04/08/2022

World Amateur Radio Day (WARD) is April 18 and is celebrated worldwide by radio
amateurs and their national associations, which are organized as
member-societies of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).

It was on this day in 1925 that the IARU was formed in Paris. American Radio
Relay League (today, ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio[1])
co-founder Hiram Percy Maxim was its first president.

"On World Amateur Radio Day, all radio amateurs are invited to take to the
airwaves to enjoy our global friendship with other amateurs, and to promote our
skills and capabilities to the public," said Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, ARRL
Director of Public Relations and Innovation. "Use the backdrop of World Amateur
Radio Day to describe and demonstrate ham radio to family, friends, and
co-workers." While WARD falls on a Monday this year, Inderbitzen encourages
amateurs and radio clubs to extend the celebration to include the weekend, or
even all week. "Some radio clubs will even seek a proclamation from their town
or state government, designating the period to recognize the contributions of
radio amateurs to our communities, and the overall importance of our Amateur
Radio Service," he said.

ARRL reports that there are more than 775,000 hams in the US. ARRL also
supports a nationwide network of 2,400 affiliated radio clubs. "Radio clubs
provide opportunities for newcomers to discover radio and to become ham radio
operators," said Inderbitzen. "Clubs develop the personal radio communications
capability of their members, operating together or from their home stations, in
portable settings, and from nearly anywhere." Inderbitzen also highlighted that
among the primary purposes of the Amateur Radio Service is to enhance
international goodwill. "Radio amateurs use radio signals, which reach beyond
borders, to bring people together culturally while providing essential
communication in service to their communities."

More information and resources for participating in and promoting World Amateur
Radio Day, can be found at:

o ARRL | www.arrl.org/world-amateur-radio-day[2]
o IARU | www.iaru.org/on-the-air/world-amateur-radio-day[3]

Use the ARRL Special Event Stations[4] listing to find on-air events by
entering "World Amateur Radio Day" in the keyword search. On social media, use
the hashtags #WorldAmateurRadioDay, #hamradio, and #ARRL.

[1] http://www.arrl.org/
[2] http://www.arrl.org/world-amateur-radio-day
[3] https://www.iaru.org/on-the-air/world-amateur-radio-day
[4] https://www.arrl.org/special-event-stations

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