ARRL Seeks Growth, Leverages Internet For Communication

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL), founded in 1914 has recently grown to approximately 800,000 operators in the United States, and approximately 3 million world-wide, each licensed by their own government. However, not all are members of the ARRL.

Mr. Paul Hughes (W9CBJ), a volunteer with the ARRL began by stating that he has been involved with Amateur Radio since he was a child and was intrigued by the idea of being able to hear transmissions from New York, Texas, and Florida from his Chicago neighborhood during the night, but not so much during the day. In grade school, he learned more about radio, joined the military as a radioman, later joined the Coast Guard, and eventually the AARL in 2011. In his separate role as part of the Emergency Management Team in Wisconsin, he had the unique opportunity to be involved in Emergency/Disaster support revolving around radio communications until such time that the locality’s resources were up and running.

Mr. Hughes added that at KidVenture, much like the One Week (Sonex) Wonder, the kids are tasked with a hands-on activity of building a radio receiver, and upon completion, can listen to Oshkosh tower traffic (which gives them a sense of accomplishment), and as part of the deal, they also receive a copy of the “Ham Radio License Manual” so they can study for the test, which is open to all ages, and they can be one of the ‘cool’ kids to get their Amateur Radio license before their pilot or drivers license!

According to Mr. Bob Indenbitzer (NQ1R), ARRL’s mission is to advance the art, science, and enjoyment of amateur radio, and thanks to the relationship they have with NASA, commercial, and military entities, they can send up their own satellite (payload) alongside those launches, further expanding their reach. He added that they have been leveraging the power of the internet to listen to far-reaching communications. Another part of their mission is to increase the diversity of its membership through outreach and events like AirVenture 2022, while “growing a community of like-minded members”, including the clubs at academic institutions who may hopefully transition to careers in communication, engineering, and other related fields.

Most importantly, the ARRL’s role is to be stewards of radio communications.

Presently, the ARRL has a “show special” where, for $49 you receive a year of membership, a copy of the Ham Radio License Manual, access to mentors, ARRL magazines, and other resources. Alternatively, you can sign up for the newsletter at no cost or join ARRL’s 160,000 registered members. You can find them in hangar B booth 2152.

FMI: https://arrl.org