IN THIS EDITION:

"Hello"

That's possibly the most pleasant word in any language.

BACKGROUND

Several trends and expectations are converging to position the ARRL in a unique position to have a more effective impact on not only how Amateur Radio is perceived by others, but also to effectively encourage more people to investigate Amateur Radio as a pleasant hobby. Among these are:

The expected restructure of licensing by the FCC which will eliminate the perception of a "code barrier" for entry level people. Hopefully also include entry HF opportunities.

2006 is the 100^th anniversary of voice over the air. This can (and should) be promoted by hams everywhere and also involve the National Association of Broadcasters. In addition, it opens up possibilities for special TV and radio shows.

Recognition that, despite Internet and other technologies, the possibility of talking to common folks in foreign, exotic places coupled with the surprise, art and uncertainty of DX work, remains a major reason for new people to have interest in ham radio which cannot be matched by Internet.

On a psychological basis, there is a satisfaction with direct voice communication that cannot be exchanged in type.

THE IDEA

Develop a coordinated campaign, involving several areas of the ARRL plus others, in a campaign for 2006 based on the word "Hello" and having a positive, upbeat tone which highlights the international capabilities of Amateur Radio.

(Think of the old Coca-Cola "teach the world to sing" commercials with their happy, positive people.)

This is expected to include (but is not limited to):

• Development of a graphic to be used consistently in 2006
• Development of 30 second PSAs (video and audio)
• Development of a longer video to be used for meetings, presentations, and talks -and which can be broadcast freely.
• Coordination with other organizations, including manufacturers of equipment, other magazines, advertisers and associations
• Promotion of the campaign through contact with the NAB / RTNDA
• Use of the campaign in marketing
• Special operating events
• Development of additional activities which can be done on a local basis
• Creation of a unique and simple website center providing very basic info and referring on to service clubs or mentoring programs
• Initial publication of a 4 page brochure linking Amateur Radio and the centennial

and providing the non-ham with basic info about Amateur Radio. A larger one will be released later.

WHO

The concept and research has been "in the works" for many months and the campaign was approved in the January Board of Directors meeting. While the planning was delayed by a boisterous lady named Katrina, it is back on track and being implemented. The ARRL's PR Committee is enthusiastic and heavily involved. Managers at ARRL HQ are working together to make it all happen in 2006. It is, simply, the largest PR campaign that ham radio has ever attempted.

WHY

President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, was very correct in stating that the Main Street of today is not the same as the Main Street of yesteryear. To reach out today, the very first requirement is that the group be perceived as friendly and trustworthy. That's a true PR goal and the prime focus of the campaign. Simply lamenting the loss of past decades in which our numbers increased effortlessly is not going to help. Only our combined, effective action will do that. This campaign gives hams the tools they need to reach out in their communities to the NON-hams and influence the perception of Amateur Radio.

WHEN

The campaign will begin in April 2006 and elements will be added as things go along. It is planned to climax with the centennial of the very first radio broadcast. While Reginald Fessenden did his 1906 broadcast on Christmas Eve, we will be targeting the week in between Christmas and New Year which is normally a "dead" news period and media are looking for something to report. We will provide them plenty!

WHERE

This will be a national campaign. But it will take the efforts of PIO's, clubs and groups everywhere to succeed. The campaign can bring curious people into contact with ham groups, but it will be up to the local people to make them truly welcome. In addition, we have already gotten inquiries from several international Amateur Radio groups who desire to use edited forms of our materials in their own countries.

We all say we want to make a change for the better for Amateur Radio and get others interested. This is the time, this is the chance. Stay tuned... More to come!

ARRL Names Florida TV Producer the Leonard Award Winner

Lozada says she wants to share credit with videographers Jeremy Nicholson and Robert Makovicka and editor Sean Hickey. In addition, she said, WPBT's vice president of creative services Jeff Huff, K3JMH, "was very supportive and helpful with my work on that story."

The Leonard Award goes annually to a media professional or group who does the best job during the previous calendar year of covering Amateur Radio in print, photo essay, audio or video formats. As 2005 winner, Lozada will receive a $500 check and an engraved plaque.

The award honors the late Bill Leonard, a former president of CBS News and an avid Amateur Radio operator who was most active on the air during the 1960s and 1970s. In 1958, Leonard's contribution to Sports Illustrated, "The Battle of the Hams," covered the "sport" of DX contesting. Leonard was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 1996.

Lozada will receive the award February 4 during a presentation at the 11th annual Amateur Radio Hurricane Conference at the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Lozada's video production can be found on the New Florida Television News Magazine web site.

Need for confirmation of information:

On Dec. 26 the Sacramento Bee reported on a high school student's tale of the federal government's questioning of him because he asked for a copy of Mao Tse-Tung's "Little Red Book" through the library loan program. He was writing for a paper on communism.

The editor ranted, "As headlines focus on warrantless wiretaps and 'cruel, inhuman and degrading' techniques for interrogating detainees, other events affecting Americans' civil liberties occur with little notice."

Well, it seems the student was lying about his encounter with federal agents. It never happened. To make matters worse, another local paper had published an article showing this was a total hoax earlier that week.

Another example is more recent, the report that 12 miners had survived the coal fire that trapped them under in a West Virginia mine was quickly told and retold nationally by many reporters. It too was false.

"The media doesn't need any apologists, and that's not the aim here," commented CBS on their gross errors. "But to say that the massive failing here rests on the shoulders of the media alone is almost as misleading as the information that was spread between midnight and 3:00am this morning."

What does this mean for PIOs? In reporters' rush to get out the story, it's your job to be timely but correct, not first but incorrect. It is perfectly acceptable to say the following:

"I don't know. Let me check on that and I will call you by ____."

In the pressure of an interview, when your head is going a mile-a-minute, it is easy to get caught up and say something which sounds right, but is not. Slow down. Your value as a source of good, solid, correct information will lead to many more press contacts faster than any "seat of the pants" response.

Pitching Technical Topics -- a tip from the Pro's