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: (Confirming contact with radio amateurs in other countries)
DXCC Mixed, (233) - DXCC Phone, (214) - DXCC Digital, (129) - DXCC-CW (100)
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)
WAS: (confirming contact with radio amateurs in all fifty states)
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.
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