04/07/2016
Author Don Keith, N4KC, and TV reporter and anchor Jackie Lukas are the
recipients of the 2015 ARRL Bill Leonard, W2SKE, Award[1]. Keith was recognized
for an article on Amateur Radio, "Wave of Popularity[2]," that he contributed
to American Legion magazine. A reporter and anchor for News 12 Long Island in
New York, Lukas was honored for reporting the Great South Bay Amateur Radio
Club's activation of a lighthouse "in an uplifting and positive manner." The
ARRL Board of Directors named Keith and Lukas in January to receive the award.
The ARRL Bill Leonard Award honors up to three professional journalists each
year for outstanding coverage highlighting the enjoyment, importance, and
public service value the Amateur Radio Service has to offer. The award is a
tribute to the late CBS News President Bill Leonard, W2SKE, an avid Amateur
Radio operator and advocate. Each recipient will receive an engraved plaque,
and a $250 contribution will be made in each of their names to the charity of
their choice.
"I look forward to receiving the plaque and am very humbled by the award,"
Keith reacted. He expects to attend a formal presentation at the Huntsville
Hamfest in August. Keith said the American Legion's national Amateur Radio club
(K9TAL) is working to reach members who might be interested in Amateur Radio
and "especially its public service aspects." Keith has designated the Amateur
Radio Advancement Group[3], which is affiliated with the Birmingham Amateur
Radio Club, to be the beneficiary of his award. Keith is the author or
co-author of more than 30 books.
Lukas responded, "Thank you so much! It's such an honor. I'm glad you enjoyed
my story just as much as I enjoyed covering it!" Lukas received the Leonard
Award plaque at the March meeting of the Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club.
She is a reporter and anchor for News 12 Long Island in New York.
ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, praised the efforts
of media professionals who report on Amateur Radio activities. "We owe a lot to
the journalists who highlight Amateur Radio's capabilities to our communities
and our country," he said. "When Amateur Radio provides communication for a
natural disaster or school contact with astronauts on the International Space
Station, and the media covers that service, more and more people become aware
just how much of a resource we are. The ARRL Leonard Award is our way of
saying, 'Thank you for telling our story.'"
[1] http://www.arrl.org/bill-leonard-award
[2] http://www.legion.org/magazine/226238/wave-popularity
[3] http://www.aragroup.org/
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