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.
Contesting is a competitive activity pursued by amateur radio operators. In a contest, an amateur radio station, which may be operated by an individual or a team, seeks to contact as many other amateur radio stations as possible in a given period of time and exchange information. Rules for each competition define the amateur radio bands, the mode of communication that may be used, and the kind of information that must be exchanged. The contacts made during the contest contribute to a score by which stations are ranked. Contest sponsors publish the results in magazines and on web sites.
The Union of Swiss Short Wave Amateurs is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Switzerland. The organization uses the German language acronym USKA. USKA is incorporated under Article 60 of the Swiss Civil Code and lists as its missions representing the interests of the amateur radio operators of Switzerland before national and international regulatory agencies, advancing the scientific art of radio, supporting emergency communications, and sponsoring contests. USKA is the national member society representing Switzerland in the International Amateur Radio Union.
The Réseau des Émetteurs Français (REF) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in France. Key membership benefits of the organization include QSL bureau services, a monthly membership magazine called Radio REF, and the promotion and sponsorship of radio contests and operating awards. REF promotes amateur radio by organizing classes and technical support to help enthusiasts earn their amateur radio license. The REF-Union also represents the interests of French amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners before French and international telecommunications regulatory authorities. REF is the national member society representing France in the International Amateur Radio Union.
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 Chinese Radio Sports And Orienteering Association (CRSAOA) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in the People's Republic of China. The CRSA's primary mission is to popularize and promote amateur radio in China. Early activities of the organization focused on radiosport, and the CRSA was active in promoting Amateur Radio Direction Finding and High Speed Telegraphy competitions throughout the country. Although the CRSA has broadened its scope and now supports many kinds of radio activities, the organization's name continues to reflect this early heritage. Key membership benefits of the organization include QSL bureau services, a quarterly membership magazine called Ham's CQ. CRSA was also responsible for the administration of the amateur radio license certification program in the People's Republic of China until 2010.Former Chinese Radio Sports Association.
The Associazione Radioamatori Italiani is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Italy.
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 Royal Union of Belgian Radio Amateurs (UBA) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Belgium. UBA is the national member society representing Belgium in the International Amateur Radio Union.
The Association of Radio Amateurs of Slovenia is the national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Slovenia.
The Eesti Raadioamatööride Ühing (ERAU) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Estonia. Key membership benefits of ERAU 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. ERAU publishes a semi-annual membership magazine called ES-QTC. ERAU represents the interests of Estonian amateur radio operators before Estonian and international telecommunications regulatory authorities. ERAU is the national member society representing Estonia in the International Amateur Radio Union.
The Íslenskir Radíóamatörar, ÍRA, in English, Icelandic Radio Amateurs is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Iceland. Key membership benefits of the IRA 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. IRA represents the interests of Icelandic amateur radio operators before Icelandic and international telecommunications regulatory authorities. IRA publishes a monthly membership magazine called CQ TF. IRA is the national member society representing Iceland in the International Amateur Radio Union.
The Radio Club de Chile (RCCH) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Chile. Key membership benefits of RCCH 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. RCCH represents the interests of Chilean amateur radio operators before Chilean and international telecommunications regulatory authorities. RCCH is the national member society representing Chile in the International Amateur Radio Union.
The Radio Club Venezolano (RCV) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Venezuela. Key membership benefits of RCV 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. RCV represents the interests of Venezuelan amateur radio operators before Venezuelan and international telecommunications regulatory authorities. RCV is the national member society representing Venezuela 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 Radio Club de Honduras (RCH) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Honduras. RCH was founded on July 26, 1958, to support the scientific and technical interests of those in Honduras with an interest in radio. Key membership benefits of RCH include a QSL bureau for those amateur radio operators in regular communications with other amateur radio operators in foreign countries and sponsorship of amateur radio operating awards and radio contests. RCH represents the interests of Honduran amateur radio operators before Honduran and international regulatory authorities. RCH is the national member society representing Honduras 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 Amateur Radio Association of Bahrain (ARAB) is or was a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Bahrain.
