WCF SECTION PRESS RELEASE #25-01
THE ARRL WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA SECTION CELEBRATES ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY
On Wednesday January 15, 2025, the ARRL West Central Florida Section will have its 25th Anniversary of its inception. The ARRL West Central Florida Section began operation on January 15, 2000.
In January 1999, the “West Central Florida Section Committee” was formed to foster the creation of the ARRL West Central Florida Section. After many months of work, which included a petition that garned over 300 signatures, the ARRL Board of Directors authorized a special ballot to the members of nine counties in what was then the ARRL Southern Florida Section: Charlotte, Desoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Polk, and Pinellas Counties. The results of the special ballot was 92 percent in favor to create the new Section. The ARRL Board of Directors approved the creation of the ARRL in October 1999. The original section did not include Pasco County. ARRL members in Pasco County, following a similar procedure as was used in the creation of the Section, voted in favor of joining the new West Central Florida Section and became part of the Section in March 2000. The West Central Florida Section Committee website has been archived as a historical document and can be viewed at https://qsl.net/wcfla.
An anniversary reception is being planned in December at the Tampa Bay Hamfest and a special operating event is in the planning as well to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ARRL West Central Florida Section. There will be more details on these events as they are finalized.