2026-2027 Officers
2026-2027 Officers and District Representatives
President
Diane Ortiz, K2DO
Email: president@ylrl.org
Diane Ortiz was first licensed in 1972 and is a life member of ARRL and QCWA, but her proudest accomplishment is being Vice President of YLRL the past two years. “The opportunity to meet YLRL members and to work with the current YLRL officers, staff and appointees has been amazing. As president, I hope to expand YLRL and continue to bring our organization forward.” Diane’s leadership skills include being past president of the Long Island Mobile Amateur Radio Club and the Order of Boiled Owls of New York and is currently also a member of the Superstition ARC in Mesa, AZ. She was also Flotilla Commander of her unit of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, where she is still an officer. She wrote the YL News Column for ARRL’s QST magazine for 10 years and the YL Contesting Column in CQ Contest Magazine. Diane has been part of many DXpeditions and multi-op contest stations and her favorites include operating from the Azores, Grenada and the Turks & Caicos Islands. She is also a founding member, and committee chairperson, of Ham Radio University, a day of education for hams (www.HamRadioUniversity.org), now celebrating its 27th event Jan 8, 2026. Diane is an ARRL VE, past Hudson Division Assistant Director and has won many awards from the ARRL, including the Philip J. McGan Memorial Silver Antenna Award for public relations. She continues to enjoy contesting, POTA, attending WRTC events and on-air operating and travel with her OM George Tranos, N2GA. Diane founded the Big Apple Motorcycle School on Long Island, New York, where she teaches people how to ride and improve their skills. “I’m looking forward to operating POTA from my motorcycle and attending more hamfests and events to meet and encourage YLs!”
Vice President
Vicki Zumwalt, N6KLS
Email: vicepresident@ylrl.org
I reside in Kingman, Arizona. My accomplishments include: Current President of YLRL 2024 and 2025. ARRL Life Member, QCWA member, ARRL Assistant Director of Southwest and Pacific Division, Pacificon Ham Convention vendor chair and tri-chair for the 2019 convention in San Ramon, CA, Trustee for the W7KDS Northern Digital Repeater System, Past President of the Mt. Diablo and Hualapai Amateur Radio Clubs, chair of the Contra Costa Repeater Association and a net control operator. Plus, a net control for the popular Route 66 event for the Kingman, AZ station. I maintain my QCWA membership in Chapter 228 in Concord, CA and am passionate about my work in supporting our scholarship program.
Secretary
Anne Manna, WB1ARU
614 Webster Street, Hanover MA. 02339-1180
(781) 878-9235
Email: secretary@ylrl.org
I was licensed in January 1977 with a Novice license and earned my Extra in 2009. I have been a member of YLRL since 1977 when I was invited to join by a member whom I worked on the air. In 1986, I was elected as the District 1 Chair and held that position until 2007 when I was elected President. In 2009 I was elected Secretary. I am also serving as the Parliamentarian. I enjoy nets and participate in 3 each week. Field Day and the YL/OM contest are 2 of my favorite operating events, along with public service at the Boston Marathon. I have attended all but one of the YLRL conventions held since 1982 and have met hundreds of YLs and made many friends through YLRL. Travel to other countries to meet YLs has been a wonderful experience. I have also attended Hamvention each year since 2008. I live in Hanover, MA with my OM, Tony, WA1ENO, who introduced me to the hobby.
Disbursing Treasurer
Judy Cox, KC5BOO
Email: disbursingtreas@ylrl.org
I was first licensed as a ham in 2015 and hold an extra class license. I love ham radio and the friendship and encouragement the ham community provides. I first became interested in radio as a means to communicate with others and to learn about life and customs in other countries.
I love various aspects of ham radio but I’m especially drawn to nets and special events. Of late I’ve also done some POTA chasing but no activations yet. I have always loved tinkering and have done a few small radio building projects. They aren’t always successful but it is fun .
I have had the honor and privilege of being your Disbursing Treasurer since 2022 and thoroughly enjoy serving YLRL in this capacity.
I live in Cleburne, Texas with my husband of 47 years. We have 3 children and 9 grandchildren and one beautiful great granddaughter. After years of being the only radio operator in the family, I’m happy to say my daughter in Missouri has recently been licensed and I’m looking forward to many QSOs with her.
Receiving Treasurers
Districts 1- 1Ø, KH6, KL7, VE
Vicky Luetzelschwab, AE9YL
Email: rectreasurer@ylrl.org
My name is Vicky Luetzelschwab and my callsign is AE9YL. I am also ZF2YL. I have been a ham since 1987. I received my extra class license with 13wpm code in 2000. My OM is Carl K9LA and he is a ham. I retired from teaching, but I work as a lunch lady in a local school. I am a member of the ARRL, FISTS, QCWA, and the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society. I like to work DX and Contest.
DX
Lorna Flansburg, KI5FIZ
Email: dxtreas@ylrl.org
I became a Ham in 2019, and leveled up to Extra in December 2022. I was one of those kids with an interest in Ham radio, but no one around to Elmer me! I remember having a Radio Shack lp record to practice receiving code. I was unsuccessful, and eventually lost interest. After I retired, my daughter mentioned that she’d read that no Morse Code was required anymore! A few days later I contacted our local Ham club and got involved. With a lot of kindness and help from local hams, I continue to enjoy the hobby.
District Representatives
District 1
Barbara Irby, KC1KGS
Email: district1@ylrl.org
District 2
Suzan Colon, W2QMI
Email: district2@ylrl.org
District 3
Linda Robinson, W1MP
Email: district3@ylrl.org
District 4
Tonya Pride, KR4BTJ
Email: district4@ylrl.org
I became licensed in 2024, but my interest in amateur radio goes back to the 1990s. I started attending club meetings in 2018 and finally took the leap to get my Technician license after years of learning from others and exploring the hobby behind the scenes. I’m a member of the Fulton County Kentucky Amateur Radio Club and the Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club based in Union City, Tennessee, and I’m currently studying for my General class upgrade.
Professionally, I work in IT and technical operations at Discovery Park of America in West Tennessee, where I also mentor interns and support everything from exhibits and events to digital infrastructure. I’ve found that many of the skills I use at work—problem solving, communication, and organization—also come in handy in the world of amateur radio.
I’m especially passionate about helping newcomers feel welcomed and supported, just like others have done for me. As District 4 Chair, I hope to encourage more YLs to get involved, learn together, and build confidence on the air. When I’m not tinkering with radios, I enjoy reading, walking my dog, and spending time outdoors with my chickens and garden.
District 5
Judi Jaksa, W0JJ
Email: district5ylrl.org
When I was growing up, I knew nothing about ham radio. In college in IN in the mid 1960’s I met Dave, W0VX, who had been a ham since high school. Dave and I married in 1968 and moved to IA.
I became the wife of a ham, following him around to some meetings and conventions. In 1984 I had knee surgery and had to stay in bed for 3 weeks. I was presented the book “Intro to Ham Radio”. Soon I started passing each level test all the way up to Extra Class. Joined ARRL, YLRL, regional and DX clubs where I held various officer positions. I have over 150 confirmed countries. I also work YLRL contests. YLOM was the best!!
Dave’s company moved us to CA for 1 year and then on to TX. We both kept our W0 calls through the moves. We have been here in the Dallas area for 35 years. We primarily operate 10 HF bands from our city lot with beam antennas for 6 – 20 meters and dipole and vertical antennas for 30 – 160 meters.
District 6
Debbie Johnson, WB6LVC
Email: district6@ylrl.org
Hello, ladies. My name is Debbie Johnson/WB6LVC. I have been a ham since 1984. My current class of license is Extra. I am a member of ARRL as well as YLRL. I am also a VE for W5YI and ARRL. I am a member of MTARA/ Mountain Top Amateur Radio Association. I have also written articles for YLH, in the District 6 column. I have had FEMA training in relation to being a member of the Mountain Top ARES. Other nets I participate in are CRC, Ladies of the Net (Net Control), MTARA 220 Net, of which I am the moderator every Tuesday night, sharing radio information and history, and the Gordon West simplex net. I have attended Pacificon in San Ramon regularly where I have spoken at the YL Forum several times. Along with participating in Field Day, I have also assisted in communications with Tour de Big Bear, Kodiak 100 and Grand Fondo. I also enjoy teaching licensing classes with my husband for Human Resources in the County of San Bernardino. When not doing radio activities, we enjoy spending time with our grandchildren. I retired in 2012 after 35 years as an elementary teacher.
District 7
Marilyn (Emma) Melhorn, AF7MM
Email: district7@ylrl.org
I got my Tech and General licenses in 2008, my Extra in 2012. During Covid I took CW classes online and have been enjoying that. I also really enjoy Field Day. On the radio I go by Emma. I have belonged to YLRL since 2009. I’ve been President and District 7 chair in the past. I am now the Affiliated Clubs Chair and District 7 Chair again. I like to do contests/events, including 13 Colonies, Route 66, and others. I co-chair Lewis & Clark Trail OTA.
District 8
Nancy Rabel Hall, KC4IYD
Email: district8@ylrl.org
I was first licensed in 1989 as KC4IYD and continued to upgrade all the way to Extra having to pass the 20 wpm code test too. I am a Past YLRL President, Vice President and Receiving Treasurer. I was the chair for the 2002 YLRL Convention in Ohio. I am the current District 8 chair and am the trustee for the YLRL club K4LMB. I currently work at NASA Glenn Research as a research scientist/project manager and am the club president for the NASA Glenn Amateur Radio Club. I live with my OM Steve, W8HF and daughter Carol W8CSH. I am a former Girl Scout Troop leader, enjoy playing golf, and reading science fiction and fantasy books. In ham radio, I enjoy working special events station, contesting, and building QRP kits.
District 9
Linda Metz, KC8PKY
Email: district9@ylrl.org
Extra license, licensed in 2000, YLRL since 2001, President 14/15, Vice president 12/13. Enjoys fox hunting, ARES, RACES, contesting. OM is Dave, KC8OBH. Lives in Knox, IN.
District 10
Roxanne Baxter, AA7RX
Email: district10@ylrl.org
Attending a post-apocalyptic communications presentation at DragonCon 2010 may seem like a strange way to enter the world of ham radio, but it’s perfectly “on brand” for Roxanne Baxter. Within a month, she passed her Technician exam, and within a year, she earned her General and Amateur Extra licenses. After a lot of deliberation, she finally settled on AA7RX as her vanity callsign. (Roxanne grew up in Oregon and plans to return there after retirement.)
Life got in the way, so she didn’t get on the air until October 2013. A year and a half later, she earned DXCC. In 2016, she received a callsign, DA1RX, for her new (temporary) home in Germany, but her location at the bottom of a steep valley severely limited her ability to operate, and she set aside her radio equipment.
Since returning to Nebraska in 2022, she has maintained her license, but she has not yet returned to the airwaves. Her current plans are to set up her DX-friendly station at home while using her pink RV camper to do Parks on the Air.
District KH6/KL7
Meghan Crocker KL5AF
Email: districtak@ylrl.org
Meghan passed her Tech/General in April 2020 and Extra in 2021. She is a member of the SPARC and SKCC. She and her OM Jon KL5AE enjoy the great outdoors and are avid musicians. If trumpet playing isn’t enough, she also plays piano, guitar and drums. Meghan has worked for the National Park and National Forest Services. With the many parks and summits in Alaska, chasing and activating POTAs and SOTAs have become one of her favorite activities.
District VE
Kathy Steels, VE3GYL
Email: districtve@ylrl.org
I live in London, Ontario, Canada which is two hours east of Detroit, Michigan. I obtained my license in 1976 when I was 15 years old and have my Advanced Certificate. I became interested in the hobby after my father passed away and his best friend became a father figure to my sister and me. He was a Ham Radio operator, VE3EJQ SK and he took both of us to classes every week.
My favorite aspects of ham radio are Dxing and Contests. Very seldom will you hear me having a conversation on the radio. I use SSB, RTTY and FT8. As of July 2025 I have worked 320 countries and the more I work, the harder it is becoming. I have obtained the 1,000 level of the DXCC Challenge Award and I need a few more countries on 80 meters to get my 5 Band DXCC. I am a current member of the Contest Club of Ontario and I have a volunteer position within that organization.
My husband is David VE3UZ; he obtained his license in 1975 and we met through our local Ham Radio Club in London. We have one radio station in the house so we juggle our radio time and contests. We love to camp and always bring a portable station with us on our journeys. My husband has recently become involved in POTA and I may start that activity this summer as well.
District DX
Lorna Flansburg, KI5FIZ
Email: dxtreas@ylrl.org
I became a Ham in 2019, and leveled up to Extra in December 2022. I was one of those kids with an interest in Ham radio, but no one around to Elmer me! I remember having a Radio Shack lp record to practice receiving code. I was unsuccessful, and eventually lost interest. After I retired, my daughter mentioned that she’d read that no Morse Code was required anymore! A few days later I contacted our local Ham club and got involved. With a lot of kindness and help from local hams, I continue to enjoy the hobby.
I’m the ARES EC for Robertson County and also active in the Brazos Valley ARES group, as well as a member of RACES. I call our Robertson County ARES net each Thursday night – and my skills are continually improving! As treasurer, I’m active in the Bryan Amateur Radio Club (W5BCS). I enjoy being part of the team organizing our club’s ARRL Field Day and Winter Field Day events. I’m also the VE Liaison for the club and we enjoy offering exams monthly.
Outside of radio, I’m a member & officer in a local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. I’m a member and Secretary of the Brazos Valley Parliamentarian Unit, where we study Roberts’ Rules of Order in an attempt to master the chaos around us. I enjoy needlepoint (wool on canvas) and serve as staff to two cats, a Calico and a ginger. I have one daughter, a 16 year old granddaughter, and a 4 year old grandson. I am a retired government contracting officer. I served about 9 years in Germany and was able to travel a good deal in Europe both for work and for pleasure. I am an Army veteran, serving from 1976-1979, and a member of the American Legion Post 159. I live in Hearne TX, a small town with a big railroad history.
Youth
Open
If you are interested in this position, contact Diane Ortiz K2DO, President
Email: Email: president@ylrl.org
