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 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 Ammateur 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.”
