Brian Short, KC0BS, of Olathe, Kansas, is the recipient of the 2014 Philip J. McGan Silver Antenna Award. The award recognizes outstanding public relations efforts in promoting Amateur Radio to the non-ham community. Short, an ARRL Life Member, appeared on Kansas City Public Media’s “Up To Date” interview program on KCUR-FM in November 2013. The show, “Exploring Ham Radio in a Digital World,” highlighted Amateur Radio’s value to the community and how individuals can get involved. An Amateur Radio instructor, he was the recipient of the 2009 Herb Brier Instructor of the Year Award

“Brian has done an outstanding job of using both traditional and social media to bring the message of Amateur Radio to the public,” said ARRL Midwest Division Director Cliff Ahrens, K0CA. “He is very deserving of this recognition.”

The product of an Amateur Radio family, Short has been licensed since 1987, when he was 18. He is an ARRL Midwest Division Assistant Director, serves as Johnson County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Emergency Coordinator, and is a SKYWARN weather spotter. He is also president and frequency coordinator of the Kansas Amateur Repeater Council and of the NEKSUN/K0HAM group. He has been a Public Information Officer in the Kansas City area.

The ARRL Public Relations Committee recommended Short for the award, and the ARRL Board of Directors affirmed the committee’s choice. As this year’s McGan Award winner, Short will receive a plaque. The award’s namesake, journalist Philip J. McGan, WA2MBQ (SK), served as the first chairman of the ARRL’s Public Relations Committee.