ARRL North Texas Section Affiliated Clubs Band Together To Showcase Amateur Radio
The ARRL NTX Section and several ARRL affiliated clubs in the Dallas/Fort Worth area joined together for the promotion of Amateur Radio at the recent NBC5 Technology & Lifestyles Expo. The free two-day event, open to the general pubic, was held at the Dallas Market Hall and drew crowds hungry for the latest gadgets and hi-tech services.
Among the displays that included consumer electronics, computers, video games and family entertainment attractions was a large display of Amateur Radio equipment and information. The 30x30 booth was one of the largest on the show floor and drew the attention of many interested visitors. Those curious about the interesting equipment on display in the ARRL NTX Section booth were greeted by a number of Hams who were more than happy to explain the many facets of our hobby.
A large assortment of printed information was handed out in an effort to educate and inform the public on the many educational, public service and social aspects of Amateur Radio. Demonstrations were provided using several live operating stations which included the following:
A vintage AM station sponsored by QCWA Chapter 207 An APRS station with mapping software sponsored by the Plano Amateur Radio Klub (PARK) Various radios installed inside the Dallas ARC mobile communications van which was the centerpiece of the booth A VHF/UHF station demonstrating local repeater capability and radio linking via the Internet using IRLP and Echolink sponsored by the Texas Repeater System A multi-band station sponsored by the Irving ARC set up to promote the National Traffic System and run special editions of the DFW local NTS net.
Visitors to the booth included the curious who knew nothing about Amateur Radio, potential new Hams interested in information on how to get licensed, inactive Hams that wanted to check out the latest amateur radio developments and active Hams stopping by in support of this major PR event. The volunteers working the booth did an awesome job of promoting Amateur Radio. They all had an upbeat attitude and really helped to make the event fun, exciting and informative for the visitors.
Those visitors who were interested in getting their ticket were offered a chance to win one of several copies of the Technician Class license study guide, "Now You're Talking", which were provided by the ARRL NTX Section. And those booth volunteers representing clubs in the area of interested visitors offered invitations to club meetings and classes.
Doug Kilgore, KD5OUG, presented a program on the Hams involvement in the Columbia shuttle recovery efforts in East Texas. This turned out to be one of the most popular programs presented at the Expo.
Feedback received from the organizers of the NBC5 Tech Expo was very positive and it is highly likely that we will be invited back next year. They were very impressed with the quality of the information, equipment and layout of the booth as well as the volunteers manning it.
The success of this PR event can be attributed to the hard work of all the volunteers. This included members of a number of ARRL affiliated clubs and members of the ARRL NTX Section administration. Participating clubs included the Dallas Amateur Radio Club, Garland Amateur Radio Club, Irving Amateur Radio Club, North East Tarrant Amateur Radio Club, Plano Amateur Radio Klub, the Richardson Wireless Klub and the Texas Repeater System. NTX Section officials participating were PIC Jim Pope, N5JCP, ASM Glen Warnstaff, K5CPD, ACC Mark Harper, KD5TAO, TC Chris Hudgins, N5IUF and SM Roy Rabey, AD5KZ.
We'll be looking forward to another chance to promote Amateur Radio to the general public at next year's NBC5 Technology & Lifestyles Expo.
You can get more information about the NBC5 Technology and Lifestyles Expo on the Internet at the following web site address. http://www.nbc5i.com/techexpo/
