The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the largest membership association of amateur radio enthusiasts in the United States. ARRL is a non-profit organization, and was co-founded on April 6, 1914, by Hiram Percy Maxim and Clarence D. Tuska of Hartford, Connecticut. The ARRL represents the interests of amateur radio operators before federal regulatory bodies, provides technical advice and assistance to amateur radio enthusiasts, supports a number of educational programs and sponsors emergency communications service throughout the country. The ARRL has approximately 161,000 members. In addition to members in the US, the organization claims over 7,000 members in other countries. The ARRL publishes many books and a monthly membership journal called QST.
The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) is an international confederation of national organisations that allows a forum for common matters of concern to amateur radio operators worldwide, and collectively represents matters to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The International Amateur Radio Union was founded in 1925 and, as of July 2021, it is composed of 172 national member societies.
Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC), known in French as Radio Amateurs du Canada, is the national association for Amateur Radio in Canada. It is a not-for-profit membership association with headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, representing the interests of Amateur Radio all across Canada. Speaking on behalf of Canadian Radio Amateurs, RAC provides liaison with government agencies and carries the Amateur voice about regulatory and spectrum issues to the discussion table with government and industry leaders, nationally and internationally.
The South African Radio League (SARL), formerly known as the South African Radio Relay League (SARRL), is a non-profit organisation representing the interests of amateur radio enthusiasts in South Africa. The SARL advocates on behalf of its membership and all licensed amateur radio operators in South Africa as the representative of amateur radio to the South African government. This has included the promotion of deregulation and simplification of the amateur radio service, and expansion of the number of amateur radio operators in Southern Africa. The SARL publicises and promotes the role of amateur radio in society, and promotes the use of amateur radio in schools as an entry point into the fields of science and technology. The SARL publishes a magazine called Radio ZS twelve times a year. SARL is the national Member Society representing South Africa in the International Amateur Radio Union and is a Member Society in IARU Region 1.
The Federacion Mexicana de Radio Experimentadores, A.C. (FMRE) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Mexico. Key membership benefits of the organization include QSL bureau services, the promotion and sponsorship of radio contests and operating awards, and an organization dedicated to emergency communications. FMRE promotes amateur radio by organizing classes and technical support to help enthusiasts earn their amateur radio license. Members receive a bimonthly magazine published by the organization, Onda corta. The FMRE also represents the interests of Mexican amateur radio operators before Mexican and international telecommunications regulatory authorities. FMRE is the national member society representing Mexico in the International Amateur Radio Union.
The Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under The Royal Patronage of His Majesty The King (RAST) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Thailand. The organization is founded under the royal patronage of the King of Thailand, and qualifies as a charitable entity pursuant to a Thai Ministry of Finance declaration. The organization was founded on August 22, 1963 by a group of amateur radio operators who met at a restaurant in Bangkok. Among the first orders of business was to address official objections to the communications of radio amateurs in Thailand with amateur radio operators in other countries. The RAST represents the interests of Thai amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners before Thai and international telecommunications regulatory authorities. RAST is the national member society representing Thailand in the International Amateur Radio Union.
The Radio Club Argentino (RCA) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Argentina. RCA was founded in Buenos Aires on October 21, 1921. Key membership benefits in the organization include the use of a QSL bureau for those amateur radio operators in regular contact with amateur radio operators in other countries, a group insurance policy, and a quarterly membership journal called Revista del Radio Club Argentino. The Radio Club Argentino represents the interests of Argentine amateur radio operators before Argentine and international regulatory authorities. It is also the national member society representing Argentina in the International Amateur Radio Union.
The Asocijacija Radioamatera u Bosni i Hercegovini (ARAuBiH) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Key membership benefits of ARAuBiH include the sponsorship of amateur radio operating awards and radio contests, and a QSL bureau for those members who regularly communicate with amateur radio operators in other countries. ARAuBiH publishes a specialty radio and electronics magazine called RADIO T9. ARAuBiH represents the interests of the amateur radio operators of Bosnia and Herzegovina before national, European, and international telecommunications regulatory authorities. ARAuBiH is the national member society representing Bosnia and Herzegovina in the International Amateur Radio Union.
The Radio Amateur Association of Greece (RAAG) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Greece. The society was founded in February 1958, facing great difficulties due to negative attitude of the Greek Government of the time towards amateur radio. RAAG represents the interests of Greek amateur radio operators before national, European, and international telecommunications regulatory authorities. RAAG is the national member society representing Greece in the International Amateur Radio Union. Key membership benefits of RAAG include the sponsorship of amateur radio operating awards and radio contests, and a QSL bureau for those members who regularly communicate with amateur radio operators in other countries.
The Telsiz ve Radyo Amatörleri Cemiyeti (TRAC) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Turkey. The organization was founded in 1962 as the Türkiye Radyo Amatörleri Cemiyeti, adopting its current name in 1980. With its headquarters located in Istanbul, TRAC has branches in 46 locations across Turkey. TRAC is the national member society representing Turkey in the International Amateur Radio Union.
The Radio Club Peruano (RCP) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Peru. RCP was founded on December 6, 1930, and the first General Meeting of the organization was held in the halls of the Library of the Geographical Society in Lima, Peru in January, 1931. The RCP operates a QSL bureau for those amateur radio operators in regular contact with amateur radio operators in other countries, and supports amateur radio operating awards and radio contests. Radio Club Peruano represents the interests of Peruvian amateur radio operators before national and international regulatory authorities. RCP is the national member society representing Peru in the International Amateur Radio Union.
The Club de Radioaficionados de Guatemala (CRAG) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Guatemala. Key membership benefits of the CRAG include a QSL bureau for those amateur radio operators in regular communications with other amateur radio operators in foreign countries, and a network to support amateur radio emergency communications. CRAG represents the interests of Guatemalan amateur radio operators before Guatemalan and international regulatory authorities. CRAG is the national member society representing Guatemala in the International Amateur Radio Union.
The Club de Radioexperimentadores de Nicaragua (CREN) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Nicaragua. Key membership benefits of the CREN include a QSL bureau for those amateur radio operators in regular communications with other amateur radio operators in foreign countries, and a network to support amateur radio emergency communications. CREN represents the interests of Nicaraguan amateur radio operators before Nicaraguan and international regulatory authorities. CREN is the national member society representing Nicaragua in the International Amateur Radio Union.
The Radio Club de Costa Rica (RCCR) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Costa Rica. Key membership benefits of the RCCR include a QSL bureau for those amateur radio operators in regular communications with other amateur radio operators in foreign countries, and a network to support amateur radio emergency communications. RCCR represents the interests of Costa Rican amateur radio operators before Costa Rican and international regulatory authorities. RCCR is the national member society representing Costa Rica in the International Amateur Radio Union.
The Club de Radio Aficionados de El Salvador (CRAS) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in El Salvador. Key membership benefits of the CRAS include a QSL bureau for those amateur radio operators in regular communications with other amateur radio operators in foreign countries, and a network to support amateur radio emergency communications. CRAS represents the interests of El Salvadoran amateur radio operators before El Salvadoran and international regulatory authorities. CRAS is the national member society representing El Salvador in the International Amateur Radio Union.
The Syrian Scientific Technical Amateur Radio Society (SSTARS) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Syria. The organization was founded in 1947 as the Technical Institute of Radio by a group of amateur radio enthusiasts in Damascus. Rashid Jalal YK1AA served as the organization president from 1947 until 1983. The organization formally incorporated under its new name in 2005.
The Amateurs Radio Algeriens is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Algeria. The organisation was founded on March 23, 1963. Key membership benefits of the ARA include a QSL bureau for those amateur radio operators in regular communications with other amateur radio operators in foreign countries, and a network to support amateur radio emergency communications. The ARA represents the interests of Algerian amateur radio operators before Algerian and international regulatory authorities. The ARA is the national member society representing Algeria in the International Amateur Radio Union.
The Association Royale des Radio Amateurs du Maroc (ARRAM) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Morocco. Key membership benefits of the ARRAM include a QSL bureau for those amateur radio operators in regular communications with other amateur radio operators in foreign countries, and a network to support amateur radio emergency communications. The ARRAM operates a club station with the call sign CN8MC. The ARRAM represents the interests of Moroccan amateur radio operators before Moroccan and international regulatory authorities. The ARRAM is the national member society representing Morocco in the International Amateur Radio Union.
The Aruba Amateur Radio Club (AARC) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Aruba. AARC operates a QSL bureau for those members who regularly communicate with amateur radio operators in other countries. The organization operates amateur radio repeaters located at points of high elevation on Sero Yamanota that can be accessed from around the island, from Curaçao, and parts of Venezuela. AARC represents the interests of Aruban amateur radio operators before Aruban and international telecommunications regulatory authorities. AARC is the national member society representing Aruba in the International Amateur Radio Union.
Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is the use of the radio frequency spectrum for purposes of non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, private recreation, radiosport, contesting, and emergency communications. The term "amateur" is used to specify "a duly authorized person interested in radioelectric practice with a purely personal aim and without pecuniary interest"; and to differentiate it from commercial broadcasting, public safety, or professional two-way radio services.
