Emergency Power Operating Event

To mark Amateur Radio Awareness Day, the ARRL is sponsoring an Emergency Power Operating Event (EPOE) to highlight Amateur Radio's ability to communicate worldwide without commercial mains, the Internet or a cellular telephone system.

The EPOE is especially pertinent in light of Amateur Radio's response in the Hurricane Katrina disaster. The EPOE also dovetails with the Department of Homeland Security's designation of September as National Preparedness Month.

The 15-hour EPOE is not a contest but a demonstration of what Amateur Radio can do without having to rely on the commercial mains, and what Amateur Radio does whenever the need arises.

An announcement in September QST (page 49) spells out the details. The event kicks off at 1300 UTC on Saturday, September 17, and wraps up at 0400 UTC on September 18.

The ARRL invites home stations to operate from generator or battery power or other emergency power source. Portable and mobile stations also may participate.

ARRL Maxim Memorial Station W1AW will be on the air for the event, running from its 60-kW emergency backup diesel generator.

A special QSL will be available to stations contacting W1AW while running from an emergency power source during the EPOE. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with all QSL card requests, and indicate on your card the emergency power source used.

(Address cards to:
W1AW,
225 Main St,
Newington,
CT 06111

Source: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The American Radio Relay League

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