Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Gov. Beebe declares “Amateur Radio Week”; Amateur Radio Operators to Demonstrate Capabilities

By Joshua Carroll, N5JLC - Arkansas Section Public Information Coordinator


Governor Mike Beebe has issued a proclamation recognizing the public service contributions of Arkansas’ Amateur Radio operators and declaring June 20-26, 2010 as “Amateur Radio Week”. This comes as Amateur Radio operators throughout the state prepare to demonstrate their emergency communications capabilities in an annual event called “Field Day”.

Thousands of Ham Radio operators will be showing off their emergency capabilities during the twenty-four hour event, which will begin at 1 PM on June 26.  On the weekend of June 26-27, the public will have a chance to meet and talk with these Ham Radio operators and see for themselves what the Amateur Radio Service is about.  Hams from across the US and Canada will be holding public demonstrations of emergency communications abilities, showing the newest digital and satellite capabilities, voice communications and even historical Morse code.  Using only emergency power, ham operators will construct emergency stations in parks, shopping malls, schools, and backyards around the country.  Their slogan, “Ham radio works when all else fails” is more than just words to these operators as they prove they can send messages in many forms without the use of phone systems, Internet or other infrastructure that can be compromised in a crisis.  More than 30,000 operators across the country participated in last year’s event.

In the Little Rock area, the CAUHF Group and the Arkansas Emergency Services Club will be demonstrating Amateur Radio at Burns Park, pavilion 11.  They invite the public to come and see ham radio’s new capabilities, get on the air and speak with a distant station, and learn how to get their own FCC radio license.  A ribbon-cutting ceremony has been scheduled to kick-off the event at this location.  The ceremony will take place at 12:45 pm, at which time the Boy Scouts of America will present the Colors and civic leaders will be invited to make the first contact of Field Day.  Those invited to participate in the ceremony include Gov. Mike Beebe, Sen. Blanche Lincoln, Sen. Mark Pryor, Con. Vic Snyder, County Judge Buddy Villines, Mayor Patrick Hays and Mayor Mark Stodola.  Also at this location, Boy Scouts will be offered the opportunity to earn two merit badges.
Over the past year, the news has been full of reports of ham radio operators providing critical communications during emergencies including severe weather and, most recently, the search and rescue efforts following the flooding disaster at the Albert Pike Campgrounds.  During Hurricane Katrina, Amateur Radio – often called “Ham Radio” – was often the ONLY way people could communicate, and hundreds of volunteer “hams” traveled south to save lives and property.  When severe weather is breaking out in the state, Amateur Radio operators are often the first to provide critical information.  

“We hope that people will come and see for themselves, this is not your grandfather’s radio anymore, “ said Joshua Carroll of the Arkansas Section of the American Radio Relay League.  “The communications systems that Hams can create in the field have saved lives when other systems weren’t available.  Most Amateur Radio operators constantly train to better their skills, and we’re very proud of the things they can accomplish.”

There will be several Field Day sites scattered around the state; a full list can be found online at http://ar.arrl.org/p/field-day.html.
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EDIT: As requested, here is the photo taken when Gov. Beebe presented the proclamation.


Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe presented leaders of the Arkansas Section, American Radio Relay League with a proclamation recognizing Ham Radio operators for their efforts in emergency communications and declaring June 20-26, 2010 as "Amateur Radio Week" in Arkansas.  Pictured from left are Preston Koeling, Bill Nicholson, Gov. Mike Beebe, J.M. Rowe, Joshua Carroll, and Stewart Nelson.

2 comments:

  1. Was their a picture of you guys with the Gov?

    ReplyDelete
  2. You're right John. I added it. Thanks for the reminder.

    ReplyDelete