It is with great pleasure that I was privileged to present the 2023 Warren Bruene Award to Josh Barfield N4NZ at the annual Richardson Wireless Klub President’s Dinner.
Josh has been a tremendous asset to the club in his few years of membership. He is a master of being a patient and thorough teacher and always ready to help another ham figure out the more technical or software-related things related to the hobby.
He’s passionate about radio and especially on how to use software and computers to make radio easier or better, often learning a new mode or piece of software, and then demonstrating that to other members to get them excited about it.
Josh stepped in to become the RWK Secretary after the unexpected resignation of a previous officer, and he has carried his careful and methodical approach to that job, often making sure that we do things the right way and nothing is left out. He’s always quick to provide suggestions to problems or the best way of doing things, and they are always appropriate and welcomed. He has done a bunch to reduce my workload at the RWK General Meetings and has assumed responsibility for the door prizes and drawings.
One of his best contributions so far has been the “shiny object” – a conversation starter for the Social Hour before the monthly General Meeting. This shiny object is a way to get hams (especially new ones) familiar with certain objects or aspects of ham radio through looking at or using a physical object. This started with bringing a unique antenna (log periodic) to a meeting and has grown into having an operating radio station at most of the RWK meetings, showing a specific mode, antenna, or technique. These displays truly serve as the conversation starters that we intended!
The best contribution that Josh brings to everything he does is his attitude. He’s always willing to help, always has valuable suggestions, and is always positive in his contributions. We should all do as well to make the RWK and Ham Radio better! — KD4C
– – – – –
Previous winners of the RWK Warren Bruene Award are Carl Soloman W5SU, Doug Kilgore KD5OUG, Grant Loughlin W5XJ, Danny Siminiuk K5CG, Bill Owens AD5EW, Hal Wolff N5BT (SK), Andrew Koenig KE5GDB, Michael Masterson WT9V, and Chip Coker KD4C.
Oh, and who is Warren Bruene you ask? All will be answered on our Warren Bruene tribute page: Warren Bruene & The Warren Bruene Award
