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NEWINGTON, Conn., May 17, 2008 -- ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio, announced today that it will expand its identity program to include greater emphasis on technology with a “fifth pillar”. The announcement was made by ARRL President Joel Harrison during Dayton Hamvention®, held in Montgomery County, Ohio. The event is the largest annual gathering of radio amateurs in the US.
Harrison explained that “ham” radio operators, and particularly ARRL members, closely identify with current and emerging radio technology. Today, we are naming ‘technology’ as ARRL’s new fifth pillar.” ARRL’s other four pillars, the underpinnings of the organization, are public service, advocacy, education and membership. “For hams, expanding the four pillars to include technology will reinforce one of the organization’s guiding principles—that ham radio is state-of-the-art, innovative and relevant,” he said.
“Radio amateurs have entered a new era. More than a dozen Amateur Radio satellites are presently in orbit with more to come. Software is expanding the capabilities of their radio hardware. And, communication by digital voice and data is expanding rapidly among hams,” Harrison said.
In addition to the fifth pillar announcement, ARRL has launched a year-long ham radio recruitment campaign that emphasizes the radio service as a scientific national resource. The campaign invites newcomers to discover ham radio in the 21st Century—where hams are using science, technology and experimentation to explore the radio spectrum. “For over 90 years, ARRL has been at the forefront of technology, encouraging experimentation and education through its license training resources, publications and periodicals. ARRL provides its members with top-notch technical information services, trusted product reviews and radio spectrum advocacy,” Harrison said.
The ARRL Laboratory at the organization’s headquarters in Newington, Connecticut is a centerpiece of ham radio technology—contributing to radio electronics experimentation, spectrum development and advocacy, and radio frequency engineering.
Harrison also noted that many hams attribute their affinity to “amateur” radio as launching their professional careers in radio engineering, satellite communications, computer science and wireless communications.
“This is less about defining a new course for Amateur Radio, but simply recognizing a course that has always been a precept of radio amateurs and ARRL,” he said. Referring to the federal rules and regulations for Amateur Radio, Harrison explained that one of the defining principles of the service’s very creation by the government is the amateur’s proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art. Harrison remarked, “Today’s technology is nothing new to ham radio!”
Today there are nearly 654,000 Amateur Radio operators in the United States and approximately 2.5 million worldwide. Information on how to become involved in Amateur Radio is available from ARRL--the national association for Amateur Radio, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111 or by calling 1-800-32-NEW HAM. Visit ARRL on the Web at www.arrl.org. The ARRL has more than 153,000 members.
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Allen Pitts, W1AGP
Media and Public Relations Manager
(860) 594-0328
apitts@arrl.org
