This entry was posted on 9/10/2011 10:32 AM and is filed under uncategorized.
Are you a licensed amateur ("ham") radio operator?
Are you a "roadgeek" or otherwise a roadtrip aficionado?
Do you have an appreciation and/or admiration for rest areas?
If you answered "Yes" to all of the above, then there's an organization that would likely be right up your alley... the Interstate Highway Rest Area Society (IHRAS)!!!
According to their official website, IHRAS "was started to promote mobile HF radio operations across the country" and offers ham radio operators the opportunity to operate a ham radio station at a rest area (cautioning that one should check state laws before doing so) or making contact with such a station via 2-way ham radio contact.
"Hams" can even earn awards for either operating their radios at rest areas or making radio contacts with other "hams". (See IHRAS website for rules and details.)
Some of my "ham" friends here in the Atlanta area have commented (in jest, of course) that you could get a "Worked All Crappers" award and that such an award would be one "s**tty certificate".
Seriously, I would really like to use this as an excuse to "roadtrip" and combine my love of radios, rest areas, and ROADS!!! It even has the potential to promote ham radio to the general public and work as a disaster preparedness exercise and encourage as many fellow "hams" and amateur radio clubs/organizations/societies to consider doing so. If you do have such plans to operate your ham station from a rest area, then please let me know by e-mailing steve at georgiaroadgeek dot com.
Speaking of disasters, tomorrow (September 11, 2011) will mark the tenth anniversary of the worst terrorist attack ever perpetrated on American soil. Thousands of innocent civilians, military, and public safety personnel needlessly lost their lives as a result of Al Qaeda's cowardly act, and I urge you to join me in remembering those people and the families that they left behind. While you're at it, never, ever take for granted your family and friends. I love them all and urge you to let yours know that you love them as well. The victims' families and friends will never be able to see or hear from them again, and you never know when (or how) you may leave this world. Please keep them all in your daily thoughts and prayers.
That's it for now. Whether you are a family member, friend, or a GRG reader, I appreciate you and pledge to never, ever take you for granted. Without you, I would not have an audience for my blog, videos, or the podcasts I've done in the past. Thanks for coming by and God bless you, yours, and America!!!
P.S. To learn more about amateur "ham" radio and how you can join in on the fun, visit the American Radio Relay League's official website at www.arrl.org.
Copyright 2007. Steve Williams. All rights reserved.
DISCLAIMER: "The Georgia Road Geek" is neither affiliated with, nor endorsed by, the State of Georgia, Georgia Department of Transportation, or any other federal, state, or local government agency.
