Barry and Mary Whittemore (NF1O / NE1F)

How long have you been a Ham?

Barry has been a ham radio operator for 47 years, and Mary has been one for 31 years.

What mode(s) within Amateur Radio do you enjoy operating?

Both can use CW, SSB, RTTY, and FT8 modes, which they enjoy.

Describe your involvement with GSARA.

Mary and Barry were dedicated board members, each with their distinct roles. Mary was responsible for overseeing the membership, ensuring that the organization's members were well taken care of. Barry, on the other hand, served as the Treasurer, meticulously managing the organization's finances.

After relocating to Unity, NH, they remained committed to the VE team, albeit with reduced involvement due to the move. Despite the distance, they have made it a priority to maintain their connections with fellow members, often participating in meetings and events through Zoom or making the effort to attend in person when possible. Their dedication and ongoing presence have been invaluable to the organization, leaving a lasting impact on the team and its members.

What is one piece of advice you would give a new Ham?

As a ham radio enthusiast, there are numerous ways to find enjoyment. Our passion lies in HF DX chasing on all bands and modes. There are 340 DX entities, and we strive to contact them all. Additionally, we enjoy VHF/UHF contesting, satellites, moon bounce, and engaging in activities like building things, POTA, SOTA, and more. Explore your interests and give them a try!

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Mary and Barry have both achieved the prestigious 9 Band Worked All States (WAS), 9 Band DXCC (DX Century Club), and 9 Band Worked All Continents awards in amateur radio. In addition to these remarkable achievements, they have also excelled in CW (Morse code), RTTY (Radio Teletype, now Digital), and SSB (Single Side Band), and have received numerous other accolades and recognitions within the amateur radio community.