[FARC] from ARRL news letter

[Eric Gammeter]

==>PRESIDENT EXPRESSES APPRECIATION TO AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS

President George W. Bush has written the ARRL to recognize the just-ended
Hello Amateur Radio public relations campaign and to extend "greetings to
all those celebrating 100 years of voices over the airwaves." The president
said the centennial of Reginald Fessenden's landmark Christmas Eve 1906
voice broadcast "opened the door for technological advances" that improved
the lives of people around the world.

"I appreciate all who work in radio, and I am grateful to the Amateur Radio
operators who provide emergency communications that help make our country
safer and more secure," President Bush wrote. "Your good work strengthens
our society and represents the American spirit."

ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, conceived and
developed the Hello campaign. He says that while that initiative is formally
over, ARRL public information coordinators and officers will take advantage
in the new year of the momentum it generated.

"As we begin launching the new Emergency Communications campaign, the
friendships and goodwill developed in Hello will aid in future promotions of
Amateur Radio," Pitts commented. "For 100 years, radio in its many forms has
saved lives and aided in crises. We have a great legacy and a bright
future."

The grand finale of the Hello campaign December 29-30 involved special event
operations from W1AW (see The ARRL Letter, Vol 26, No 02, Jan 12, 2007), W1F
at Brant Rock, Massachusetts (see below), and GB1FVT in Scotland.

The theme of the ARRL's 2007 public relations initiative is "Ham Radio . . .
Getting the Message Through for your Family and Community." It will focus on
Amateur Radio's capability to provide reliable emergency communication when
traditional systems fail or become overloaded.