[ARRL-OK] FIELD DAY - PRESS RELEASE

[Mark D. Conklin N7XYO]

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 23, 2003

Contact : Mark D. Conklin
918-232-8346 or 1-888-597-1492 digital pager

OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR HENRY
PROCLAIMS JUNE 22 - 29, 2003
"AMATEUR RADIO WEEK"

Tulsa, OK -- The ARRL - the national association for amateur radio, and all
Oklahoma amateur radio operators who are dedicated to public service - were
recognized this week for their service to their communities. The
proclamation from Oklahoma's Governor Brad Henry proclaimed June 22 -29,
2003, as Amateur Radio Week. Governor Henry recognized amateur radio
operators' "value in public assistance by providing emergency radio
communications and for these services they donate to the state."
The highlight of amateur radio week will be "Field Day" (an emergency
communications preparedness exercise), which take place June 28-29 in
locations all over the state (and thought out the nation). To find your
local Amateur Radio club, go to www.arrl.org click on the link to clubs and
locate local clubs by state or zip code. There are 17 ARRL-affiliated clubs
in Oklahoma; most will be holding Field Day activities.

Field Day is an annual nationwide event that was designed to test operators'
abilities to set up and operate portable stations under emergency
conditions, such as the loss of electricity, during severe weather
conditions, or other disasters. The event is a serious test of skill and a
contest for fun, too. During the weekend, the radio operators try to contact
as many other Field Day stations as possible. More than 35,000 Amateur Radio
operators across the country participated in last year's event. The first
Field Day was held in 1933.

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AMATEUR RADIO - FIELD DAY - PAGE 2

"Amateur Radio is a lot of fun, but the serious side can't be stressed
enough," says John Thomason, WB5SYT (Oklahoma ARRL Section Manager) "We can
and do play a vital communications role during emergencies. Events such as
Field Day ensure that we're ready to handle any type of disaster or
emergency."  Ham radio operators typically help with communication during
weather-related emergencies such as the devastating tornadoes in the Midwest
earlier this spring. But, the need for their services doesn't stop there. A
federal grant awarded for emergency communications training in 2002
emphasizes support for ham radio's role in homeland defense.
.
Today there are more than 700,000 Amateur Radio operators in the United
States and more than 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.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Mark Conklin, N7XYO - Oklahoma Public Information Coordinator
Phone: 918-232-8346 or 1-888-597-1492 digital pager
E-mail: n7xyo@arrl.net

John Thomason, WB5SYT - Oklahoma Section Manager
Phone: 405-844-1800
E-mail: wb5yst@arrl.org


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