This months Spotlight Ham focus is Rod Blocksome K0DAS
 

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This month's ham spotlight is on our very own Rod Blocksome. K0DAS

I have been an active amateur for 57 years having been first licensed in
1960 as KN0DAS in Ransom, Kansas - on a wheat & livestock farm in
western Kansas. My early interest in radio and electronics led to my
obtaining BSEE and MSEE degrees from Kansas State University. I am much
indebted to my early "Elmers" who helped me on this path: "Baldy"
Balderson, W0CKV, Hal Dobbs, K5RTH/W0BXU, and Fred Bauer, W0EFT.

I served 4 years as a Communications Electronics Officer in the USAF
during the Viet Nam Era. I had a wonderful career with Collins Radio
(later Rockwell Collins) in design engineering, engineering management,
and communications systems engineering. In 2002 I was honored as a
corporate engineer-of-the-year and later retired in 2010 with 42 years
of service.

Since retirement I've been very active in many volunteer service
projects - the most interesting one being a research analyst in the
search for Amelia Earhart's Airplane lost at sea near Howland Island in
1937. I've participated in three deep ocean sonar searches in 2002,
2006, and 2017 - and the work continues.

In my career I have either visited or worked in over 50 DX entities.
You may find me in your log as KN0DAS, K0DAS, K0DAS/5, K0DAS/KH6,
VK2IHY, K0DAS/KH2, T30CXX, T32CXX, T32DAS, K0DAS/V73, and K0DAS/MM3. I
hold an Extra Class License and am a life member of ARRL.

My major amateur radio activities include:



Weak Signal CW/SSB/Digital on the bands 50 MHz thru 2304 MHz including
EME on 50, 144, and 432 MHz and contesting as a "Rover" Station.
HF DXing and Contesting from home and club station N0MA - the Radio
Farm
Equipment and Antenna Design - both professionally and for amateur radio
(see ARRL 1995 Radio Amateur Handbook for my 50 Watt Solid State HF PA)
Restoration of Classic Equipment - I was part of the team that
restored the WWII radio operators position on "FIFI" the flying B-29 in
the CAF.
"Elmering" new hams with technical assistance - I assist a friend
who hosts regular "builder sessions", CW classes, and "Elmering"
sessions.
Upon retirement in 2010, I was presented with an opportunity to give
back to the amateur radio hobby that has meant so much to my career when
I was appointed vice-director of the ARRL Midwest Division. I served in
that position until elected director for the 2015-2017 term.

My experience since joining the ARRL board in 2010 includes serving on
the following committees:

Programs & Services Committee - current chairman
ARRL Historical Committee - current chairman
VHF/UHF Revitalization committee
Trademark committee
Contest Advisory Committee Liaison to the PSC
ARRL National Broadband Plan committee
Ethics & Elections committee
Administration & Finance committee
For the past seven years it has been my privilege to serve first as
Midwest vice-director and then director. I am available and always
willing to listen to member inputs, comments, complaints, and proposed
solutions to the complex issues facing ARRL and amateur radio.

If re-elected, I will continue to represent the ARRL members of the
Midwest Division in the governance of ARRL to the best of my ability and
with the highest ethical standards.

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ARRL Nebraska Section
Section Manager: Mr Matthew N Anderson, KA0BOJ

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