F  E  E  D  -  P  O  I  N  T

Summer finally arrived when temperatures soared to the 70's and 80's the first week of July. After two days of heat, our flower garden burst into bloom, and vegetable plants showed noticeable growth. On July 12th there was a zucchini blossom, but that same day I saw Fireweed in bloom. My immediate reaction to the sight of blooming Fireweed was, "Oh, no! Summer just arrived and already there is Fireweed. Summer is over!". Well, not quite, but it does signal that autumn is coming.

On the 12th I drove to Henry Nutting's in Perham for the AARA radio club picnic. There were two young foxes in the field below Henry's barn. I watched one stretch, roll, and look curiously at me with ears straight up. I actually got quite close to it. Later the other fox came and everyone was watching the twosome.

Dave Berry, KB1EBE, was at the picnic. He was interested in hearing that the slinky antenna that KB1OWW made from the slinkies Dave had donated to the Scotch Auction at the AARA spring social was getting good results. Dave had a new type of antenna he had put together. It had four radials and had a hanging loop at the top. He said it was for fox hunting but he uses it for his HT.

The July copy of QST has a descripton of the third PR campaign of the ARRL triology. The three campaign themes are Fellowship, Public Service, and Technology. The ARRL says that if non-hams are asked what it is about Amatuer Radio that interests people, the answers usually fall into one three categories.

1. The fun, friendship and hobby side

2. The emergency service side

3. The technology and creative side

"There's something about hams that makes them want to open the plastic box and see what's inside every gizmo they encounter. What makes it work? How can we make it better or even use it in a whole new way? It is this inquisitive and creative streak that is the third component in the ARRL Public Relations campaigns."

The new PR campaign was unwrapped at the Dayton Hamvention."The coordinated PR effort shows the world the technological activities and creative imaginations that Amatuer Radio's people love.

The campaign has several interlocking parts. There are Public Service Announcements for radio station airing found on the ARRL website. There is a new brochure available from http://www.arrl.org/brochures/

A new website has been created for this campaign. The website is http://www.wedothat-radio.org/ The website use newer technologies that allow easy topic additions and changes and even allows visitors to ask questions.

There are also a bunch of stickers available while the supply lasts.

There is a CD "Talk on a Disk", highlighting technology and coordinated with the brochures. It contains all the materials for a person to make a good Power Point presentation. It might be a good thing to do with scouts or school groups. Contact apitts@arrl.org if you want to do a presentation.