The 2017 Hamvention® Awards Committee, chaired by Frank J. Beafore, WS8B, has announced that nominations are open for 2017 awards, sometimes considered the Academy Awards of Amateur Radio. The program will bestow awards for Amateur of the Year, Technical Achievement, Special Achievement, and Club of the Year.

“The Hamvention Awards event has been held since 1955,” a Hamvention news release said. “Over these years, many amateurs have been honored for their dedication and selfless contributions to our avocation and to mankind.” Nominees are invited for these awards.

Technical Achievement Award: Given to a selected Amateur Radio operator who has achieved technical excellence within the realm of Amateur Radio. Examples are inventions, processes, discoveries, experiments, other technical accomplishments, or any other outstanding technical achievement that contributed to Amateur Radio.

Special Achievement Award: Presented to a deserving radio amateur who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the radio art and/or science. This award is usually given to a respected amateur who has spearheaded a single significant project.

Amateur of the Year Award: Honors a radio amateur who has made a long-term commitment to the advancement of Amateur Radio. This individual will have a history of contribution to ham radio and will be dedicated to service, professionalism, and the advancement of Amateur Radio avocation.

Club of the Year: Recognizes a club that clearly demonstrates its involvement in varied aspects of Amateur Radio for the greater good of their community and/or the nation.

Below are links to forms dedicated to the appropriate award nomination. At a minimum, each form should be completed with the information indicated. Please make sure that the nominating person is identified with a method to reach them in the case of questions from the nomination committee.

There are separate nomination forms for individual awards and for the club award. Submit forms via e-mail to awards@hamvention.org or via USPS to Hamvention Awards Committee, Box 964, Dayton, OH 45401-0964.

The nomination period closes on February 1, 2017. Once the committee selects the award recipients, the winners will be announced. Winners names will be posted, with details on their accomplishments, in the Hamvention program and on the website. An honors convocation will be held on Saturday evening of Hamvention weekend, and awards will be presented on Sunday afternoon.

Contact the Hamvention Awards Committee for additional information.