The lesser-known details surrounding World Amateur Radio Day

New Delhi: Radio continues to be regarded as one of the major forms of communication even in this day and age, when cellphones with internet access are almost ubiquitous in every hand. It still has sway over the hearts of certain individuals all over the world. Every year on April 18, the world observes World Amateur Radio Day to raise awareness of the applications of amateur radio, promote it, and strengthen its spectrum rights. Observed on a special day each year, International Amateur Radio Day honors the founding of the International Amateur Radio Union, which was established in Paris, the French capital, on this day in 1925.

Amateur radio: what is it?
Short-wave spectrum radio frequency is used in amateur radio, a kind of wireless communication that was first discovered by radio amateurs.

Amateur radio, also referred to as ham radio, is a service that connects people, equipment, and communication. People utilize amateur radio to connect with one another and with places all around the world. It may also be used to communicate with those present in the room without using a phone or the internet. The ham radio is a recreational and educational tool. Furthermore, it might also have a big impact during the emergency.

Important facts about amateur radio?
The idea that radio signals may propagate globally throughout the short-wave band was initially discovered by amateur radio experimenters. However, due of the telegraph system’s explosive expansion at that particular time, amateur radio was thought to be in risk of becoming obsolete.

Pioneers in amateur radio founded the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) to promote amateur radio around the world.

At the International Radiotelegraph Conference, two years after the union was formed, amateur radio was granted allocations of 160, 80, 40, 20, and 10 meters of frequency, which are still recognized today.

With 160 member societies throughout more than 160 nations, amateur radio has grown over the years in a number of those countries. When the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) was founded in 1925, it had 25 member nations, according to the organization’s official website.

The subject of World Amateur Radio Day 2024 signifies the start of the commemoration, even though IARU will celebrate its centennial in 2025. “A Century of Connections: Celebrating 100 Years of Amateur Radio Innovation, Community, and Advocacy” is the theme for this year’s festivities.

The American Radio Relay League’s co-founder, Percy Maxim, was elected as the organization’s first president.