 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||
|
|
For Immediate Release
Allen Pitts, W1AGP
Media and PR Manager
ARRL
apitts@arrl.org
(860) 594-0328
Dayton, OH May 18 2006 --In 1906 Reginald Fessenden accomplished the first voice radio broadcast. This historic accomplishment caused thousands of inquisitive hobbyists to join the ranks of those experimenting with this new fangled technology. They were, and are still, called "amateur" radio operators -- or "hams." While commercial broadcasting didn't begin for another 14 years, it was the amateurs who labored in attics, barns, garages and cellars to perfect what we now call Radio. Amateur Radio operators continue to be at the forefront, developing technologies years in advance of when they are rolled out to the public. FM, television, mobile telephones, VoIP technologies, fax machines -These were all used by amateur radio operators years ahead of the public. This year, hams celebrate this 100 year tradition and also look at all the new technologies that hams are exploring.
ARRL President Joel Harrison stated, "The centennial of the human voice over the air shows the dedication of amateur radio operators over the past century. ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio, is proud to represent the American ham radio legions of well over half a million trained communications volunteers. These same hams were recently praised by both Congress and the White House for their life-saving services in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. As the Amateur Radio Service enters the 21st century with innovations in communications technologies and vigilance in providing emergency communications, we want to thank the public. We appreciate their continuing support in protecting the frequencies we use, permitting antennas in neighborhoods for operators who just might save them and their loved ones in an emergency, and prohibiting poorly designed Broadband over Power Line systems which fill the airwaves with harmful interference and destroy our abilities to respond in a crisis."
Ham operators say Hello to the world in many languages and many ways. But whether they prefer Morse code on an old brass telegraph key, voice communication on a hand-held radio or computerized messages transmitted through satellites, they all have an interest in what's happening in the world and they use radio technologies to reach out. AM, FM, TV and digital modes -hams use them all to open the doors to new worldwide relationships with people they come to call friends.
For more information, see www.Hello-Radio.org
