ARRL Introduces "Fifth Pillar" at Dayton Hamvention®
On Saturday, May 17 at the Dayton Hamvention, ARRL President Joel Harrison,
W5ZN, plans to announce that the League will expand its identity program to
include greater emphasis on technology. Harrison explained that "Ham radio
operators, and particularly ARRL members, closely identify with current and
emerging radio technology. Today, we are naming 'technology' as ARRL's new
fifth pillar." ARRL's other four pillars, the underpinnings of the
organization, are Public Service, Advocacy, Education and Membership. "For
hams, expanding the four pillars to include technology will reinforce one of
the organization's guiding principles -- that ham radio is state-of-the-art,
innovative and relevant," he said.
"Radio amateurs have entered a new era. More than a dozen Amateur Radio
satellites are presently in orbit with more to come. Software is expanding the
capabilities of their radio hardware and communication by digital voice and
data is expanding rapidly among hams," Harrison said.
In addition to the new fifth pillar, the ARRL has launched a year-long ham
radio recruitment campaign emphasizing the Amateur Radio Service as a
scientific national resource. The campaign invites newcomers to discover ham
radio in the 21st Century -- where hams are using science, technology and
experimentation to explore the radio spectrum. "For more than 90 years, the
ARRL has been at the forefront of technology, encouraging experimentation and
education through its license training resources, publications and periodicals.
ARRL provides its members with top-notch technical information services,
trusted product reviews and radio spectrum advocacy," Harrison said. "The ARRL
Laboratory is a centerpiece of ham radio technology, contributing to radio
electronics experimentation, spectrum development and advocacy, and radio
frequency engineering."
Harrison also noted that many hams attribute their affinity to "Amateur" Radio
as launching their professional careers in radio engineering, satellite
communications, computer science and wireless communications.
"This is less about defining a new course for Amateur Radio, but simply
recognizing a course that has always been a precept of radio amateurs and the
ARRL," he said. Referring to the federal rules and regulations for Amateur
Radio, Harrison explained that one of the defining principles of the Service's
very creation by the government is the amateur's proven ability to contribute
to the advancement of the radio art. Harrison remarked, "Today's technology is
nothing new to ham radio!"
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