ARRL Field Day is many things to many people. It ranges from a contest to a picnic to an emergency drill and more. But according to ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, it is also a public relations event and groups can score more than 500 points for working the public relations angle before the weekend even begins.

Instead of just telling your fellow hams and club members about Field Day, why not tell your local newspapers and radio and television stations? Having a media hit or link is good for 100 points.

Instead of manning only the radios, how about manning a public information table with brochures, signs and a smile? That's another 100 points. The ARRL offers publicity materials at no charge except a small shipping fee. It is probably too late to receive these brochures and handouts if you have not already requested them, but go ahead and order them -- you or your club will never know when the opportunity to tell the world about Amateur Radio will pop up next.

When you invite your elected local officials to visit your Field Day site, you can earn 100 points when they come. "This is easier than many folks might expect, especially with election season looming. All you have to do is ask!" Pitts said.

Having an official proclamation helps, too, he said; many communities and states have named June 23-29 as Amateur Radio Week. "ARRL Public Information Officers around the country were encouraged to begin work on obtaining these many weeks ago, and hundreds of local proclamations by city and county leaders -- as well as six state proclamations -- have been made, with more expected. Proclamations from the governors of Ohio, Kansas, North Carolina, Michigan, West Virginia, Washington and Alabama, along with a letter from the California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger are not just recognitions of the past, but keys for future political actions such as PRB-1 and legislative issues."

Pitts said that if your state is one of the 24 states without a PRB-1 statute on the books, "Why not start the process now by inviting your elected officials to your Field Day site to see what Amateur Radio is all about. Chances are, they will see the importance of what we do, giving you an inroad into discussing how they can help you get antennas in your community or even across the state. It's amazing to think that a simple invitation could lead to so much, but it's happened before -- why not make your Field Day the next success story."

For a list of the many ways you or your club can earn bonus points this Field Day, please be sure to check out the ARRL Field Day packet.