Get to know me!
Get to know me!
Thank you for taking the time to stop by and learn a bit about Mark Tharp, KB7HDX
I’ve proudly served as the ARRL elected Northwestern Division Vice-Director since 2019, and as the ARRL Northwestern Division Director since January 2024. I was also elected by the Board to serve as a Director on the ARRL Foundation’s Board, and I was selected to serve on the scholarship and club grant committees. My efforts have supported loyal members, new hams and youth, and our radio clubs. This work is very rewarding, and I have made valuable contributions on the Board and committees I’ve served on.
Supporting ARRL is extremely important. As your Director, I work hard to ensure ARRL is the strongest advocate for promoting amateur radio and preserving our spectrum.
The ARRL Board has had to make some hard decisions in the last few years some may disagree with; however, we have also made much progress to advance the hobby including, implementing a discounted student membership for those under the age of 26, creating a free associate membership for students under the age of 21, creating the Emergency Management and Field Services Committee along with its sub-committees that focus on Clubs, ARES, and NTS. We are also working on filings to protect the 900MHz band and non-stop work continues on legislation to assist those with restrictive CCRs.
I’ve been fortunate to meet so many of you here in the Northwest by attending countless conventions, hamfests, and club meetings. Having served in various appointed and elected ARRL positions, I know how important it is to speak with members and non-members alike. I listen to what they are saying, engage them in dialogue, and work with them to help solve issues. I’ve met and made friends with amateurs from all across our Division in just about every aspect of Ham Radio.
Most importantly, these friendships keep your interests and concerns in front of me: what drives your participation in amateur radio; what is important to you; and how ARRL can help.
Committee activity during my time as Director and Vice-Director:
(PSEWG) Public Service Enhancement Working Group
(ARISS) Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (current Chair)
(ARLDA) Amateur Radio Legal Defense & Assistance
(ECFSC) Emergency Communications and Field Services Committee (current member)
Emergency Communications Director search committee
ARRL Foundation Scholarship committee in 2022 and 2023 and 2024
ARRL Executive Committee as an active board member observer
Investment Management Committee as an active board member observer
(A&F) Administration & Finance as an active board member observer
ARRL Foundation Club Grant Committee 2024
ARRL Involvement:
Life Member of the ARRL
Member of the ARRL Diamond Club
Member of the ARRL Maxim Society.
Amateur Radio clubs and groups:
Yakima County Radio Amateurs (founding Member and President)
Eastern Washington Amateur Radio Group (Member)
Western Washington DX Club (Member)
Pacific NW VHF Society (Charter Member)
AMSAT, (Life Member)
SDXA Spokane DX Association (Member)
ORCA DX and Contest Club (Member)
QCWA (Life Member)
Prior ARRL Field Service and Division appointments:
AEC, EC, OO, OOC, OES, and fifteen years as Section Manager for the Eastern Washington Section.
Assistant Director under Director Mary Lou Brown NM7N (SK) and Director Greg Milnes W7OZ (SK).
Current Volunteer Examiner and Registered Instructor.
OPERATING AWARDS:
DXCC Mixed, (233) - DXCC Phone, (214) - DXCC Digital, (129) - DXCC-10 (135)
DXCC-15, (151) - DXCC-20, (196) - DXCC- Challenge 653.
Not awarded bands - 80 meters (18) 40 meters (37) 30 meters (32) 17 meters (46) 12 meters (38)
I currently have 99 entities confirmed on CW
5BWAS #3829 WAS-SSB #57,999, WAS-RTTY #1234 and WAS-DIGITAL #3359 with an FT8 endorsement WAS-CW #3204 And WAS Triple Play #2633
Not awarded WAS totals – 30 meters (45) 12 meters (47) 6 meters (9) (no antenna on 160 :( )
I have 39 confirmed CQ Zones, still missing zone 34 (NE Africa)
I have operated as W1AW/7 (three times) and NU1AW/7 from my home station and have guest operated at W1AW, WX7P (SK), W7DX, WA7LT (SK), and K7SDX.
Other activities:
I have been a avid snowmobile rider since 2003. I volunteer on the Yakima County Grooming Council and have served as chairman since 2016. I am a member of the State association (WSSA) as well as the local club, The Yakima Ski-Benders.
Jeeping is another activity I enjoy. Getting out in the hills and seeing nature is relaxing. I have a 2006 Wrangler with modest aftermarket equipment.
Thank you for taking the time to learn a bit about me.
I would like to thank those who supported me in 2024 for the Director position.
In no particular order:
Gregory B. Acedo KE7FMK
C Wayne Schuler AI9Q
Dave Ingebright WB7ELY
Eric Olson N7EPD
Bob Harlan AK7S
Tyson Brooks W7BL
Dale Justice K7WW
Steve Berman N6HK
Joe Somday KF7PBM
Mel Ming N7GCO
Steve Sala K7WAB
Del Morissette WA7AQH
Gary Bytnar AD7XG
David Oglesby N7LL
Brian Moran N9ADG
Dick Swanson K7BTW
Gary Swartout K7GS
Robin Amundson WA7CPA
Mike DInkelman N7WA
Brian Nielsen W7BJN
"Dr. Mike" Dunlap K7MYU
Lynn Burlingame N7CFO
Mike Buettner K7STO
Jack Prendergast N7JP
Randy Foltz K7TQ
Adam Blackmer K7EDX
Dave Cole NK7Z
Peter Stuart K0NB
Jeff Banke NZ2S
Mitch Mason K7RL
Jo Whitney KA7LJQ
Al Rovner K7AR
Jim Cassidy KI7Y
Rick Smith KT7G
Clay Jackson N7QNM
Dave Cherba WZ8T
Craig Cook N7OR
Jim Pace K7CEX
Russ Mickiewicz N7QR
Robert Thompson W7CO
Rob Fanfant N7QT
Stu Seibel K0QKM
Delvin Bunton NS7U
Rob Gregory KD7H
Tom Summers WU8T
Scott Rosenfeld N7JI
Bernd Peters KB7AK
Gerald Wilson K7VIT
Kevin Bier K7VI
Ron Short KK7GO
Caroline Brandt AD7UP
Steve Brandt N7VS
Chris Rutkowski NW6V
Mike Judy W7CCY
Andy Thompson W7CXA
Dick Swanson K7BTW
Ken Rau K7YR
Noelle Holland WA7NCH
David Holland WA6DH
Jeff Spinler N7VPN
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