TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
ALL NON-WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED
WOOD COUNTY BULLETIN NR 14.25 DATE: June 22, 2014
SUBJECT: DEMONSTRATION OF AMATEUR RADIO
Is Amateur Radio a secret organization that should not be let out to the general public? I don't think so. Even since it's easier to get a license, most of the general public isn't going to just jump right in to Amateur Radio. However, as Amateur Radio operators, we won't be around forever, so where will the next generation of Amateur Radio operators come from?
To expose the public to Amateur Radio, demonstrations should be set up at activities where the general public can see what it is and what it can do. Set up demonstrations at Fairs and Festivals where a lot of people may be walking by. At least once a year try to set up a demonstration at a large shopping center. When setting up a demonstration use as many facets of Amateur Radio that you can such as Slow Scan and Fast Scan Television, CW stations, Packet stations on both High and VHF Frequencies, High Frequency Voice stations as well as Two Meter and UHF stations and any other forms of communications that you might think they would be interested in. Be sure to have lot of pictures and posters. If those who aren't aware of what Amateur Radio is or can do, they won't know what questions to ask, but if you have lots of posters explaining what it is, they may have some questions to ask. Don't talk technical or try to impress them on how much you know about Amateur Radio, just try to keep it simple. Have lots of handouts like what Amateur Radio they can do in times of emergencies and where they can get further information. Take the time to explain as much as you can so they might want to get involved.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
WCEC
Wood County WV