May 2014
May 2014
Vol 12 # 3
In this issue:
Dayton’s less than three weeks away, and ARRL PR will be there in full force! Be sure to stop by the ARRL Expo area and say hi to PR Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X and PR Committee member Jack Sovik, KB8WPZ. They’ll have time to discuss your PR strategies with you for your club, give you some promo posters for Field Day and have a couple showings of the ARRL Centennial DVD. Come and say hello; we look forward to seeing you!
If you didn’t see this piece on ARRL News about the storms throughout the Midwest and Southeast the last week of April, especially the efforts of ARES and SKYWARN teams in Mississippi and Arkansas, you should read it. Well done, all.
Also, Snohomish County, WA operators have finally stood down with their involvement in the Oso landslide. Lots of operators put in countless hours towards the effort. ARRL Western Washington Section Manager Monte Simpson, K2MLS, has a lot of praise for hams that volunteered.Thanks all for your service.
The deadline for McGan Award nominations is May 23! If you know of any amateur who has done an outstanding job promoting Amateur Radio to the non-ham community, tell us about it and give them some kudos. Act fast!
Social media is where PR and marketing are taking place these days, but it helps if you know what to avoid. The New York City Police Department recently found out this out the hard way.
We're always happy to receive links to Amateur Radio covered in the media, and keep them in the Media Hits library. Here's an article from the April 27 issue of American Profile magazine highlighting Brandon Byrd, KF5NYQ of Mississippi, as well as ARRL Oklahoma Section Manager Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW.
Another good story this month highlights SKYWARN efforts of the Flagler Emergency Communications Association of Jacksonville, Florida. Keep those cards and letters coming!
Field Day Preparations are Underway...Are Yours?
Yes, this is the second month in a row I’ve talked about Field Day. That’s because it’s the biggest event in the country where we can shine! Have you reached out to your local media? Your state representatives? Do you have all your promotional materials lined up? Don’t delay... start today! PR suggestions and sample press releases are available in the 2014 Field Day Packet.
Thinking outside of the box is always good. While most of us won’t have the kind of cash needed to execute these specific ideas from Designer Daily, perhaps they will inspire you to try something unique and different in your outreach efforts (or at least make you laugh).
We're starting to ramp up big-time for the summer events. Between conventions at Dayton, SEA-PAC, Plano, Huntsville and the Centennial Convention in Hartford, the summer is looking pretty busy! Throw in Field Day, hurricane and storm season, and that adds up to a lot going on this summer for Amateur Radio.
If you're planning on participating in any of these events, proper planning is definitely required. Have you done all your prep work to make sure you're ready for these events? Getting all your ducks in a row now before the events are underway will ensure better success when the time comes.
I'll be on the road attending Dayton, SEA-PAC and the Centennial Convention. I certainly hope that you get an opportunity to attend some of these events and say hello. 2014 is a BIG year for ARRL and Amateur Radio in general. While there are lots of events to prepare for and help beat the drum, make sure you take the time to have fun with the radio hobby as well. I'm looking forward to a backpack QRP adventure for Field Day this year. Working all of the W1AW portable operations is certainly keeping me busy this year as well. However you enjoy Amateur Radio, make sure you take the time to play, not just work.
Hope to work you on Field Day... I'll be the weak guy in the noise.
Thanks for all you do.
Until next month,
Sean Kutzko KX9X
Media and Public Relations Manager
About ARRL >> Media and Public Relations >> Contact Issues >> Contact 2014 >> May 2014
