Candidate for Director
Ken Simpson was first licensed as WN8ETX in 1962, and soon became WA8ETX. A couple years later he passed his extra class license and became W8EK.

Ken has been President of Ocala, Florida, Chapter 62 of QCWA, and a member of several other chapters. He is President of the Friendship Amateur Radio Club in Ocala. He retired to Ocala about twenty years ago. While in Ohio, he served as ARRL Assistant Director, Assistant SCM, and other leadership positions. He holds several hundred ham operating awards, plus an award from the Ohio House of Representatives for his work on the Eye Emergency Network, where he served as a Net Control Station for many years.

Ken received his Bachelor's degree from Mount Union College in Alliance, OH, and his Master's from the University of Akron (Ohio). He is retired from teaching Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology at Stark State College of Technology in Canton, Ohio.

Ken is a very active life member of QCWA. He is presently on the Board of Directors and has been the volunteer Executive Administrator for the organization.

He was awarded the "President's Award" as recognition for the work he did in organizing information about the QCWA Chapters in Florida, and has "flown the QCWA Banner" at many hamfests all over the country, from Anchorage, Alaska, to Fort Myers, Florida, and many points in between. Ken typically attends about 25 hamfests, 25 chapter meetings, and presents about a dozen forums each year.

One of the most important things that a person representing QCWA on a national level can do is to let the local chapters know that the people at national really care about them. The best way to do this is to talk with QCWA members, and prospective members, at hamfests, and at chapter meetings. Ken has visited almost every chapter in the Southeastern US. At these meetings members can express any concerns that they have, and provide input to QCWA headquarters and officers.

As amateur radio operators, we should be communicators, but many times this communications link is not as good as desired. Ken would like to improve this communications.

If you have questions or comments, you can contact him by e-mail or by phone.