[amsat-bb] WA8SME wins YASME Excellence Award

[John Papay]

Mark Spencer, WA8SME, has just received the Excellence Award
from the YASME Foundation (yasme.org).  The following is an excerpt from
the OPDX Bulletin 1090, December 10th, 2012:

    "The Yasme Excellence Award is awarded to individuals who through their
own service, creativity, effort and dedication have made a significant
contribution to amateur radio.  The contribution may be in recognition of
technical, operating or organizational achievement, as all three are
necessary for amateur radio to grow and prosper.  The Yasme Excellence
Award is in the form of a cash grant and an individually-engraved crystal
globe.

     The Board of Directors of The Yasme Foundation is pleased to announce
the award of the Yasme Excellence Award to the following individuals:

  - Mark Spencer, WA8SME, for his instrumental work in the ARRL Teachers
    Institute and other training efforts, development of PIC microcontroller
    projects and books for amateurs, and work with leaders in student and
    scientific teams applying amateur radio to scientific projects and
    experiments."

Mark has been instrumental in working with the Teachers Institute,
introducing teachers to Amateur Radio Satellites.  This has led
to students getting involved in our part of amateur radio and the
creation of school amateur radio clubs.  Many of you have made contacts
with these club stations and know how excited students are to be able
to make contacts through amateur radio satellites.

Mark's most recent contribution is the FT817 computer interface which
allows this HF simplex radio to be used with linear satellites.  If
you own an FT817, you'll want to check it out.  See the October 2012
issue of QST for details.  Mark Hammond, N8MH, had these kits for
sale at the AMSAT Symposium.  Hector, CO6CBF, took one back to Cuba and
is building it for use with his newly acquired FT817.

Congratulations to Mark Spencer WA8SME, recipient of the YASME Foundation
Excellence Award!

73,
John K8YSE