Our national day of amateur radio promotion

Tune-In To The World - amateur radio gets people talking, the WIA National Field Day on Sunday the 17th of April as a bold outreaching initiative to show the public the educational, recreational and social activity now enjoyed by three million people worldwide. Over 25 clubs and groups of three have already registered on-line to run field stations. It's not too late for others to join. Check out the event rules and scoring available on the WIA website.

Undoubtedly amateur radio has kept up with technology while also preserving its heritage, traditions and culture. It truly offers an enormous amount of opportunity for anyone wanting to learn and do new things or for pure personal achievement, like no other activity.

Clearly recognised is that in Australia very few people have heard of amateur radio. Most don?t know that it exists, some have an outdated view about it. Others believe it died out with the internet, the mobile phone, the convergence of the two and all that has put unprecedented communication capabilities within easy reach. The Foundation Licence became the new entry point for those wanting to get into amateur radio. The primary aim behind these somewhat overdue changes in 2005 was to make amateur radio much more attractive and to a wider range of people. Without a concerted public relations effort now involving many radio amateurs, we are only just scratching at the surface of the potential for new recruits into the hobby.

Challenges to be met
On Sunday 17th of April, radio amateurs will be setting up in public places, parks, shopping centres, halls, markets or festivals. Most will need to seek permission to do so and when required have appropriate public liability insurance. The display will demonstrate the usefulness of amateur radio and its role in emergency preparedness, it may also incorporate renewal energy such as solar or a wind power generator.

The portable station must look neat and tidy, attention being paid to power and antenna cabling, and free of trip or other perceived hazards. Position the equipment so that it?s easily seen and visitors can get an instant idea
of what is happening. This is an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of our hobby to inform the public about it, and take every opportunity to encourage visitors to the display to give it a try by talking on the radio.

Extremely important is to have at least one radio amateur who is available to greet and talk to visitors, engaging them in what it's all about, rather than them just looking and walking off.

Have fun and enjoy your hobby, but do remember that on this occasion it is all about promoting amateur radio. Think of visitors to the display need for information, talk to them in plain language about what you do, rather than speak in jargon and acronyms. Ask questions about themselves, and from their replies you will learn of their existing interests or activities, which could help reinforce that amateur radio is something they could easily do.

Suggested display options
The centre-piece is the distinctive logo that is simple yet gives a powerful message, branding is an essential tool in the exercise. The logo appears on artwork for a banner and A-frame, the artwork can be downloaded from the WIA website, copy it to your memory stick and take it to Officeworks store who have affordable services for printing your banner and signage.

The logo branded range of clothing range - hoodies, T-shirts and Polos blue in colour are available in all sizes Small, Medium, Large, XL, 2XL and 3XL. These are available for order from the WIA website. Order your merchandise today and be ready for the event.

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