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Newington, CT. March 22, 2007 -- The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), and its member societies representing over 150 countries around the world, will celebrate World Amateur Radio Day on April 18, 2007. The theme for this year's celebration is "Amateur Radio: Allowing youth to connect the world."
Despite the Internet and cellular phone, Amateur Radio continues to attract people world-wide by providing free international communications and friendships. Because it does not need pre-established supporting infrastructure, Amateur Radio (often called "Ham Radio") reaches into every corner of the world - and into space too.
With the help of Amateur Radio clubs and ham radio operators, space shuttle astronauts and crewmembers of the International Space Station have been speaking to youth around the world over the ham airwaves while in orbit. They are talking directly with schools, showing teachers, students, parents and communities how Amateur Radio energizes youngsters about science, technology, and learning. The program is called ARISS, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, and is an opportunity for students to experience the excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly about science, technology, and learning. Speaking to the ISS crewmembers is a unique educational experience. Hundreds of Amateur Radio operators, including those from NASA Amateur Radio clubs at Johnson Space Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, and Marshall Space Flight Center, work behind the scenes to make these educational experiences possible. Recently, a Wisconsin teacher tuned to the ISS frequency. His students were excited to hear Astronaut Suni Williams, KD5PLB, talking to another school. One comment about traveling "over 17,000 mph" in the ISS really got the kids. The teacher reported, "The class made a collective `Ohhhhh' sound... That's interested students!"
Similar youth programs are available through Scouting as each year more than many thousands of Scouts "get together" over the airwaves for their Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA). Modern radio technology offers Scouts the exciting opportunity to make friends in other countries without leaving home.
JOTA is an annual event in which Boy and Girl Scouts and Guides from all over the world speak to each other by means of Amateur Radio. Scouting experiences are exchanged and ideas are shared via radio waves. Since 1958 when the first Jamboree-on-the-Air was held, millions of Scouts have met each other through this event. Many contacts made during JOTA have resulted in pen pals and links between Scout troops that have lasted many years. The radio stations are operated by licensed ham radio operators. Many Scouts and leaders hold licenses and have their own stations, but the majority participate in JOTA through volunteering stations operated by local radio clubs and individual radio amateurs.
Calling "CQ" on the Amateur shortwave bands can result in a contact with other Amateurs across town or far across the oceans. While Hams have repeatedly been in the news for their life-saving communications services in disasters, a large part of their activities remains the excitement and joy of contacting distant and remote areas of the world, learning directly about each others' regions and lives and trying different ways to make radio contacts around the world. It is through this enjoyable radio hobby activity that the Hams learn the skills which, in other situations, have earned them world praise for their responses in emergencies. In addition, leading electrical engineers are able to draw from their practical, hands-on experiences gained as Amateur Radio Operators while they develop the inventions that are today's necessities.
A special, international World Amateur Radio Day Award is issued by the MK QTC, Polish Radio Amateurs' Journal, with support of PZK, Polish Amateur Radio Union based in Tolkmicko, Poland. Recognizing and encouraging international conversations over radio on April 18, the award is available for Amateur Radio operators who are successful in making multiple contacts.
Since 1925, the IARU has been instrumental in coordinating and representing Amateur Radio to the world. For information about the International Amateur Radio Union please see: www.IARU.org
For further information, contact
Allen Pitts, W1AGP
Media & PR Manager
ARRL
860 594-0328
apitts@arrl.org
The Radio Amateurs' Journal MK QTC
Suchacz-Zamek - Wielmozy 5b
82-340 Tolkmicko, Poland
