April 12, 2000

REACT News
& Press Releases

REACT International Convention Targets 21st Century Communications

REACT International Inc., (Radio Emergency Associated Communications Teams) will hold their Internaional Convention July 26-28, 2000 hosted by the Florida Council of REACT Teams Inc., at the Ramada Plaza Hotel Gateway Inn in Kissimmee, Florida. This will be an "End of the Century Blowout" as REACT goes "Transmitting into the 21st Century" - our theme for the convention. Parts of the convention will be "Live on the Internet."

Highlight of the Convention will be the appearance of the DCAT (Disaster Communications Assistance Team) van with complete communications setup including radios in all bands, GPAR, ATV, and weather satellite monitoring. The van has its own tower, repeater, and generator that can be dispatched anywhere for emergency communications during disasters.

Amateur operators from around the world are invited to call the DCAT van Wednesday July 26 between 0900 EDT to 12 midnight (1300 UTC 26 July to 0400 UTC 27 July.) Once contact is made, if amateurs send a QSL card, they will receive a commemorative certificate from the 2000 REACT International Convention,. The frequency is 28.335, and the call sign is K4EOC. The address is 2000 REACT International Convention, P.O. Box 360292, Melbourne, FL. 32936-0202.

Exciting programs planned are a FCC seminar by Mr. Riley Hollingsworth, Special Counsel, Amateur Radio, from he bureau of Enforcement in Gettysburg, PA. Guest speaker for the banquet is Mr. Joseph Myers, Director of the Florida Division of Emergency management in Tallahassee. There will be medical training and certifications in CPR, and First Aid by the American Heart Association, a time capsule ceremony where documents and items will be placed to be opened in the future, work shops, an Amateur breakfast and testing, contests, awards, and many other activities. And of course, all the well known attractions are nearby with free transportation from the hotel.

Additional information: Walt Young, Chairman. E-mail wyoung@spaceoast-react.org or 321-254-1202. Website http://www.spacecoast-react.org/conv2000.htm

Many areas of the country still need REACT'ers even though it only takes 3 people to start a team. Information may be found on the website: http://www.reactintl.org