[Fists] ARRL: Hams say "Hello"

[nancy at tir.com]

Check this out if you haven't already.

This looks like another nail in the coffin for the technical service, ham radio as we knew it, and a big push toward making Ham radio a generic radio hobby.  

According to the ARRL web site mentioned below, Hams don't say CQ or Fine Business or Thanks for the call, (on "voice"), Hams say "Hello". I don't listen to much "voice" radio but the only place I've heard "Hello" on the air is on CB, as in "Hello, good buddy".

At least they do mention that some hams LIKE to use Morse code, and they do have audio of what "hello" sounds like in Morse code. 

Of course, Amateur Radio could use some PR, but it's a very poor choice of focus or maybe just badly executed. It blends us in with citizens band and family radio service. I hope it was unintentional, but I don't think the ARRL does anything unintentionally.

When I read that press release and the web page I got a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Am I over-reacting?  If you must flame me, please do it off the reflector at nancy at tir.com. 

73
Nancy

www dot hello-radio dot org (the reflector doesn't allow posts with html) 

Press release from ARRL:
The first components of the ARRL's "Hello" Amateur Radio public relations
 campaign now are available. "This campaign will give hams the tools they
 need to reach out in their communities to non-hams and influence their
 perception of Amateur Radio," says ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager
 Allen Pitts, W1AGP, who conceived the campaign and is its principal
 Headquarters contact. The "Hello" campaign is aimed at recasting Amateur
 Radio in the light of the 21st century and focusing on its universal
appeal. At the same time, it will mark the 100th anniversary of what many
historians consider the first voice radio broadcast in 1906 by Reginald Fessenden.

 "For years, ARRL public information officers (PIOs) and others interested
in promoting Amateur Radio have been looking for leadership and a rallying
 point from which we can join together in a major promotion for ham radio,"
 Pitts said. This is it! Tools include a distinctive "Hello" Web site { www dot hello-radio dot org }and radio and TV public service announcements.

 Based on the word "Hello," which Pitts calls "possibly the most pleasant
 word in any language," the coordinated campaign will set "a positive,
upbeat tone that highlights the international capabilities of Amateur Radio," he
 explained. The "Hello" Web site is designed for non-hams to learn a little
 bit about Amateur Radio and to arouse more interest. The site points
 prospective Amateur Radio licensees to groups that have indicated they
will provide a warm welcome to newcomers. The national "Hello" campaign can
bring curious people into contact with ham radio groups, but it will be up to
 local radio amateurs to make them truly welcome, Pitts maintains.

 "The key to creating a new ham operator is to develop a relationship with
a current ham operator," says Pitts. Behind the effort is "an army of
 dedicated, truly motivated PIOs and others who want to see ham radio
 flourish."

 A series of 30-second radio public service announcements (PSAs)
 has been developed for the "Hello"
 campaign. "You can help by downloading the PSAs from the ARRL Web site
onto a CD and taking it to your own local radio station," Pitts suggests.

 A broadcast-quality video for the "Hello" campaign will be available in
 April.

 Copies of the special four-page "Hello" brochure
 are available  from ARRL Headquarters for use during presentations to non-ham groups.
(Full details on the "Hello" campaign plus a pull-out copy of the brochure are
 available in the April issue of QST.) The brochures are suitable for talks
 to schools, clubs, displays and other venues promoting Amateur Radio to
the public. There is a space on the back page to add local club info.

 "For 100 years, the magic of the human voice over radio has brought
 imaginations to life. It opened a whole new era of human communication,"
the brochure declares, urging, "It's your world. Get on the radio and say
 "Hello."

 To obtain copies, e-mail the "Hello" campaign.  Donations
 are welcome (make checks out to "ARRL") to help cover return postage to
 ARRL, Public Relations, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.

 "Hello" logo bumper stickers will be on sale through the ARRL on-line
 catalog. Buttons for the "Hello" campaign will be available at Dayton Hamvention and at other major Amateur
 Radio events. Banners for the "Hello" campaign will be flying at Dayton
 Hamvention and at the National Association of Broadcasters convention in
 April. After that, they will be made available for use at major events in
 2006.

 "ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, was correct in stating that the Main
 Street of today is not the same as the Main Street of yesteryear," Pitts
 says. "To reach out today, the very first requirement is that Amateur
Radio operators be perceived as friendly and trustworthy. That's a true public
 relations goal and the primary focus of the campaign."