[South Florida DX Association] From ARRL Section Manager: Sharon T. Brower, W4STB

[Bill Marx]

 You won't receive the section news summary for a few weeks so I'm taking
> this opportunity to send a few comments and reminders to you.
> 
> We have a new feature at www.sflarrl.org that our webmaster, Evelyn
> W4WYR has been having fun with.  Each month (usually changing around the
> 15th) we have a survey of section members.  The current questions are
> about retaining the CW requirement.  You need to give your e-mail, name,
> etc but don't worry.  We won't sell the info and we won't build an
> address book and send Spam.
> 
> There are 2 hamfests later this month that I will be attending: in
> Titusville, sponsored by North Brevard ARC and in Okeechobee, sponsored
> by Okeechobee ARC.  Links for details about both hamfests are at
> www.arrl.org/sections/SFL.html.  Stop at the ARRL table at both hamfests
> and say hello to me and other section volunteers.
> 
> Speaking of volunteers.  There are many opportunities to volunteer and
> help ARRL.  Check the Volunteer link at www.sflarrl.org for the job
> descriptions.  Yes, there's time and effort involved -- the appointment
> is not wallpaper for your shack.  The rewards are smiles and thank you
> and the personal feel good of helping others.  
> 
> I've received several requests asking me to assist with permits for
> towers.  I'm happy to send you information via e-mail about PRB-1 and
> the state laws.  I also have information that will help if you need to
> talk to local governing bodies about changing the regulations.  I have
> no idea what the zoning regulations are in areas where I do not live. 
> Each county and municipality is different.  To complicate matters
> there's the added rules of homeowners associations and deed
> restrictions.  The best place to start is the building department of the
> county or municipality where you'll find out about height, placement,
> and number of towers allowed.  The deed restrictions are on file at the
> courthouse or county administration offices.  Ask questions at your
> local club, on ARES nets, etc.  Don't rely only on your fellow hams. 
> Rules change -- visit the government office.
> 
> Below is another installment of Every Ham is a PIO.  Remember, if you
> are speaking to a reporter during an emergency or a public service
> event, talk about radio and what you are doing for the event. 
> Statements about damage, injuries, etc need to come from the event
> coordinator or the ICS commander.   
> 
> Monitor local repeaters.  The snobirds are returning from the nawth. 
> Welcome your fellow hams as new or returning friends.  Invite them to a
> club meeting or event.  Be available to give directions to visitors.
> Actually this is good advice year round.
> 
> 73,  Good Health, Good DX, and Many Multipliers.
> Sherri, W4STB
> 
> _________________________________
> 
> Every Ham is a PIO
> Hints for Interviews -- Part One
> 
> 
> Keep these five thoughts in your mind whenever you speak about Amateur
> Radio:  Amateur Radio is not for everyone.  People are curious about
> Amateur Radio.  Most people have heard of ham radio.  Ham radio is
> simple.  Ham radio is complex.
> 
> I purposely use both the terms Amateur and ham radio.  Both terms are
> widely used but your audience may not be familiar with both terms.  Use
> both terms when you speak.  Early in your interview, whether it be
> one-on-one with a friend or reporter or on a radio or TV talk show or
> speaking before a group, say --Amateur Radio, most folks know it as ham
> radio--- or a similar phase that you are comfortable with.
> 
> Next, explain we have an FCC license that we took an examination/test to
> obtain.  Add that our purpose is to provide emergency communications. 
> Mention that many hams have helped develop new communications
> technology, we use computers and radio together and we have fun.  That
> wasn't so hard, was it?  You now have added to their curiosity and told
> them that ham radio is both simple and complex.  For additional
> information that you can use to explain ham radio go to:
> http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/ham-radio.htm or
> http://www.arrl.org/hamradio.html 
> 
> Talk in layman's terms.   Don't speak Geek. Give the reporter literature
> and information on how to contact you. Avoid one-word answers and stick
> to the subject.  If you don't know the answer, say so and refer the
> question to another Amateur or offer to research the subject and reply
> later.  When expressing an opinion say --In my personal opinion--.  If
> you give credit give the credit to all involved.   Avoid all criticism.
> 
> 
> Fax or mail TV and Radio interviewers background information and
> questions you would like to be asked.  Remember they are curious but
> uninformed and you need to inform the interviewer as well as your
> audience.  Take copies of the information that you faxed or e-mailed to
> the interview -- things get misplaced and duplicate copies on hand
> insures that you'll be represented the way YOU intended. Additionally,
> it's a good idea to be able to verbally recite your pitch in 10, 20 and
> 30 second versions (the elevator speech) for those hosts and producers
> who are too frantic to focus on a piece of paper.  For TV wear solid
> color clothing, no white shirts or blouses and no shiny jewelry. 
> 
> ---We are our own worst publicists. We have a good product, a wonderful
> hobby, we do wonderful things, and we go home and don't tell anybody. 
> We have to sell the good product. -- Jim Haynie, W5JBP, ARRL President
> at 2001 Dayton Hamvention
> 
> I'm repeating part of Jim Haynie's message because I can't say it
> better.  If you've ever heard Jim speak you'll hear that first sentence
> somewhere in his presentation.  It's one of the sound bites he uses.  In
> a future article we'll talk about sound bites, the elevator speech, and
> the message.  For more information on interviews visit
> http://www.arrl.org/pio/handbook/chap8.html 
> 
> Relax. Smile. And remember to include magic, emergency assistance,
> history, technology discoveries, and love of Amateur Radio whenever you
> speak.  
> 
> 73, de Sherri, W4STB
> 
> Note:  If you reprint the article for a newsletter add the quotes as
> appropriate.  This e-mail server does not allow quotation marks.
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> ARRL Southern Florida Section
> Section Manager: Sharon T. Brower, W4STB
> w4stb@arrl.org