World Amateur Radio Day

[Chris Gryffenberg (GMail)]

Dear Electrical Technology Teacher

Please receive the following news release regarding Amateur Radio

NEWS RELEASE from the South African Radio League

13 April 2009: For immediate release


Radio Amateurs Celebrate World Amateur Radio Day on 18 April

South Africa will celebrate World Amateur Radio day on Saturday 18
April as the world recognises the founding of the International
Amateur Radio Union on that day in 1925 in Paris. South Africa has
been part of the IARU since its inauguration date.
This years the theme of the event is Amateur Radio: Your Resource in
Disaster and Emergency Communication. While the Amateur Radio Service
has traditionally made its contributions to emergency and disaster
response ever since its very beginnings almost 100 years ago, this
role has gained a lot of importance just in the recent past. It has
done so mainly for two reasons:
* The number and dimension of natural as well as man-made disasters is
unfortunately on the increase, and
* The modern communication technologies are increasingly complex,
infrastructure-dependent and therefore also increasingly vulnerable.
The Amateur Radio Services puts two equally valuable assets at its
disposal for emergency and disaster prevention, preparedness and
response:
* A large number of very flexible and mostly infrastructure-
independent, local, national, regional and global networks, and
* A large number of skilled operators, who know how to communicate
with often very limited means and to establish communications even
under the most difficult circumstances.
The tools at their disposal range from the most robust means such as
battery-operated stations operating in Morse code to links through
amateur radio satellites and interconnectivity with the Internet, in
voice, text, image and data modes. They range from local VHF networks
of fixed, mobile and portable stations to shortwave networks that span
the globe. All these networks are operated on a daily basis by men and
women who are thoroughly familiar with their technology and their
intricacies.
Telecommunications have become a commodity that society takes for
granted, and the sudden loss of that service is often felt in a
similar way to the loss of shelter, food and medical support. When
disasters occur in regions that do not have good coverage by public
networks, or when existing communications infrastructures have just
been disrupted or destroyed by such events, the Amateur Radio Service
comes to the rescue. Amateur Radio operators provide communications
for the rescuers and relief workers and their organizations and they
help to provide communications for those affected by a disaster.
In fact, contributions to emergency and disaster relief are a major
argument for the preservation and the extension of the privileges the
Amateur Radio Service enjoys in international and national
regulations. This is one of the reasons why more and more Amateur
Radio operators, through their clubs and their national societies,
prepare very seriously for their role in emergencies. However, their
skills can be put to use only if they are known by other first
responders. Effective response to emergencies can only occur with the
work of volunteers in all the various fields; from search and rescue
to medical assistance and those who can provide food and shelter.
Communication skills are a new, but equally vital commodity.
In South Africa, the South African Radio League supports emergency
communication through one of its divisions called Hamnet, a group of
dedicated Radio Amateurs that are skilled and keep at the forefront by
regularly supporting sporting events with communication, assisting
organisers with communications to ensure events run efficiently and
safely. Radio Amateur will play an important role in the
Confederations Cup this year and the World Cup in 2010

JOIN THE SARL AT AN OPEN DAY EVENT ON 18 APRIL

Find out more about how to learn about communication technology and
have fun at the same time. The SARL National Amateur Radio Centre is
holding a fun day event on April 18 from 10:00 to 15:00. The centre is
situated at Octave Road at Radiokop, Roodepoort. Follow the Sentech
signs. Or visit the SARL web on www.sarl.org.za for details on how to
get there.

Activities include:

• Sending up a tethered balloon with Radio Transmitters
• Practical demonstrations on amateur radio. Get on the air and
experience the thrill of communicating across town, across the country
and across the world.
• Take part in a simulated emergency communication exercise

Bring the kids and show them how amateur radio can assist them in
choosing an exciting career in Electronics and Communication.

For more details about Amateur Radio and the April 18 event visit
www.sarl.org.za or call 011 675-2393