun operation as of January 15, 2000.

• The West Central Florida Section Web Page has gone online.   The address is http://www.wcfarrl.org. 

• The WCF Kickoff  was held at noon on Saturday November 20th at the Suncoast Amateur Radio and Computer Convention - The 1999 ARRL State of Florida Convention, in Tampa.  

• On the recommendation of the West Central Florida Section Committee, the ARRL has appointed Dave Armbrust, AE4MR of Sarasota as the first Section Manager of West Central Florida.  His term will run from January 15, 2000 through January 1, 2001.  
  
  Dave served as the WCF Committee Club Liaison.   He is a member of the Sarasota Emergency Radio Club, and has been active in the SERC amateur radio education program.  He is also a volunteer examiner.  
  
  You can reach Dave in email at [email protected] or by telephone  941-923-1688 (home.)
  
  • ARRL bulletin announcing the WCF Section Manager Appointment.  Also see the story in the ARRL Web Extra on the ARRL Member's Only Web Page.

• The Meeting on October 30th will be at the Ramada Inn just west of Exit 37 in Sarasota.  Talk-in is on 146.73 MHz repeater courtesy of the Sarasota Emergency Radio Club.  

• The ARRL Board of Directors have voted to authorize the creation of the West Central Florida Section.   Fourteen directors voted in the affirmative, with one abstaining.   The WCF Section will begin operation on January 15, 2000.   Please continue to visit this web page for information about activities that will lead up to the start of the WCF section.
  
  • ARRL W1AW Bulletin announcing the creation of the WCF Section.  Also see the story in the ARRL Web Extra on the ARRL Member's Only Web Page.
  • Press Release about the creation of the WCF Section.

  (Adobe Acrobat Reader Required to read press release)

• Come join the WCF Committee in celebrating the creation of the WCF Section at the 1999 Suncoast Amateur Radio and Computer Convention in Tampa on November 20 and 21.  Visit the Florida Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Council's web page for more information.

• See the article about WCF in the September 17, 1999 ARRL Letter.   You can also read about WCF on the ARRL Member's Only Web Page.

• The results of the referendum are in!   YES - 920  (91.5%)  NO - 86   (8.5%)
  County by county breakdown of the vote.  The ARRL Board of Directors still must approve of the creation of the West Central Florida Section    The exact timetable has yet to be determine.   
  
  • Press Release about the WCF Referendum Results
  • The Candidates Selection Committee will meet shortly to begin the process of recommending a Section Manager to the ARRL.

• The WCF Referendum voting period has come to an end.   Thanks to all who have supported the creation of the WCF section by your YES vote.  

• The ARRL Board of Directors has made the decision that an ARRL membership vote of the nine counties in the proposed nine county West Central Florida Section will take place.   All ARRL members in the nine counties will receive a ballot in the coming weeks asking if you support the creation of the West Central Florida Section.  All ballots needed to be received by ARRL HQ on September 15th.

  • Press release about the vote. 

  • Sample Ballot for the West Central Florida Section Referendum  

(Adobe Acrobat Reader Required to read press release and sample ballot)

• The WCF Section Committee ActionLine is now available.  The WCF ActionLine has the latest news on what is going on.   You can reach the WCF Action Line tollfree at 1-877-WCF-ARRL (1-877-923-2775) or from Pinellas County (area code 727) please dial 441-6552.  If you have a question you can leave a message and a member of the WCF Section Committee will return your call.

• Representatives of the West Central Florida Section Committee will be visiting several clubs and the Summer 99 TARCfest in Tampa.  List of the dates of club visits and more information on TARCfest.   

• The hit counter has been reset as of July 7th.

• Representatives of the West Central Florida Section Committee visited twelve field day sites in the nine counties.   The Committee sincerely thanks all the clubs and field day operators for such a warm and enthusiastic reception.  Pictures from each field day site have been added.    

• See July QST page 69 for a brief article on the West Central Florida Section Committee.

• The comments from Section Managers and Division Director have been received by ARRL Headquarters.  

• The ARRL has certified that the West Central Florida Section Proposal as valid. The Proposal has been sent to both Florida Section Managers and Frank Butler, the Southeastern Division Director for their comments which were e due back to ARRL Headquarters by May 31st.     

• The West Central Florida Section Committee has deleted Lee County from the West Central Florida Section Proposal.   Read the letter of amendment that has been sent to the ARRL.    

• See the article from the April 30, 1999 ARRL Letter about the West Central Florida Section Committee and Proposal.  It is also available on the April 29, 1999 ARRL Web Extra on the ARRL Members Only Webpage.