When Hamvention® 2006 opened at Hara Arena on May 19 2006, three amateur radio operators were honored guests for their contributions to the Amateur Radio Service.
Gordon West, WB6NOA (Amateur of The Year), a man responsible for helping to recruit many new hams; Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH (Special Achievement Award), who helped bring improved enforcement to the ham bands; and Richard Illman, AH6EZ/W9 (Technical Excellence Award), whose efforts helped develop a solution to BPL interference, have been named as recipients of this year’s Hamvention® awards.