Rick Bressler [of the Greater Bridgeport (CT) ARC] has spoken to people in 310 countries since 2007, though “spoken to” is not the phrase he would use. Bressler would say he’s contacted, or “worked” operators in 301 countries. [Full story]
Public Relations
Maine Joint Resolution S.P. 1008 for World Amateur Radio Day April 18, 2024
From The Maine Telegraph, May 24, Issue 44:
Simon Golob, N1URA; Bill Mann, W1KX; Michelle Mann, WM1C; and Cory Golob, KU1U, were present at the Maine Senate for Joint Resolution S.P. 1008 which recognizes World Amateur Radio day and thanks Amateur Radio operators in Maine for their dedication and service to communications.
A special thanks go to Phil Duggan, N1EP, for organizing the event.
Maine 131 - SP 1008 item 1
Governor Chris Sununu Issues Proclamation Designating June as “Amateur Radio Month” in New Hampshire
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***********************
For further information contact NH ARRL Section Public Information Coordinator Skip Camejo
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Governor Chris Sununu issues proclamation designating June as “Amateur Radio Month” in New Hampshire
In public recognition of the valuable service that amateur radio operators provide to their communities at no cost, Governor Chris Sununu issued a formal proclamation designating June as “Amateur Radio Month” in New Hampshire.
Amateur radio operators, also known as ham radio operators, offer their services to their communities in time of emergency to assist local, state and federal public safety agencies in providing auxiliary communication capabilities to allow regular public safety communication systems to concentrate on the emergency. In particular, NH-ARES (New Hampshire Amateur Radio Emergency Service) has groups and members situated throughout the state to provide assistance as needed. ARES is an emergency communication organization sponsored by the ARRL (American Radio Relay League), the leading non-governmental amateur radio organization in the United States. In addition to ARES, the ARRL sponsors the NTS (National Traffic System) which routinely transmits message traffic by radiogram, similar to telegrams, throughout the country. In the event of an emergency the NTS would be available to provide long distance communication capabilities to responding agencies as well as health and welfare messages to or from the disaster area to family members outside the area when conventional communication systems are not functioning. To practice their radio communication skills, amateur radio operators participate in an annual event called Field Day. This event is held every June and involves operators setting up their radios in sometimes remote locations to practice and train for emergency communication. Many local amateur radio clubs set up public demonstrations and encourage members of the public to try their hand at amateur radio. This year Field Day will be held the weekend of June 22 and 23rd.
In addition to emergency communication capabilities, amateur radio operators routinely assist their communities by providing communication services at events such as marathons, bicycle races, canoe races and other similar events. Most recently NH-ARES responded to northern New Hampshire for the solar eclipse to provide communication assistance to the American Red Cross in the areas of Coos County with limited or no cellular service.
END
Additional information regarding ARES and NTS: https://www.arrl.org/nts https://www.arrl.org/ares
Copy of the Governor’s proclamation attached as a PDF.
Raul “Skip” Camejo – AC1LC
Public Information Coordinator
ARRL New Hampshire Section
Public Information Officer
New Hampshire ARES
PO Box 206
Ashland, NH 03217
603-707-9848ac1lc@outlook.com
ac1lc@arrl.net
Wireless Society of Southern Maine Participation in 2nd Annual Touch-a-Truck Event, April 21, 2024
From the WSSM Facebook page:
The Wireless Society of Southern Maine participated in the Cumberland County Regional Communications 2nd annual Touch-A-Truck on April 21, 2024 from 10 AM until 2 PM. The group reported, “It was a good crowd despite some rain.”
HamSCI Invites Amateur Participation in Solar Eclipse, April 8, 2024
Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) is inviting ham radio operators to make radio contacts during the total solar eclipse, probing the Earth’s upper atmosphere known as the ionosphere. The HamSCI Festivals of Eclipse Ionospheric Science will occur on April 8, 2024 during a North American solar eclipse.
To learn how you can participate, visit: https://science.nasa.gov/
Vermont ARRL Field Organization Signs MOU With American Red Cross
Vermont Section Manager Paul Gayet, AA1SU, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the American Red Cross.
According to Paul, “We are just the second state in the union to do so.”
The document is endorsed with the signatures of Vermont’s Section Manager and the American Red Cross Regional Disaster Officer for Vermont.
Ham Radio Featured on the “Today Show”
Sierra Harrop, W5DX:
“We expect that a segment featuring the Harbor Creek High School [Erie, PA] ARISS contact will air on 1/5/24. I was in touch with the producer yesterday to provide some additional footage. A teaser for the segment led the 8 AM rejoin of this morning’s broadcast.”
Bill Morine, N2COP, Vice Director, Roanoke Division:
“An outstanding story. [NBC Today Show host ]Harry Smith captured the palpable thrill in the room. A brilliant piece of PR for Amateur Radio. Congratulations and appreciation for all who contributed to make this story happen.”
Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R:
“The ARISS team does a whole lot to ready these schools and support their contacts. What was particularly exciting about this school was that their teacher was a graduate of the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology.
As you may know, Steve Goodgame (K5ATA) attended the contact last month, and even dressed the students in ARRL sweatshirts for their NBC Today show interviews.
Sierra Harrop (W5DX) reported that likely 2.576 million people saw it air live on TV this morning (that’s the typical Today show audience size). She also shared these additional notes:
- The students were all licensed radio amateurs and ran their own equipment.
- They used ARRL materials to study for their tests.
- They took their tests through an ARRL VE session.
- They were wearing ARRL-branded shirts.
- They had moral support on site from Steve Goodgame, K5ATA.
- ARRL social media and public relations supported the ARISS contact.
- The whole reason the school even got involved in ham radio is because their faculty advisor came through the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology.
Here’s the link to the clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2s_C4o7dfk
WCAX: Made in Vermont: W1SFR
Steve Goldsmith, W1HS, writes on the Twin State RC and Connecticut Valley FM Association mailing lists:
Nice story about a local ham . . . and a great gift idea for the holidays . . . i.e., show it to your family and hope they get the hint and buy you one. -)
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SUDBURY, Vt. (WCAX) – Steve Roberts spends a lot of time messing with metal, making Morse code keys.
“HAM radio is a very tight community really, and you have friends like all over the world, people you’ve never met,” said Roberts, whose call letters are W1SFR.
His side hustle is key for the community, and it’s not something you accidentally start doing. Roberts’ journey into dots and dashes began in Vietnam.
[Full story]
Meriden ARC/Wallingford ARG “Santa” QRV for North Pole Contacts, December 9, 2023
Meriden (CT) Amateur Radio Club writes on Facebook:
Come see Santa and talk to the North Pole with ham radio!
Santa will be onsite at the Yalesville Fire House at 143 Hope Hill Road between 10 AM-1 PM. Crafts and activities for the kids and a goodie bag and certificate from Santa (while supplies last).
Please bring a nonperishable food donation for Masters Manna.
WWLP 22 News: “HCRA Celebrates 75 Years with Picnic on Saturday”
AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) — “Radio Lovers came together for the 75th anniversary of the Hampden County Radio Association with a picnic at the School Street Park in Agawam Saturday afternoon.
“People were encouraged to bring their radios, antennas, and power sources to ‘Tune the World’. This gave amateur radio operators a chance to receive their license to transmit on HAM radios. There was a demonstration provided on how to use their portable radios as well. By the end of the classes, people were able to make unofficial contact with emergency services.” [Full story]