In 2019, Newsline introduced its Newsmaker of the Year Award in recognition of deserving amateurs who raised the profile of ham radio around the world via conventional media channels. The media universe has changed since then. We now communicate reliably via blogs, videos and other forms of social media with conventional media taking a backseat. Toward that end, we are replacing the Newsmaker award with Newsline's Influencer Award, shining a light on those who have had a measurable, far-reaching and positive impact on amateur radio. That award will be presented at year's end.
Meanwhile, it is fitting that we give our final Newsmaker of the Year Award to Hap Holly, KC9RP. Hap, a member of the Newsline family, left an imprint on the world via his Radio Amateur Information Network, or RAIN report, weekly reports he produced for three decades. Hap, who became blind at the age of 7, was an active and influential amateur for most of his 73 years. He became a Silent Key on February 24th of this year. As we remember him with pride and gratitude, we honor him for being the remarkable newsmaker that he was.