Newly elected ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, will make his first official convention visit at the ARRL Puerto Rico State Convention later this month in Hatillo, Puerto Rico. Roderick was elected as President by the ARRL Board of Directors on January 15, during the Board’s Annual Meeting. A ham for 48 years, Roderick, of Little Rock, Arkansas, is an ARRL Life Member who has served on the Board for 24 years.

“The Organizing Committee of the convention is pleased to know that President Roderick will be attending and has chosen to participate with us,” said Convention Chair José Vicéns, NP4G. Other League officials expected to attend include Southeastern Division Director Doug Rehman, K4AC, and General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD.

“I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the ARRL Puerto Rico State Convention,” President Roderick told the Organizing Committee.

The January 30-31 event, the 4th Puerto Rico State Convention, will be dedicated to emergency communication. The Caribbean Amateur Radio Group, the Puerto Rico Amateur Radio Group, and the city of Hatillo are co-sponsoring the gathering. The convention will take place in the Francisco “Pancho” Deida Coliseum. More than 1200 are expected to attend the largest Amateur Radio event of the Caribbean. Admission is free.

In addition to forums, exhibits, and Amateur Radio examinations, special event station KP4AW will be on the air from inside the coliseum. An Amateur of the Year Award will also be presented, and the Coquifest 2016 get-together will be held on el Gran Parque de Hatillo on Saturday evening.