ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® announced the winner of the 2025 ARRL Sweepstakes Icom® Dream Station on Saturday, February 14, at 2026 Orlando HamCation. The announcement was made by ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, with Icom America Senior Sales Manager Ray Novak, N9JA.
The ARRL Sweepstakes ran from January 3 to December 31, 2025, as the centerpiece of a year-long membership drive designed to encourage new members to join and current members to renew their support.
Congratulations to Lee Warren, KI5YDR
Roderick announced that the ARRL Sweepstakes winner is member Lee Warren, KI5YDR, of Honolulu, Hawaii.
Warren earned his amateur radio license in 2022 after thinking about the value of having radios available in case of a disaster. “With all the research I was doing, I realized I might as well get my Technician license,” he said. He upgraded to General Class in 2023 so he could operate KH6BB, the radio room aboard the USS Missouri museum ship in Pearl Harbor.
His first contact was with a Parks on the Air® (POTA) operator at Lake Mead, Nevada. Now, he’s learning Morse code so he can operate using the keys once used by his grandfather, Thomas Lee “Buddy” Dykes (SK, 2000).
Roderick and Novak congratulated Warren via Zoom from the convention floor. “I’m very excited about winning the sweepstakes — especially since I was going to renew my ARRL membership anyway,” Warren said. “The publications and public outreach are great, but the real value for me is knowing that an organized, motivated group of people are lobbying Congress to make sure we keep the airwaves free enough for the hobby to thrive. I also appreciate Icom’s donation of the prize to help keep ARRL top of mind for my fellow hams and future licensees.”
Icom Dream Station Prize
Warren received the grand prize “Dream Station” featuring the latest amateur radio equipment, generously donated by Icom America:
- IC-7760 HF/50 MHz 200 W Transceiver – Icom 60th Anniversary Signature Edition, which also includes a limited-edition Seiko watch commemorating Icom’s anniversary
- IC-PW2 1 kW Linear Amplifier
- SM-50 Advanced Desktop Microphone
Watch the winner announcement on YouTube
Board of Directors Recognizes Icom America and Ray Novak
In recognition of the extraordinary support behind the 2025 membership drive, the ARRL Board of Directors formally honored Icom America Inc. and Ray Novak, N9JA.
The Board expressed its sincere gratitude for Icom’s donation of the complete amateur radio station and acknowledged Novak’s instrumental role in making the contribution possible. The Board also noted Icom’s ongoing partnership to strengthen ARRL’s mission and help ensure a vibrant future for amateur radio.
To join ARRL, visit www.arrl.org/join
About ARRL®
ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® was founded in 1914 as The American Radio Relay League, and is a noncommercial organization of radio amateurs. ARRL’s mission is to promote and protect the art, science, and enjoyment of amateur radio, and to develop the next generation of radio amateurs. ARRL supports members with opportunities to discover radio, to develop new skills, and to serve their local communities. ARRL’s youth initiatives include programs to inspire students and advance STEM education through amateur radio, and to encourage pathways to higher education and careers in wireless communications and related technical fields. ARRL is also the Secretariat of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). For more information about ARRL and amateur radio, visit www.arrl.org/world-amateur-radio-day.