Field Day Press Release in Pennsylvania

[KB3LIX]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Lauren Rooney
House Democratic Communications Office
Phone: 717-787-7895
Fax: 717-783-6839
Email: lrooney@pahouse.net State Rep. Tim Solobay
D-Washington
www.pahouse.com/solobay



Solobay honors Pa. ham operators
House adopts his resolution recognizing June 24-25
Amateur Radio Relay Field Day

HARRISBURG, June 19 – State Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Washington, is pleased to announce the House today unanimously adopted his resolution (H.R. 794) recognizing June 24-25 as “American Radio Relay League Field Day” in Pennsylvania.

“You would be hard pressed to find a group of people more dedicated to community service than local amateur radio operators, and it is my honor to bring recognition to the work they do,” Solobay said. “In the event of a disaster where normal communications are knocked out, communities across Washington County and the state know they can count on these radio operators to keep the lines of communication open.”

“Field Day” is an annual 24-hour emergency preparedness exercise that tests amateur radio operators’ abilities to set up and operate stations in the field under emergency conditions.

There are over 23,000 licensed amateur radio operators in Pennsylvania. During the exercise, they will try and contact as many other participating stations as possible, simulating the fast on-air skills needed to relay information to authorities in an emergency situation.

For more information about Pennsylvania amateur radio, contact the Washington County Amateur Radio Club at www.wacomarc.org or Solobay’s office in Canonsburg at 724-746-3762 or in Washington at 724-233-2114.


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[WA2ZDY]

Good thing they've decided to call it "Field Day" over in Pennsylvania. I wonder what they'll call it everywhere else. And to think, ARRL now officially exists in Pa . . .

Ok, all kidding aside, this is good for ham radio and we can use all the good press we can get. Hopefully a couple of state senators paid attention and will wonder more about this thing they call amateur radio.

Now to get the FD stories in the newspapers!

[K7JBQ]

Yeah, buddy.

Now, from the Great Moments in PR department, herewith the following from this morning's Orange County Register, regarding Field Day in Irvine, California (a story that, in its entirety, never mentions "Field Day" by name):

"(hams) will set up and operate a field command and communications center, and use the latest radio techniques, including wireless technology, to contact each other."

73,
Bill

[KB3LIX]

"Now to get the FD stories in the newspapers!"

That seems to be the hardest thing to do. The local newspapers could care less, but we are trying to get local attention. Maybe, just maybe, the fact that it was a PA House action, we can get some press coverage.

(Yes, I know, I have a better chance of picking 5 white ball numbers and one red ball number next Wednesday....Oh thats today)

From: I'm not holding my breath, Pennsylvania !

[n5gfx]

Quote[/b] ] and use the latest radio techniques, including wireless technology, to contact each other."

I'm glad they put an emphasis on that "wireless" part.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[KB3LIX]

Ed Rendell, the PA Goveror released a proclamation declaring June, Amateur Radio Month in Pennsylvania. I would post it too, but it is in a form that cannot be uploaded to this thread. (Photo)

We heard that the Pittsburgh newspaper, the Post-Gazette will be running an article on Amateur Radio, but it will not be until after Field Day. As I said before, I'm not holding my breath waiting for the PG.

I know what you are thinking.......

Whoop-dee-doo....Edith !

[ne3r]

Cool,

Our club's press release made the paper, as did my other club's hamfest.

The field day made the upcoming events section.

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/section....id=2980 (http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/calendar/display.htm?desc=true&event_id=2980)

[KB3LIX]

Update:

Our local PA Congressman, Tim Solobay, showed up at the Field Day site and made an official presentation of both the Governor's Proclamation and a copy of his resolution to the Pres of the club. There was a photographer there, but I do not know which newspaper (if it was a newspaper) he was employed by. The cameras he had told me he was NOT some local shutter bug, and he went around to everyone asking the proper spelling of their names ?
We shall see what gets printed/released.
I really hope they 'Lose' my picture.