In the world-wide amateur radio community, social distancing is not an issue. The ham radio network operates by radio waves with signals flying high and wide, across all borders near and far. Amateur radio operators are well-known as communicators during the happy days, but also during times of crisis.  Even if physically locked down, the world is wide open for them. They are encouraged to communicate, keeping their channels clear and their minds and skills sharp for global messaging if needed. While they now extend the physical distance between friends, at the same time they grow closer in their social distance – their minds and hearts.

The Finnish Amateur Radio League (SRAL) with the support of the Finnish Communication Agency (TRAFICOM) are working together to increase awareness and promote the normal orders of each society during this unfortunate period. To do so, the three-million strong amateur radio community is encouraged to stay in touch and keep up their global network.

With that charter and mission in mind the SRAL invites all amateurs to join forces. Keep up the radio activity and the global social network!

TIME PERIOD

Thursday, April 08, 2020 16.00 UTC thru July 08, 2020, 2359 UTC. Contacts are encouraged to STAYHOME stations as well as to all friends around the world, but also for the purpose of the below-mentioned GMA (DXCC) Award:

MESSAGING WINDOW

While contacts are permitted on all amateur radio bands (CW, SSB and FT8/4) the core activity is targeted to the windows of 14250–14270 and 14050-14060 KHz and 3740-3760 and 3530-3540 KHz. The SRAL stations are typically active on that window from 12 UTC and 16 UTC onwards respectively.

RADIO MESSAGE ITSELF

Temporary QSH (Stay Happy & Healthy) which may change during the period.

MESSENGER STATION NETWORK

SRAL is launching ten (10) different stations from OH0 thru OH9 who sign with STAYHOME suffixes, such as OH5STAYHOME. The other stations from other countries signing STAYHOME are qualified to this program. Such stations include 9K9STAYHOME or TC1STAYHOME with the RAST (Thailand) E2STAYHOME station expected to join the network soon.

For coordination purposes please kindly inform your new STAYHOME country to stayhome@sral.fi accordingly.

GMA – GLOBAL MESSENGER AWARD

This award honors contacts to 100 or more different countries (DXCC), during this time period, which should include at least five (5) messenger (STAY HOME) stations.

SHA – STAYHOME AWARD

There will also be an award for contacting a minimum of five (5) OH*STAYHOME -prefixes with a maximum number of other stations in other countries signing the STAYHOME -suffix. In Finland all numbers/regions 0 thru 9 will be activated. The highest number contacted, and all with up to three (3) less than the achieved maximum will be awarded.

MESSENGER STATION NETWORK

SRAL launches ten (10) different stations from OH0 thru OH9 who sign with STAYHOME suffixes, such as OH5 STAYHOME. The other stations from other countries signing STAYHOME are qualified to this program. Such as 9KSTAYHOME or VESTAYHOME etc.

Some special activities for specific durations within this overall time period will be announced separately through international amateur radio press.

StayHome hotline: stayhome@sral.fi

QSL manager: Miika, OH2BAD. Awards: Martti, OH2BH (details TBA)

Supporting network: OH1NX, OH2BAD, OH2BH, OH2KI, OH2KM, OH4UI.

PS: As a side note, don’t forget to send “OCV” or “OCCV” if you so wish.