WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida, is featured in a 60 second radio spot for Duracell batteries. The commercial, which begins airing this month, highlights the efforts of an all-volunteer army of ham radio operators for WX4NHC. Narrated by actor Jeff Bridges, it describes the important role that radio amateurs play during severe weather conditions -- enabling communications with emergency medical teams, police and fire departments -- when the power goes out. The narration underscores the importance of a reliable battery to power the portable ham radios, which are crucial to WX4NHC's work.

"This commercial is being played nationally during hurricane season and will help promote awareness of Amateur Radio and the public service we do to provide emergency communications, especially during and after hurricanes, when we have experienced complete electrical and conventional communications blackouts for periods of days and weeks," WX4NHC Assistant Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R, told the ARRL.

Ripoll said that he and WX4NHC Amateur Radio Coordinator John McHugh, K4AG, worked with the ACME Marketing Firm and Duracell for several weeks to help produce the radio commercial. "It captures the essence of Amateur Radio volunteer public service and the important role of Amateur Radio performs during emergency communications in 30 seconds," Ripoll said. "The President and Creative Director of ACME and the Duracell national representative also flew down to Miami and received a tour of NHC and of the WX4NHC station where they learned about our many modes of communications, including our portable VHF/UHF radios and other portable battery operated equipment."

"With this new spot, we are helping to showcase the important contributions made by the Miami ham radio operators," said Duracell's Bob Jacobs. "These heroic teams are working to save the lives of others. When storms strike, the radio operators are donating their time to make sure communications stay intact, facing intense pressures and dangerous conditions to those in need. We're proud that our batteries can help power these life-saving efforts."