For local ham radio enthusiast Richard Breininger, being elected as the American Radio Relay League section manager is a new and exciting adventure.
Breininger, also known as call sign N1TEK, started the two-year team on April 1 and is already making plans on what he would like to accomplish.
“I was elected in the Spring,” Breininger said. “Nobody opposed me though so it was an easy election.”
Even though Breininger was unopposed, he still had to receive at least five nominations from members of the ARRL. If more than one person would have been nominated, then members of the ARRL would have needed to vote on which person they would have wanted to represent them for the next two years.
Breininger said the biggest change with the new title is he is now the ARRL representative for Wyoming. He has already set one of his goals, which is recruiting new members and trying to develop new clubs.
For example: the Jackson area has more than 100 ham operators, but they don’t have an official club. For Breininger, this is an opportunity for him to start one up in that area. There is already an interest, it’s just getting one set up.
“I’m really looking forward to that,” Breininger said. “I want to showcase ham radio and get people involved.”
Breininger isn’t new to the club scene. He’s been involved with the Sweetwater County Amateur Radio Club for years and is currently the president of that organization.
This may be why another area Breininger would like to place some of his focus is in the recruitment of younger members to the ham radio hobby. The average ham radio operator is a 68-year-old white male.
“We need to change the demographic,” he said.
Another duty Breininger is already in the process of completing is appointing assistant managers. These assistant managers are located throughout the state and these volunteers help Breininger spread information and look from new recruits.
This new position is a volunteer position and Breininger doesn’t receive any compensation other than milage and a small budget for prizes.
For someone who considers himself a newcomer to the ham radio hobby because he only joined the group in 2007, Breininger is excited to learn from the person he is replacing who has been a ham radio operator for 46 years.
“I’m a relative new bee compared to other people,” he said.
However, he’s ready to fulfill his new position.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
He’s already been in contact with headquarters in Connecticut to share some of his ideas.
“I love ham radio. It’s a blast,” he said. “It’s a great hobby and I love contacting people and working with people.”
Those who are interested in jointing a ham radio group can contact Breininger at 307-707-4010.
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