- Jul 16, 2001
- 17,962
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==>AMATEUR RADIO AWARENESS DAY TO FEATURE EMERGENCY POWER OPERATING EVENT
What makes Amateur Radio unique is its ability to communicate with one
another anywhere in the world--and even in orbit--without having to rely on
any outside infrastructure whatsoever. Hams can even do this without being
plugged into the wall socket. Experienced radio amateurs take this
capability for granted, but the general public is far less aware of it. So,
an Emergency Power Operating Event (EPOE) on Amateur Radio Awareness Day,
Saturday, September 17, will highlight Amateur Radio's ability to
communicate worldwide without commercial mains, the Internet or a cellular
telephone system.
"What better way to mark Amateur Radio Awareness Day than by calling
attention to this unique capability?" says ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ. "It
is particularly appropriate since September is the Department of Homeland
Security's National Preparedness Month."
Amateur Radio Awareness Day activities typically focus on increasing public
awareness. Past events have included public demonstrations, talks to
community groups and getting local media coverage. According to DHS,
National Preparedness Month is aimed at encouraging Americans to prepare for
emergencies and to raise public awareness about the importance of being
prepared.
This Amateur Radio Awareness Day, September 17, the ARRL will sponsor a
15-hour Emergency Power Operating Event for stations operating off the grid.
"It is not a contest," Sumner stresses. "It is simply a demonstration of
what we amateurs can do without having to rely on the commercial mains, and
what we will do whenever the need arises."
An announcement in September QST (page 49) spells out the details. The event
kicks off at 1300 UTC on Saturday, September 17, and wraps up at 0400 UTC on
September 18. The ARRL is inviting home stations to operate from generator
or battery power. Mobiles and portable stations also are welcome to
participate, although unlike Field Day, the emphasis is not on setting up a
temporary station, but rather on operating your regular station on emergency
power.
There is no set exchange; contacts may be casual, but operators are
encouraged to share information on their emergency power sources in addition
to the traditional signal report, name and location.
ARRL Maxim Memorial Station W1AW will be on the air for the event, running
on emergency power from its 60-kW emergency backup diesel generator. W1AW
Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, says the whole point is to showcase that
Amateur Radio is prepared during National Preparedness Month--"and any time,
for that matter," he adds. A special QSL will be available to stations
contacting W1AW while running from an emergency power source. Include a
self-addressed, stamped envelope with all QSL card requests, and indicate on
your card the emergency power source used. (Address cards to W1AW, 225 Main
St, Newington, CT 06111.)
"I hope we can work stations operating on emergency power in all 50 states,"
says Sumner. "It should be a lot of fun, and we may even learn something!"
The League is encouraging participating radio amateurs or groups to invite
local Citizen Corps leaders to see Amateur Radio installations in emergency
power mode.
"The two events offer great opportunities for Amateur Radio to showcase its
valued service to the nation," said outgoing ARRL Field and Educational
Services Manager Rosalie White, K1STO. She urged ARRL-affiliated clubs and
Field Organization volunteers to take advantage of the occasion to set up
public demonstrations of Amateur Radio and to present or even
demonstrate--under the banner of National Preparedness Month--the free
services Amateur Radio provides to the community.
ARRL Club/Mentoring Program Manager Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, believes a public
Emergency Power Operating Event offers a great opportunity to recruit
prospective hams for licensing classes clubs that may be forming this fall.
What makes Amateur Radio unique is its ability to communicate with one
another anywhere in the world--and even in orbit--without having to rely on
any outside infrastructure whatsoever. Hams can even do this without being
plugged into the wall socket. Experienced radio amateurs take this
capability for granted, but the general public is far less aware of it. So,
an Emergency Power Operating Event (EPOE) on Amateur Radio Awareness Day,
Saturday, September 17, will highlight Amateur Radio's ability to
communicate worldwide without commercial mains, the Internet or a cellular
telephone system.
"What better way to mark Amateur Radio Awareness Day than by calling
attention to this unique capability?" says ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ. "It
is particularly appropriate since September is the Department of Homeland
Security's National Preparedness Month."
Amateur Radio Awareness Day activities typically focus on increasing public
awareness. Past events have included public demonstrations, talks to
community groups and getting local media coverage. According to DHS,
National Preparedness Month is aimed at encouraging Americans to prepare for
emergencies and to raise public awareness about the importance of being
prepared.
This Amateur Radio Awareness Day, September 17, the ARRL will sponsor a
15-hour Emergency Power Operating Event for stations operating off the grid.
"It is not a contest," Sumner stresses. "It is simply a demonstration of
what we amateurs can do without having to rely on the commercial mains, and
what we will do whenever the need arises."
An announcement in September QST (page 49) spells out the details. The event
kicks off at 1300 UTC on Saturday, September 17, and wraps up at 0400 UTC on
September 18. The ARRL is inviting home stations to operate from generator
or battery power. Mobiles and portable stations also are welcome to
participate, although unlike Field Day, the emphasis is not on setting up a
temporary station, but rather on operating your regular station on emergency
power.
There is no set exchange; contacts may be casual, but operators are
encouraged to share information on their emergency power sources in addition
to the traditional signal report, name and location.
ARRL Maxim Memorial Station W1AW will be on the air for the event, running
on emergency power from its 60-kW emergency backup diesel generator. W1AW
Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, says the whole point is to showcase that
Amateur Radio is prepared during National Preparedness Month--"and any time,
for that matter," he adds. A special QSL will be available to stations
contacting W1AW while running from an emergency power source. Include a
self-addressed, stamped envelope with all QSL card requests, and indicate on
your card the emergency power source used. (Address cards to W1AW, 225 Main
St, Newington, CT 06111.)
"I hope we can work stations operating on emergency power in all 50 states,"
says Sumner. "It should be a lot of fun, and we may even learn something!"
The League is encouraging participating radio amateurs or groups to invite
local Citizen Corps leaders to see Amateur Radio installations in emergency
power mode.
"The two events offer great opportunities for Amateur Radio to showcase its
valued service to the nation," said outgoing ARRL Field and Educational
Services Manager Rosalie White, K1STO. She urged ARRL-affiliated clubs and
Field Organization volunteers to take advantage of the occasion to set up
public demonstrations of Amateur Radio and to present or even
demonstrate--under the banner of National Preparedness Month--the free
services Amateur Radio provides to the community.
ARRL Club/Mentoring Program Manager Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, believes a public
Emergency Power Operating Event offers a great opportunity to recruit
prospective hams for licensing classes clubs that may be forming this fall.
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