Tens of Thousands of “Hams” go On Air this Weekend

 

Newington, CT  – Tens of thousands of Amateur Radio operators will be firing up portable radio stations from unexpected locations this weekend. These radio operators aid in emergency communications support during major emergencies.

 

Called “hams,” they are often among the first to provide rescuers with critical information because they can send messages from isolated and remote locations without phones or Internet. On June 22-23, the public can meet these radio operators and, in some cases, get a chance to get on the air under the supervision of a ham. Over 35,000 operators will operate from parks, malls, schools and yards around the country. They’ll send and receive messages to other operators in the U.S. and around the world. Using everything from digital and satellite communications to Morse code, "Field Day" is the climax of the week long "Amateur Radio Week" sponsored by ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. It's likely that there's a Field Day location near you, to find one go to www.ARRL.org/field-day-locator. 

 

Over the past year, the news has been full of reports of Amateur Radio operators providing communications during unexpected emergencies in towns across America including wildfires, winter storms, tornadoes and other events world-wide.  "The fastest way to turn a crisis into a total disaster is to lose communications,” said Allen Pitts of the ARRL.  “From the tsunami in Japan to tornadoes in Missouri, ham radio provided reliable communication networks in the first critical hours of the events.  Because ham radios are not dependent on complex systems, they work when nothing else is available.  We need nothing between us but air.”

 

Their slogan, "Ham Radio Works” is more than just words to the hams as they prove they can send messages in many forms without any other infrastructure that can be compromised in a crisis. They invite the public to come and see ham radio’s new capabilities and learn how to get their own FCC radio license before the next disaster strikes.

 

There are now over 700,000 Amateur Radio licensees in the US, and more than 2.5 million around the world.  Through the ARRL’s Amateur Radio Emergency Services program, ARES^®, ham volunteers provide emergency communications for thousands of state and local emergency response agencies and non-emergency community services too, all for free.  #ARRL  #Fieldday

 

 

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For Immediate Release

For more information, contact:            

Bob Inderbitzen, Marketing Manager,

ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio®

225 Main Street

Newington, CT 06111

rinderbitzen@arrl.org; tel 860-594-0213

ARRL Centennial Convention in Hartford, July 2014

August 29, 2012  NEWINGTON, CT – ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio^®, announced the organization will hold its national Centennial Convention in Hartford, Connecticut, July 17-20, 2014. The Convention will mark 100 years of the ARRL’s founding in Hartford. The theme for ARRL’s Centennial year is “Advancing the Art and Science of Radio -- since 1914.” 

 

Hiram Percy Maxim (1869-1936), a leading Hartford inventor and industrialist, founded the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) in May 1914, together with Clarence Tuska, secretary of the Radio Club of Hartford. Today, ARRL serves over 158,000 members, mostly licensed radio amateurs, in the US and around the world.  The organization’s headquarters has been maintained in the Hartford area since its founding. ARRL’s present facilities are located on Main Street in Newington, Connecticut, a suburb of Hartford, and are visited by nearly 2,000 groups and individuals each year. The site is also home to The Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station since 1938. The radio station, W1AW,  is known as “the flagship station for Amateur Radio” and is known world wide.  ARRL employs around 100 people.

 

“The 2014 Centennial Convention is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen explaining that event will have all of the trademark elements of a proper convention and hamfest; presentations and forums, exhibits, vendors, demonstrations, flea market, activities for youth, and banquet. “But, plan on some very special centennial-themed activities,” he added, “including tours of ARRL headquarters and W1AW, guest presenters, some surprises, and lots of celebrating! We want ARRL members to come with all of their experiences from the first one hundred years of Amateur Radio and ARRL, and leave with a shared vision for ARRL’s Second Century.”

The decision to host the Centennial Convention in Hartford was reinforced by the organizers of the New England Division Convention, held every two years in Boxborough, MA. “Boxborough’s organizing sponsor, FEMARA, Inc., graciously agreed to forgo holding a convention there in 2014,” said ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer. “Instead, FEMARA has offered to help share its expertise and volunteers as we prepare to bring this national level celebration to Hartford.

 

The area boasts dozens of attractions and activities, making Connecticut a great destination for members who plan to attend the convention with their family and friends. Nearby attractions include the Connecticut Science Center, Mark Twain House, Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, and Wadsworth Athenaeum. Hartford is served by an international airport (Hartford/Springfield BDL), and is conveniently located between Boston and New York City. Hartford’s centrally located Union Station is serviced by Amtrak and major bus companies.

 

Interested parties may learn more about ARRL, Amateur Radio and the Centennial Convention at www.arrl.org/expo.

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About ARRL and the Amateur Radio Service

Amateur Radio (often called “ham radio”) provides the broadest and most powerful wireless communications capability available to any private citizen anywhere in the world. The principles of this federally licensed radio service include public service, radio experimentation, and international goodwill.

ARRL is the national membership association for Amateur Radio operators in the US. Its mission is “to promote and advance the art, science and enjoyment of Amateur Radio.” ARRL members span the globe, supported by the organization’s programs, activities, publications and experts. ARRL publishes books, software, online courses and resources for Amateur Radio licensing, operating, and education. ARRL and its members also provide outreach to schools and teachers, inspiring students to pursue education and careers in the fields of wireless technology (radio, electronics, and computers).