Thousands of Hams Make Airwaves 'Radio-active' June 18-26

Thousands of Hams Make Airwaves 'Radio-active' June 18-26

NEWINGTON, Conn., June 17 /PRNewswire/ -- From tsunamis in Asia to hurricanes in Florida -- when trouble is brewing, ham radio is often the first to provide critical information and communications in emergencies. During the week of June 18-26, people will have a chance to meet with these ham radio operators as hams across the USA and around the world hold public demonstrations of emergency communications abilities.

Beginning June 18 with "Kids' Day" and climaxing with "Field Day" on June 25-26, "Amateur Radio Awareness Week" is sponsored by the ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. Using only generators, batteries or solar power, ham operators construct emergency stations in parks, shopping malls, schools and backyards around the country to test their skills. From these portable stations, the hams talk and share information all around the world. Their slogan, "Ham radio works when other systems don't!" is more than just words to hams as they send messages without the help of phone systems, internet or other infrastructures that can be compromised in a crisis. More than 30,000 amateur radio operators participated in last year's event.

"We hope that people will come and see the fun and excitement of today's Amateur Radio," said Allen Pitts of the ARRL. "It may be called 'Amateur Radio' because we are unpaid, but like our 'Amateur Volunteer Firefighters' the skills are among the world's best."

Amateur Radio operators, often called "hams," will be demonstrating AM, FM, digital, Morse code and even satellite communications in many locations. Several clubs will also be experimenting with TV signals and ultra high frequency equipment. It was from this type of practical experience as an Amateur Radio Operator that many electrical engineers went on to develop the marvels of today's communications.

There are 670,000 Amateur Radio operators in the US, and more than 2.5 million around the world. Through the ARRL, hams provide emergency communications for the Department of Homeland Security, Citizens' Corps, Red Cross, Salvation Army, FEMA and thousands of state and local agencies, all for free.

To learn more about Amateur Radio, go to www.arrl.org. The public is most cordially invited to come, meet and talk with the hams. They might even help you get on the air! Find a local club near you at: http://www.arrl.org/findaclub

Source: American Radio Relay League

CONTACT: Allen Pitts, Media & PR Manager for ARRL, +1-860-594-0328

Web site: http://www.arrl.org/
http://www.arrl.org/findaclub

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