Television Documentary Series About Amateur Radio

[W1ZY]

The Human Race is a television documentary series about Amateur Radio presently in development. It was endorsed in 1993 by the ARRL and numerous additional amateur radio societies.

Two amateurs are pitted against one another in a race around the planet. Neither is allowed to use any form of transportation other than those offered by amateurs met along the way. Both racers are equipped with "ComPacks"--belts worn around the waist containing highy specialied amateur radio communication devices.

One racer heads east and the other west, both being followed by conventional television production crews. The race concludes when the two racing ghams finally reencounter one another at some undertermined location roughly halfway around the world.

Along the way, both amateurs are required to visit and interview on television a number of "Ham Hosts." Each "Host" provides viewers of the documentary series insights about Amateur Radio. Such topics include the origins of amateur radio, technological development of its varied telecommunications systems, specialized amateur radio communication applications, handicapped amateur radio operators, stories of people becoming united by ham radio (e.g. spouses), communication with the ISS and Space Shuttle, etc.

The film proposes to juxtapose back and forth between the adventures of each ham within a parallel edit, teaching the general viewer about amateur radio against the backdrop of the race itself.

The Race will be monitored from a centralized command and control position. At this juncture W1AF--the Harvard University Amateur Radio Society--appears to be the spot for the construction of such a "Mission Control."

At this juncture the producer of The Human Race would like to initiate a discussion with radio amateurs regarding the many facets of this undertaking. Specifically, there is a need for amateurs to design the ComPacks to be worn by both racers, as well as to design a web-based means (e.g. website) for amateurs to organize into several "workling groups" to complete various design requisites.

A web site has been temporarily posted at the URL provided above. This website is by no means completed, but is under construction. The producer is engaged in its construction and is obviously not a professioal web designer. Please bear with us as we establish a presence on the web within the amateur radio community. We seek assistance from amateurs who would like to contribute creative ideas about what this series should include, as well as how to construct the global tracking and logistical system used during the production phase.

[KQ6XA]

HFpack, the HF Portable Group may be an interesting resource for them.
For more information:
HFpack (http://www.hfpack.com)
http://www.hfpack.com

[n3znu]

A reality show about Hams,hummm. #Can't we just forget the "reality" race and do a show about Amateur radio. #BTW,do they have to eat worms?
73
John

[W1ZY]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Thank you, Fred, and all others at QRZ.com for allowing us to post information about The Human Race on your fine website! I have received several emails and am responding to them at this time. Again, the website URL for The Human Race is:

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~bdesj/index.html

One needs QuickTime in order to view the movies and pictures that have been incorporated within this site. There is little or no content in it at this time. It is merely a shell in which the links and graphics are presently being worked out. There's some "dummy" slugs of text posted for technical reasons. In a few dys, the site will be outfitted with its preliminary content. Until then, you are free to QSY to it in order to see what we're doing.

I have read the suggestions posted on QRZ.com regarding possible resources, as well as a nice email from Bill, WA6ITF--an experienced LA-based producer of amateur radio videotapes. These generous suggestions are quite valuable and are being pursued at this time. I am delighted to have received them and reiterate my thanks to those who provided them. That's what ham radio--and The Human Race--is all about! TU

A few years ago, an attempt to launch this project was undertaken before the advent of the Internet! It was a different world back then. We were using manual typewriters and snail mail! Despite these limitations, it worked! Every, single Amateur Radio society which was solicted for an endorsement immediately sent back a letter supporting the project, such as the Amateur Societies in Spain, New Zealand and Japan. We're batting 1000 in this regard.

Such endorsements form one of several principal cores of support of great use when soliciting private foundations and corporations to underwrite the expedition via a non-profit 501 © 3, such as The ARRL or The Boston Film/Video Foundation. We are presently amassing a corpus of hundreds of letters of endorsement from all Amateur Radio societies throughout the world. These can then be used during the next phase, namely securing underwriters. This also clearly establishes valuable contacts in various countries of critical import during pre-production and production stages.

I's like to thanks Tom O'Hara, W6ORG, of PC Electronics for his contribution of ATV equipment to the project.

I noted I can post a graphic with these postings. So, I am sending one which we've developed for the website. We tried to reduce it's file size (~50 Kb) to accomodate our frends at QRZ.com.

Thanks again everybody,

Bill Desjardins, W1ZY
[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

[W1ZY]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (n3znu @ Feb. 11 2002,06:14)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">A reality show about Hams,hummm. #Can't we just forget the "reality" race and do a show about Amateur radio. #BTW,do they have to eat worms?
73
John[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">There have been comparisons to the "reality" television series which, until recently, were quite popular with general television audiences. The Human Race was conceived prior to the advent of such "reality" television programs and does not desire or intend to be one.

Such programs as "Survivor" and "Tempation Island" cater to themes apparently for the purpose of garnering a maximized audience. This, in turn, maximizes advertising revenues for the broadcast networks which, in turn, maximizes profits. These shows have no relation to The Human Race insofar as The Human Race does not cater to similar themes. The only thing The Project has in common with such "reality" programs is the element of competition--pitting two people against one another in a race around the world.

Other than this, that's about it as far as comparisons are concerned.

We chose a race between two hams because it lends a cinematic structure to a television documentary treatment of Amateur Radio slated for a general audience. The purpose of the series is to promote Amateur Radio to the general population--and on a global scale--by familiarizing general viewers with the many, varied facets of Amateur Radio. To keep their interest, as well as to display some of the fascinating things Amateur Radio does, we opted to tell the story of Amateur Radio against the backdrop of the adventure of a race around the planet.

This was not undertaken as if a "gimick" for yet another amateur radio promotional/educational videotape. The race aspect was incorporated because it provides a cinematic structure helpful to the presentation of Amateur Radio to a general viewing audience. The "race" component of the series shows viewers an exciting application of Amateur Radio in terms that they can understand and appreciate. This component, in turn, is interwoven with more conventional segments about Amateur Radio--similar to what one would find in a documentary about it or in one of the many, fine promotional videotapes.

We want the general viewer--who may have no awareness of, or interest in, Amateur Radio--to "get into" the adventurous aspect of the series and by so doing understand what Amateur Radio is all about. To understand that "hams" are not merely old guys who string wires between trees and send Morse code to each other over crackly shortwave frequencies. The purpose is to revamp the public's perception of Amateur Radio and to bring that perception into the 21st century.

We are not proposing a "reality" television series using ham radio. We are positing that a race around the planet--no matter who attempts it--is of interest to general viewers and thus if attempted via Amateur Radio will create a television series which will widen the general public's awareness of Amateur Radio.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

[N5TIF]

Hi There

Have the 2 hams been picked that are to go around the world, and when does production start? When should it end? And has a route been pick, with what countrys will that include? And i will like to see more about this please give us up dates.

[VK6EN]

EAT WORMS http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif hell hams chew the tops off 807's with their teeth, make harmonics, pound brass and fart photons ! I would like to see the camera crew holding the ends on an 80m inverted Vee when they key down the IC-706 !! esp. that guy that runs survivor http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif he he

[W1ZY]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (n5tif @ Feb. 14 2002,02:39)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Hi There

#Have the 2 hams been picked that are to go around the world, and when does production start? #When should it end? #And has a route been pick, with what countrys will that include? #And i will like to see more about this please give us up dates.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"> #Have the 2 hams been picked that are to go around the world, and when does production start? #When should it end? #And has a route been pick, with what countrys will that include? #And i will like to see more about this please give us up dates.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Excellent questions, N5TIF #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif !

One ham has been picked, the other has not.

Pre-production is estimated to take a year, followed by six-months for production.

The starting line is in the middle of the United States. The race progresses in a East-West trajectory and concludes when both racers physically re-encounter one another at some point located roughly half-way around the world. We don't know where exactly that will be. Hopefully in some exciting spot--probably Siberia.

Any country can be visited--it depends on parameters which will become apparent during pre-production. It should be mentioned that in both the preproduciton and production stages, there is ample opportunity for hams to become involved. We'll need electrical engineers, web designers, computer experts, graphic designers, media/PR specialists, carpenters, attorneys, pilots--let alone hams who volunteer to host and transport the racers.

All of this is presently being prepared for incorporation on our websiteThe Human Race (http://www.home.earthlink.net/~bdesj/index.html)

Thank you very much for the poignant and intelligent inquiries, N5TIF! We are preparing to post a detailed explanation on the websitte at this time. QRX/QSY.

Best regards,

[W1ZY]

Here's another graphic...

[W1ZY]

Dear Bill,
Thank you for your message. It looks as though you have been to
our website, and you will have seen how thin on the ground we are here. I
will pass your condolences to Tony Britchford's (5Z4FZ) family.
I shall be very pleased to give what help we can offer, but we are
limited! And ARSK will be glad to endorse the program. I shall be putting
this out on our bulletin today at 0600Z - 5 minutes time, for information of
all our members and listeners here. I tried to get into your website but no
success - will try later with a shorter address to work from.
73, Ted 5Z4NU
ARSK Nairobi

[seakayak]

You better ask yourself if you REALLY want this to happen. How do
you propose to make this interesting to the general public? Is it
your intention to show to old crusty hams talking on 75 meters,
drinking coffee and cussing! Please get REAL with reality. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[W1ZY]

Thank you seakayak for your comments.

Hams in Space
Amongst the hams to be featured in The Human Race include those presently aboard the International Space Station. We will shoot television footage of the racers communicating with the ISS and intercut this with footage of ISS crew members speaking to the racers. NASA just wrote and explained that MiniDV consumer cameras are now aboard Space Station and available for use by ham radio crew members to self-document themselves speaking to hams on the ground below. We're terrifically excited by this. I think viewers will find this fascinating! Here's a quote from NASA we got yesterday:

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">There is no question that the amateur radio activities onboard Shuttle and
Station have been a great tool for making a link with the public. #Many
people around the world (and in orbit around it) have enjoyed those special
contacts. Astronauts are free to videotape themselves as they engage in ham
contacts. #The cameras are already there.

Steven Nesbett
March 3, 2002
(JSC-AP121) (NASA)[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>


High Altitude Weather Balloons & ATV
Another example of the type of operation we will feature are the hams who feed live television pictures from high-altitude weather balloons via ATV. This is one particular application of Amateur Radio that I persnally find quite exciting and I look forward to meeting the hams who are doing it.

You'll note how the mode of communications--i.e. Amateur television--lends itself perfectly for inclusion within a television documentary. General viewers will likely be fascinated with homemade television images procured by such an innovative use of Amateur Radio. Have you ever seen any of these pictures, seakyak?

Love at First Dot
Another example lies in a more human interest genre, namely ham radio romances. We're delighted with the prospect of telling the stories people who have ended up married after first meeting on the amateur airwaves.

Handicapped Hams: A New Vista
Another along the same line are amateurs who are sight or hearing impaired whose worlds are expanded through their participation in Amateur Radio. Specifically, this topic promises to underscore the fundamental tenet of the documentary, namely that hams are not prejudiced against other people--including prejudice based on a person's inability to see or hear.

EME
Another example is, of course, hams who communicate by bouncing signals off the moon. I think general viewers are going to find this really neato!

The Internet Radio Linking Project: irlp.net
The hams behind the Internet Radio Linking Project are also on out list. These guys and gals are engaged in what the general viewer would likely term "convergence" insofar as the IRLP are connecting local repeaters throughout the world via the Internet.These folks deserve a medal. We plan to make extensive use of the IRLP as a means of keeping in touch with both racers, as well as to enable the Amateur Radio global community to monitor real-time communications between them and the central coordinating facilty here in Boston/Cambridge.

Friends Who Never Met
One last example is hams who have longstanding friendships transcending decades who, nonetheless, not only do not know what the other looks like, but have never heard the other person's voice. Obviously, I'm referring to code ops. I think the general pubic will find that more than mildly intriguing. Afterall, how many viewers can attest to having old friends whom they've never seen, let alone whose voice they've never heard.

I hope these few examples broaden your horizons about ham radio beyond 75 meters.

[W1ZY]

Seakayak's comments are based on the perception of Amateur Radio as "...old crusty hams talking on 75 meters,
drinking coffee and cussing." An important point is raised when he asks, "How do you propose to make (Amateur Radio) interesting to the general public?"

Agreed, the general public knows little about Amateur Radio. Those who don't immediately lump it together with "CB" think of it in terms of emergency communications. The prevailing view is that of an antiquated form of inconsequential communication between "crusty" people.

The subtext is "old-fashioned and boring."

The average man on the street who knows next to nothing about Amateur Radio expresses even less interest in learning about it. However, this same person likely uses telecommunication systems every day and in a manner similar to that found at the core of Amateur Radio. #

The past ten years have brought an exponential increase in the use of telecommunications in everyday life. Whether at work or at home, non-hams are "tuned-in" to one or another type of telecommuication environment: pagers clipped on belts, cell phones glued to the ear, palmtops in hand, laptops in laps, digital video and still cameras held up to eyes, mp3 players & walkmans crimped to the head.

And that's just when non-hams are in transit. When they get to the office, or return home from the office, the networking continues: music and movies are downloaded; emails are sent with jpegs attached; friends are instant messaged; items are bought, sold traded; bills are paid; checking accounts checked and groceries are delivered to the front door.

This explosion of telecommunity amongst non-hams turbocharged stock markets during the dot.com decade. The world was wired in the 1990s and afforded non-hams access to telecommunications capabilities previously reserved to Amateur Radio operators.

Yet, the general public remains ignorant about Amateur Radio even though they have never before acted more like hams. And they don't even realize it.

As the non-ham public familiarizes itself with telecommunication environments, it enters into use-patterns and communities previously evidenced in generations of hams. As the general public further embraces the digital telecommunications revolution, the original mystique of ham radio diminishes.

For example:

Ten years ago hams parked on 20 meters passing jpegs on slow-scan held more intrigue to the general public than they do today since the average person can much more easily email these jpegs--and its a lot faster than slow-scan. From this perspective, ham radio is old-fashioned.

The general public asks:

Why tap out Morse code when you got AOL Instant Messaging?

Why stack monobanders at 110' when you got "PC-to-PC phone"?

ATV? We got a DSL webcam on-line.

Autopatch? Wanna borrow my cell phone?

Packet Radio? We got a cable modem.

Ten years ago, [I]The Human Race[I] was perceived as of marginal interest to the general public because ham radio was considered marginal. It was considered a speciality documentary about communication hobbyists.

This was back in the days when cell phones were in suitcases and fax machines ate thermal paper.

Today, the reaction is the opposite. Ham radio is old fashioned when compared to the telecommunication capabilities at the fingertips of the average person.

From this perspective, ham radio operators no longer occupy the front seats of the Telecommunications Express. In fact, they're not even in the back seat because they missed the train and have been left behind alngside the tracks "drinking coffee" and "cussing" on 75 meters.

Ten years ago, the general public viewed ham radio operators as obsessed with telecommunications. Today, ham radio operators are crusty old men. Behind the times. Obsolete. Old-fashioned technology. Museum pieces.

The telecommunications capabilities accessed by the general public have exceeded their wildest imaginations of ten years ago. The furture appears to promise more of this. As this occurs, the average person has more in common with amateur radio today than they did ten years ago. Yet, the general public still fails to realize how their heavy use of telecommunications is predated by its use for generations in amateur radio ranks. Today, the general public has a lot more in common with ham radio than was true in the past. If they looked into ham radio, they would likely see something resembling themselves reflected back.

The continued expansion of telecommunications to the general end-user increases the consumer market for wireless internet access. This raises the value of Amateur Radio frequencies eternally eyes by vested commercial interests.

Remember 220?

It was reallocated for commercial use.

The more the public perceives Amateur Radio as "old-fashioned," the more likely they will agree that Amateur Radio frequency allocations would be better used for such purposes as wireless internet access.

Increased public use of the Internet will likely increase public support for an expansion of wireless acess through reallocations of the public radio frequency spectrum.

It is important to reshape the perception of ham radio by a web-savvy public.