2022/2023 Officers
YLRL Officers
President
Rita McConnell, NE0DB
Email: president@ylrl.org
Extra License, I was licensed in 2016 and became a member of YLRL. I live in Pueblo West, Colorado with Jim (NE0DA). I participate in emergency communications, ARRL Field Day, fox hunts and various YL Echolink nets. My interests are special events, contesting and collecting QSL cards. Memberships include: ARRL, YLISSB, CLARA, BYLARA and Pueblo West ARC.
Vice President
Carol Laferty, K4SAF
Email: vicepresident@ylrl.org
Licensed as Novice in 1957. Extra Class in 1999. 15-year member YLRL, U. S. & Canada Receiving Treasurer for 11 years. Member of ARRL, SKCC, FISTS, QWCA, YLISSB, Morehead KY Amateur Radio Society. Recently named ARRL official QSL card checker for Kentucky. Retired in 2008 as Business Education teacher in high school and Morehead State University. Recently working on ARRL awards, having completed 5 Band WAS, plus four additional bands WAS. Obtained DXCC, plus working on 5 Band DXCC. Need 10 and 80 still for that. Completed YLRL Worked All States – Y in 2021. VE for local club testing.
Secretary
Anne Manna, WB1ARU
614 Webster Street, Hanover MA. 02339-1180
(781) 878-9235
Email: secretary@ylrl.org
Extra license, licensed in 1976, YLRL since 1997, DC 1 ’86-07, President 08-09, Secretary since 2010. Member ARRL; WRONE, Past president, Net & membership chair; CLARA; BYLARA; ALARA; QCWA; 10-X; So. Shore RA; K1USN. Attended all but one YLRL Convention since ‘82. Enjoys Field Day, nets, public service, YL contests, “rag-chew” QSOs. OM is Tony, WA1ENO. Lives in Hanover, MA.
Disbursing Treasurer
Judy Cox, KC5BOO
Email: disbursingtreas@ylrl.org
I was first licensed in 2015. 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. I’m 67 years old and have had rheumatoid arthritis since I was 5. I have never let that slow me down though. However, as a result I’m mostly homebound and radio is a way for me to travel and make friends worldwide. One of my great joys recently is getting to know a group of women in India via their daily echolink net. I love participating in nets, special events, and in any way I can to help my local community. I host my own special event “Boo To You” on October 31.
I live in Cleburne, Texas with my husband of 43 years. We have 3 children and 10 grandchildren. I’m the only radio operator in the family but I keep trying to instill radio love in the others.
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 have been a ham since 1987. I received my extra class license with 13wpm code in 2000. My OM is ham and he became my mentor. His callsign is K9LA and he is the Director for the Ninth Call Area. I am a Special Education teacher in a Catholic School. I am a member of the ARRL, FISTS, and the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society. I like to work DX and Contest.
DX
Anne Dirkman, KC9YL
Email: dxtreas@ylrl.org
Anne has been a member of YLRL since 2013 and was appointed DX Treasurer in 2019. She also manages the Mailchimp newsletter mailing list. Anne was licensed in 2011 and holds an Amateur Extra license. A “late bloomer” to amateur radio – first licensed at age 57 as KC9UHH – Anne is an active DXer and contester, operating SSB, RTTY, FT8, and her new favorite – CW. Anne belongs to numerous amateur radio clubs including contest and DX groups. She attended the last YLRL & CLARA (Canada) conventions and is an annual attendee at HamVention. Some of her favorite amateur radio activities are operating special event stations aboard the World War II submarine, the USS Cobia and at the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh Wisconsin. Anne retired from her position as Bookkeeper/Payroll Specialist for the local school district and now has time for other hobbies including: Mah Jongg, playing the ukulele, gardening and running. Anne lives in Francis Creek, located in northeast Wisconsin
District Representatives
District 1
Barbara Irby, KC1KGS
Email: district1@ylrl.org
District 2
Ria Jairam, N2RJ
Email: district2@ylrl.org
Extra license, licensed in 1997 in her native Trinidad and Tobago, FCC license in 2001 after emigrating to the United States. YLRL since 2016, DC 2 since 2018. Member ARRL, Hudson Division Director; Frankford Radio Club, Northern NJ section manager; VE. Avid DXer and contester, has won many awards in amateur radio contesting, particularly in HF DX contesting. Very involved in mentoring and teaching both new hams and experienced hams, particularly with HF. Regular check-in and contributor on the YL OP net on Echolink and sometimes the Yankee Lassies net on HF. Alumna of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, works as a lead IT project engineer in the financial sector. Volunteers with several youth technology initiatives including FIRST robotics. Proud mom of triplets. Lives in Sussex, NJ.
District 3
Deanna Lutz, K9DID
Email: district3@ylrl.org
A little about me: My father was a ham since well before I was born and I grew up with an interest in world geography through his QSOs (and the National Geographic.) I used to ‘color’ (scribble) in his logbooks with a red crayon, wanting to be a ham too, but it wasn’t until 1986 that I finally received my Novice license. In the years since then, I’ve operated from a station in my dorm room while serving in the military at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage, AK; organized and operated the special event station commemorating the first anniversary of the attack on the Pentagon; been pictured on the cover of a previous edition of the Tech Class Licensing manual; and achieved my extra class ticket. These days you’ll find me chasing DX, mostly on FT8. My parents and husband round out the ‘hamily’ of vanity call DIDs and you can learn more about us at www.dids.us. There is no limit to the fun one can have with ham radio! I am a clockmaker by trade, running my own little shop while my non-radio interests include knitting, quilting, genealogy research, and I am an active member with the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Deanna
District 4
Audrey Mc Elroy, KM4BUN
Email: district4@ylrl.org
Hello! I’m Audrey McElroy, KM4BUN, and I’m a second -year electrical engineering student at Georgia Institute of Technology. I was licensed in 2014 and hold an Extra license. I have been involved in many amateur radio clubs in the North Georgia area, but I am most active in The Georgia Tech Amateur Radio Club, W4AQL, where I am the Vice President. My main focus is growing the club to be inclusive to women and youth who are interested in radio, and making sure they have the support and resources available to be successful in amateur radio.
Beyond the school club, I am involved in launching high altitude balloons, the occasional ISS pass and contesting. In July 2020, I was appointed the Youth Correspondent for the Young Ladies Radio League (YLRL). Since 2022, I have served the YLRL in the capacity of its District 4 Chairwoman.
I look forward to continuing my education at Georgia Tech and hope to hear you on the air!
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.
I am currently net control for Texas Young Ladies Round Up Net on Thursdays at 8 am central time on 3947 kHz. Waiting for COVID to be over so we can have a local ham convention where I have enjoyed hosting a YLRL table to welcome YLs as they walk by.
I am excited to be the new 5th District Chair and to meet the YLs in our district.
District 6
Carol Milazzo, KP4MD
Email: district6@ylrl.org
Dr. Carol Milazzo is the current District 6 Chairwoman of the Young Ladies’ Radio League. Starting as a short wave listener in the 60’s she has been a licensed amateur radio operator since 1970. Carol has been a member of ARRL since 1973, the Medical Amateur Radio Council (MARCO) since 1977 and the YLRL since 2005. Carol and her husband Roger, KI6FYF, who became a silent key in 2018, are Life members of the ARRL where she currently serves as ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Manager. Carol maintains a personal web page at qsl.net/kp4md and is n6na.org webmaster for the River City Amateur Radio Communications Society in Sacramento. Carol plays piano and is active on CW, phone and digital modes from 160 meters through 432 MHz. Carol has published articles on satellite tracking, filter design programming, antenna modeling, WSPR data analysis.
District 7
Robin Resnick, KJ7BI
Email: district7@ylrl.org
I’ve been licensed since 1993, having gotten my ticket because my grandfather (W7EOE, SK) bribed me into it with his Swan 700. I used to rag-chew for hours on the HF bands, and often was NET Control for the Handi-Hams and the MINOWs. 4 months ago, I had to sell my house and most belongings, including radios and accompanying gear, and move myself and my partner into a residential care facility. Antennas not allowed – boohoo!
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
Barbara Schlueter, KD0WAU
Email: district10@ylrl.org
I am a member of the Flint Hills ARC, Augusta, KS, the Wichita ARC, the USS Batfish ARC in OK and ARRL. I worked with the Butler County Community Emergency Response Team in charge of Communications. I enjoy working the Kansas QSO Party each year representing Greenwood County. My OM, Wayne, KD0WAT and I setup portable for two days deep in the Kansas Flint Hills and make contacts all over the world during the Party.
I started the Ladies On The Air (LOTA) Net in July of 2016. We meet every Tuesday night at 8:00 PM Central. The purpose of the net is for YLs to have fun each week and to learn some radio in the process. We are on the KD0WAU-L node and it is interfaced to the Kan Okla Intertie system. I have an Extra Class license since 2013 and have been with the YLRL since 2016. I live in Andover, KS
District KH6/KL7
Sharon Groomer, KL2CM & Meghan Crocker KL5AF
Sharon Groomer, KL2CM
Email: districtak@ylrl.org
Sharon’s interest in amateur radio started with her family as both her father and brother were licensed operators. She holds an extra license which she received in 2006. She joined YLRL in 2007.
She is a collector of rocks, enjoys walking her dogs and studying the bible.
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
Suzanne Snape, VE7IM
Email: districtve@ylrl.org
Licensed in 2002, Member of CLARA – BC Area Rep. she has been a member of YLRL since 2004 and has been VE District Chair since 2005. She enjoys DX, nets and QSOs with friends. Lives in Courtenay, British Columbia.
District DX
Anne Dirkman, KC9YL
See DX Treasurer above
Youth
Kate Campbell, KE8LQR
Email: youth@ylrl.org
She became interested in amateur radio through family and school. When the school resource officer started an amateur radio club, she joined and soon received her technician license at age ten. At age 11, she and her mother passed their general licenses at Hamvention 2019. In June of 2019, she became an Amateur Extra.
