Public Service Communications, Events, Races, Walks, 'Thons etc.,  
                  and HAM Public Relations and Public Information.
    
                                                              by Al Carp, K1HLZ
                                                                   ARRL EMA PIC
    
    
    Races, Walks, 'Thons and other events present  a  unique  setting  for  a 
    "captive" audience to become more aware of Amateur Radio. They  are  ideal
    for  attracting inquiries and  promoting interest in our hobby.  
    
    After  you  have committed to providing communications for an event, ask for 
    support  of your public information and public relations effort.  Most every 
    event sponsor is eager to help us promote ourselves at their events.  
    
    Ask  for  space  for  a  paragraph  on  Amateur Radio in the event brochure, 
    program  and  Press  Kit.  Sample "copy" appears at the end of this booklet. 
    Depending  on  the  event  and  the  circumstances  this can range from mere 
    acknowledgment  of  Amateur  Radio  Operators  to a brief description of our 
    hobby  and  contact  information  such  as the ARRL (for the prospective Ham 
    mailing and list of local clubs, classes and exam sessions and etc.).
    
    In  most  cases, it is better for the promotion of Amateur Radio to refer to 
    the  group "generically" as Amateur Radio Operators or Ham Radio rather than 
    using  your  club  or  group name (if you have one).  The idea is to get the 
    words  Amateur  Radio  or  Ham  Radio  in front of the public eye as much as 
    possible.   The  Wireless  Association  of  Greater  Norfolk County may be a 
    super club but the name doesn't convey Amateur Radio to the general public.
    
    Make  your  activity  and participants visible!  Position a Ham station in a 
    highly   visible   and   well   traveled  (with  regard  to  spectators  and 
    participants)  location.   The  Net  Control  station  (when feasible) or an 
    Information  station  with  a  LARGE  sign or banner displaying Ham Radio or 
    Amateur  Radio  is  a  good  attention getter.  You may find someone in your 
    area  or  club  who  has  one  to loan or who can generate one with computer 
    banner  or  sign  programs.   
  
    Ask  to  have  the  Public Address Announcer (or one of the Hams) make a few 
    announcements  regarding  Amateur  Radio.   Have "prepared" copy to be read, 
    thanking  the  Amateurs  for  their participation and inviting people to get 
    more  information about Ham Radio.  You or one of your crew can hand this to 
    the  Public Address Announcer directly.  The sample copy "fill-in-the-blank" 
    is in the Appendix.  
    
  
    Public Service and Event PR 
    page 2  
    
    
    Ask  for  space  on  the event information table or for your own info table.  
    Handouts  can include: Address of ARRL for prospective Ham mailing.  List of 
    local  Clubs or Ham classes, brochure describing our hobby and other items. 
    You may want to collect names and addresses of interested persons and forward 
    them to ARRL for the prospective Ham mailing (using sign-up slips and a "bucket" 
    or  other  methods).   A  sample  of such "sign-up" slip is in the Appendix. 
    Pads  of  slips  are  available  to groups in the Eastern Mass area from the 
    PIC.  
    
    Arrange  for  visible means of identifying each ham participant and station. 
    Signs  on  mobile  communications vehicles and caps with the words Ham Radio 
    on  them  are  excellent.   The  general public should be able to read these 
    from  a  distance. Buttons, ribbons, vests, arm-bands, sashes and badges are 
    also  good,  but  in  a  crowded  environment, baseball caps stand out well.  
    Some  event  sponsors  find  it  to their advantage to have the Hams easy to 
    locate  in  a crowd and may provide reimbursement for such items based on the 
    sponsors needs.  Ask them!   
    
    
    Do  arrange  for  a  press release of some sort to the local press and media 
    before  and  after the event.  Again, this is to get the words Amateur Radio 
    in  front  of  them.  Who knows, you may find that someone wants to get more 
    of the story on the Amateur Radio involvement at the event.  
    
    Technicalities!   See  the  discussion  in  the appendix regarding accepting 
    compensation for communications.