Amateur radio/HAM radio is both a Hobby activity and Service. It is an activity of self- learning, radio experimentation, self-training, inter-communication & technical investigation carried on with others Amateur Radio Operators solely with a personal aim without pecuniary interest. They use of designated radio frequency assigned from International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Amateur or HAM Radio holder may serve as the one of the important means of telecommunication in case of natural disasters or other emergencies.
Amateur Radio communication is an open channel without any encryption therefore at the same time others radio amateurs can listen the communication that why sometimes it’s said that amateur radio band monitored by the other Radio Amateurs. In the time of devasting natural disaster around the world many radio amateurs serve their communities to setup emergency amateur by providing communications at community events or in support of organizations dealing with emergencies.
History of Amateur Radio in Bangladesh
Amateur radio activities in East Pakistan were suspended during the war with India in 1965, and the ban on amateur radio activities remained in effect after Bangladesh achieved independence from Pakistan in 1971.
Foundation for Amateur International Radio Service (FAIRS)
In nineties (90s) when amateur radio officially get permission in Bangladesh some short wave radio listers (SWL) and radio enthusiasts lead by Manjurul Haque (S21AM), Taimur Rahman (S21AT) came forward came forward to promote amateur radio in Bangladesh. On March 1993 eight FAIRS members from USA, Ukraine & Russia lead by Mr.David Larsen (KK4WW) visited Bangladesh and spent three weeks in Dhaka they met different government officials, BTTB and others to discussed and explained about the role of amateur radio and how it can help during the devasting natural disaster. The team conducted a theoretical and practical (Morse Code) training program for the radio amateur enthusiasts, with the cooperation of Bangladesh Telegraph & Telephone Board (BTTB) and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) 30 Bangladeshi’s were trained in theory and Morse code 17 of those passed the USA level exam.
From 1994 to 2013 Fairs Bangladesh conducted several Amateur Radio Training programs for the amateur radio enthusiasts in Bangladesh. The callsign of FAIRS Bangladesh Club station S21FHQ.
About Bangladesh Amateur Radio League (BARL)
The Bangladesh Amateur Radio League was founded on 20 May 1979 by some radio enthusiasts. The founder president Mr.Saif Shahid (S21A) ,Nizam Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury (S21B) , Iqbal Ahmed (S21C) Abdur Rashid (S21AR) Nazrul Islam (S21E) and others and immediately began lobbying the government for approval of amateur radio operation in the country. Efforts to legalize amateur radio in Bangladesh would not succeed until 1991, when a new democratically elected government faced a telecommunications emergency during a major cyclone. Persuaded of the value amateur radio could offer Bangladesh society, amateur radio was legalized in the country, with many restrictions, on 29 August 1991. The amateur radio Callsign BARL Club Station S21HQ.