Three Des Moines-area amateur radio operators were honored at this year’s DMRAA Christmas party. George Noble, KK7FM, was awarded the Winthrop Mager Award, while Russ (W0DAY) and Dale (N0INX) were also honored. All three hams have showed exceptional service to fellow hams and their communities.

Noble was presented the award by Wynell Mager-Kisner, the daughter of the late Rev. Winthrop Mager, whom the award is named after. Noble was nominated and then selected by the nomination committee for his outstanding leadership in community and youth education of amateur radio, his participation in Field Day, SKYWARN Recognition Day, Jamboree on the Air, and other educational and volunteer activities. He currently serves on the DMRAA board as the program director.

Russ and Dale Day were also awarded for their contributions to the amateur radio community. The 146.61, 443.4, Grimes APRS I-Gate, and the entire KD0IAN D-STAR system are located in facilities owned by the Day brothers at no cost to the community. The Day brothers were recognized by the DMRAA board and Russ was presented the award by DMRAA President Tom Reis at the dinner.

The purpose of the Winthrop Mager Award is to perpetuate the memory of the Rev. Winthrop M. Mager WØMJH, and to stimulate the activity in all fields of amateur radio in the central Iowa area. Any radio operator with any class license who is a member of the Des Moines Radio Amateur Association is eligible. Mager would have been 101 this year. The award was presented by daughter Wynell Mager-Kisner, who found out that the award was in existence through a recent web posting on the DMRAA website. Mager-Kisner spoke about her father’s love of amateur radio, education, and his passion to enhance the community through innovation.

At the dinner, the group was entertained by the Plymouth Congregational Church handbell choir, who performed several holiday-themed tunes. About 50 people attended the potluck-style event, including XYL’s and other family members.