The AM Forum

Have you ever heard ham radio advertised on AM/FM or TV?  For the first time I did and was surprised.  Yesterday Liz and I were headed up to the Berkshires and we came across a radio station on 89.7 that played some great R&R. As we continued to drive through Pittsfield, MA and listening to this station a spot came on advertising ham radio.  I nearly went off the road doing a doubletake.  I don't believe 89.7 is a commercial radio station yet it sounded like one and I don't know what the call letters are but I was surprised to hear what I heard. Anyone hear ham radio advertised or know what this stations call is?  There was a plug toward the ARRL in the ad.

I've heard one recently. The ad was actually for batteries. The hook was about some club station in 4-land that was at the ready when the storms hit and the power goes out. Of course the FB Ever-ready or whatever the brand batteries makes it all happen.

Yah, I have heard one spot on late nite radio on WTIC (AM) that goes into the public service aspect of the hobby. It was pretty well done and appeared to be sponsored by the league. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I heard it.

Noncomercial stations can air public service annoucements, which is what you heard. Most are put out by the ARRL. I've known of two stations around here that did such a thing. WWCF in McConnellsburg on 88.7 used to run PSA's recorded by a ham from the area, it was his voice in the announcement. I never heard them but he said about it once. The other was WLTF 97.5 in Martinsburg, WV. There was a ham in that area who I talked to occassionly that was on there from 3 to 6 Sunday afternoons and they basically let him pick what would air so he would stick some of the ARRL's PSA's in during commercial breaks. He would usually have a HT in the studio with him talking to someone on one of the repeaters down there, and was talking to a guy one day and the guy he was talking to was also listening to the radio station so he played some of the PSA's for the guy he was talking to. I also was listening to their conversation and the station at the same time so I knew what was going on.
Shelby KB3OUK

I did a little search on the net.  The station is WTBR out of Pittsfield, MA.  Apparently it is a non-commercial station, high school station to be exact. Should have guessed considering the frequency. They play great R&R. Evidently this was a PSA sponsored by the ARRL.  It sounded like what Rob described.

From the ARRL Web Site:
AUDIO Public Service Announcements:

There are PSA’s for broadcast radio station play and more continually come out as volunteers help in their creation.  These mp3 files are easily downloaded (below) and can be taken to your local radio stations.  We have many audio PSA mp3 recordings available.

Lots more info here, plus a list of PSA's for distribution to radio stations.
http://www.arrl.org/pio/

ARRL Field Day was prominently featured in New York City’s Times Square many times over a three day period in June.

Thank you Pete,
I'll check out for the Promos for Ham radio and air them on my Flintstone show.

I listened to a couple of these and they are very well produced, and I'll definitely consider them.

Fred

Ya know ...

AM (broadcast) Radio is full of talkers.

So is AM among licensed radio hobbyists.

Maybe there should be an effort to record some hobby recruitment announcements to air on AM Talk Radio.


(huh-HA !)


http://www.hello-radio.org/

You might try this too:
http://www.hello-radio.org/hello/inc/files/ARRL208M.mp3

And, for some real cool audio and video ham radio insights, go here:
http://wedothatradio.wordpress.com/