WCF SECTION PRESS RELEASE #25-41
MIKE LUNSFORD KB4FHP IS THE 2025 ELLEN WHITE W1YL AWARD RECIPIENT
On Saturday December 14, 2025, at the Tampa Bay Hamfest, during the ARRL forum, Jimmy Russ AB4KA, Section Manager, announced that the winner of the 2025 Ellen White W1YL Award was Mike Lunsford KB4FHP. Lunsford is serving as an Assistant Section Manager – Public Service Liaison since December 13, 2022, and is serving as the President of the Lake Wales Radio Amateurs (https://lwra.us) since January 2022.
Lunsford was first licensed at KN4ITQ in 2018, but had a long time interest in Amateur Radio working with several organizations, including CERT and ARES, in his professional career before retirement. After retirement, Lunsford’s wife encouraged him to get a hobby and amateur radio was the obvious choice. After getting his Technician class ticket Lunsford became quickly involved in the amateur radio community and became a member of the Lake Wales Radio Amateurs, Lakeland Amateur Radio Club, Polk County ARES, and a member of the ARRL. In 2019, Lunsford obtained the vanity callsign of KB4FHP, inspired by his time a as a volunteer with the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary, upon upgrading to General class. Lunsford currently serves as an ARRL Technical Specialist for digital voice modes.
Lunsford in his professional career was employed by Polk County Fire Rescue for 40 years and retired as a Battalion Chief over Special Operations, which included Office of Professional Standards, specialized response units, special events, and law enforcement liaison. Lunsford also dealt with the Public Information Office section from Polk County Fire Resuce and other agencies on a daily basis. Lunsford was the 451st person to hold a paramedic license in the State of Florida, and has maintained his license even in retirement. Lunsford also volunteered for 35 years as a Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary State Trooper and retired with the rank of Major. Lunsford also owns a part time business, since 1981, doing electronics and two-way radio installations in law enforcement, fire, and EMS vehicles.
Lunsford’s other interests are participation as a coach for Special Olympics, as his son is an athlete, for Bocce, Golf, Bowling, and being active at his church, First Baptist Church in Lake Wales, as a ministry volunteer.
The ARRL West Central Florida Section congratulates Mike Lunsford KB4FHP on being named the 2025 Ellen White W1YL Award recipient. The 2025 Ellen White W1YL Award was presented to Lunsford, at the ARRL forum during the Tampa Bay Hamfest on Saturday December 14, 2025. As in the past several years, The West Central Florida Group, the owners and operators of the NI4CE Repeater System, have sponsored a one year ARRL membership for Lunsford.
The Ellen White W1YL Award was established in 2016 in memory of Ellen White W1YL, who recently became a Silent Key in November of 2022. The Ellen White W1YL Award is to name the amateur radio operator who has made the greatest contribution to amateur radio in the ARRL West Central Florida Section.
For all the details and history of the Ellen White W1YL Award you may go to http://arrlwcf.org/wcf-special-events/white-award/.