3/19/2021

After 27 years of faithful service to the Oneida County Traffic & Emergency Net, Jack KA2ZNZ has retired from his role as OCTEN Net Manager. Jack has been a licensed amateur radio operator for over 35 years and has a long history of being dedicated to traffic handling and as a mentor to many new amateurs. During this time Jack has been deployed to disaster stricken areas to route welfare traffic when needed. 
Jack is known for recognizing local hams on their birthdays and anniversaries through radiograms as a way to generate interest in traffic handling and to help the net members practice their skills. He encourages his net members to be active participants in other nets in addition to OCTEN, and teaches that OCTEN is part of a much larger cog. 
Through Jack’s service, the OCTEN net has grown to provide traffic coverage beyond Oneida County regularly including portions of Central New York, North Country, Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley and Finger Lakes.  
With Jack’s retirement, Doug AK2Z has accepted the appointment as OCTEN Net Manager and Dick KA2JFU has accepted the appointment as OCTEN Assistant Net Manager, effective March 19. Andy W2ZXN has also accepted the appointment of Assistant Section Traffic Manager for the ARRL Western New York Section, to help further strengthen traffic handling across the larger eastern portion of the WNY Section.
Please join us in thanking Jack KA2ZNZ for his dedication and service to OCTEN. Please also join us in welcoming and supporting Doug, Dick and Andy in their newly appointed roles.
Matt K2EAG ARRL WNY Section Traffic Manager