1) TECHNICAL EXPERTISE APPLIED IN A HIGH-STAKES ENVIRONMENT

Periodically, technical and political challenges to Amateur Radio arise. These have included Broadband Over Powerlines (BPL), solar charging systems, wireless electric-vehicle charging systems, high-frequency stock trading schemes, satellite system frequency permission requests, and others. Directors are continually involved in creating new strategies to protect us using all of their technical, legal, and political savvy. Dick Norton has provided needed technical depth to the Board. An electrical engineer with an advanced degree, Dick tackled complex technical issues and successfully integrated large electronic systems within a dynamic environment of technology and politics.

2) BUSINESS AND FINANCE EXPERIENCE

The ARRL is a $13 million-per-year business governed by its Directors. Dick Norton understands first-hand the fiduciary responsibilities of running a business.  Dick ran a successful and profitable business for 25 years, and still maintains a sole-proprietor’s eye toward expense reduction. He’s familiar with the corporate boardroom, having also served on the board of a defense contractor for 15 years.

3) CORPORATE MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE

With a staff of over 80 employees, it is important for the League to organize and manage efficiently to provide the ARRL members with value for their dues. As a former manager in a large aerospace company, Dick has real-world management experience to apply to the League.

4) ARRL FIELD ORGANIZATION AND VOLUNTEER EXAMINER PARTICIPATION

A League member since 1955-1956, and an ARRL Charter Life Member, Dick both understands and has participated in the ARRL field activities for many years. He is an ARRL Volunteer Examiner in the ARRL VEC program. Dick has served as an Assistant Section Communications Manager and was an Official Relay Station for many years.

5) PUBLIC SERVICE OPERATION

Dick Norton currently supports his local VHF-based Community Emergency Response Program, organized to assist with communications in local disasters. Dick supported the ARRL’s National Traffic System for many years. As W6DGH, he was a weekly net-control station on the Southern California Net for over 10 years. He also earned an ARRL Public Service Award for earthquake-related service.

6) AMATEUR RADIO CLUB PARTICIPATION AND DIRECTION

Dick is currently president of the Southern California Contest Club. He has served as president of the Southern California DX Club, and was named DXer of the year in 1972. He has been a member of the Northrop Radio Club and Palisades Amateur Radio Club, and also a member and officer of eastern clubs before moving to California in 1963.

7) AMATEUR RADIO CONVENTION PARTICIPATION AND MANAGEMENT

As Director, Dick Norton represents the League’s interests in the yearly Southwestern Division Convention and at Hamfests. He has been involved in the both the planning aspect and an active presenter. Dick Norton’s familiarity with convention operations is thorough. He has been the organizer and chairman, as well as master of ceremonies, of the Visalia International DX Convention and is a frequent speaker at the Visalia Conventions and the Dayton Hamventions. He originated the ARRL Division Convention financial assistance program which delivered funds to restart the Yuma Hamfest, our current Division Convention.

8) COMPETITIVE ON-AIR OPERATION

As a member of the CQ Contesting Hall of Fame, Dick Norton is recognized as one of the world’s top operators. Included in his many contesting achievements is the fact that he has been number one in the world in the CQ Worldwide DX Contest, the world series of radio contesting, more times than anyone else. His competitive performance is another indicator that when Dick undertakes something, it gets done well.

9) INTERNATIONAL RADIO KNOWLEDGE

Since radio waves cross political boundaries, amateur radio has the potential to generate international understanding and good will. Many DXers strive to contact stations in the world’s 40 zones. Dick Norton has actually operated the CQ World Wide DX Contest from each of the 40 zones, an odyssey that has resulted in understanding of amateur radio worldwide. He has been a judge or participant in all of the World Radio Team Competitions. He understands that Amateur Radio issues may originate in, or impact, any country in the world. Dick’s ties with influential amateurs worldwide benefit both domestic and international amateur radio.

10) POLICY FORMULATION

Formulation of policy, together with production of clear and convincing justification of that policy, is critical to convincing a 15-member board to accept and implement the ideas. Dick Norton has had substantial progress in his League initiatives, including those involving relations with the Winlink community and integrating other digital systems into Amateur Radio. While supporting  cost-effective approaches to fighting the BPL threat at the national level, he has spearheaded Amateur Radio's technical interface to BPL activities in the Division. He has also had success with a program to offload work from paid ARRL staff to volunteers, thereby reducing the drain on League resources.

11) HISTORY OF INNOVATION

Directors must focus the League’s assets in creative directions that benefit the membership. Dick Norton’s ideas have definitely changed the nature of radio contests worldwide: they are now computer-adjudicated events. His ideas were also influential in changing the ARRL’s policies to the farming out contest log checking rather than paying in-house employees to do the work, providing cost-savings to the membership.

12) EQUIPMENT AND STATION CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE EXPERIENCE

In the tradition of the novice-class license with which he started, Dick has constructed transmitters, receivers, and other equipment. The experience led to part-time work as a service technician in his younger days and still allows him to service most of his equipment. Maintaining a reasonably large station today, with an antenna 120 feet up a tower, gives Dick real-world experience dealing with both neighbors and interference from poorly maintained power lines.

13) NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION

Dick Norton has a national and international reputation for doing things well, treating people fairly, and operating ethically and honestly. As a volunteer lecturer at Dayton’s 2007 Contest University, he authored and presented the section on log-checking, accuracy, and ethics. He has been an effective Director, able to pilot his concepts through the ARRL Board to fruition.

14) RETIRED AND AVAILABLE

Today, the ARRL Director’s job requires commitment. Being retired, Dick dedicates considerable time and effort to League affairs as your ARRL Director. His dedication and accomplishments stand behind that of no one on the Board. The Director position alone typically takes up between 1000 and 2000 hours of effort per year.

15) AMATEUR LICENSES

First licensed in 1955 as KN2PHF. Formerly K2PHF, W6DGH, and AFA2PHF (MARS). Operated using many overseas calls such as 9Y4XX and 9Y4VT. A-1 Operator’s Club, CP-45.