Today radio amateurs commemorate World Radio Amateur Day, which was declared by the International Union of Radio Amateurs (IARU). IARU was founded in Paris on April 18, 1925. The predecessor of the Office for the Regulation of Electronic Communications and Postal Services (RÚ) - the Telecommunications Office of the Slovak Republic (TÚ SR) was in 2013 the first regulatory office in Europe to promote its work using amateur radio broadcasting and also broadcast during the World Radio Amateur Day. In 2014, the RÚ.TÚ SR also followed suit. In 2013, it commemorated the World Day of Radio Amateurs, when on that day it enabled radio amateurs from all over the world to make an occasional radio amateur connection with the OM20TUSR station, which was operated by a spokesperson of the TÚ SR. The amateur radio station OM20TUSR, which broadcast on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of TÚ SR, was also heard briefly during the World Day of Radio Amateurs. In approximately fifty minutes of phone operation, it established one hundred and twelve amateur radio connections with twenty-seven countries of the world on the 14 MHz shortwave band. In addition to European radio amateurs, there were radio amateurs, e.g. from Puerto Rico, USA, Canada and Japan. In 2014, during this day, an occasional amateur radio station RÚ with the call sign OM44LTE.
Radio amateurs are primarily engaged in radio amateur broadcasting on frequency bands that are intended for radio amateurs. They use radiotelephony, telegraphy or digital modes of operation. They treat each other and treat each other like friends. They do not hesitate to travel and broadcast from various islands, less developed countries and uninhabited territories to allow other radio amateurs to establish a connection with a rare location. The propagation of electromagnetic waves is affected by several factors, therefore, when establishing radio amateur connections, they also rely on their knowledge of physics, electrical engineering, geography, meteorology, etc. They also establish amateur radio connections in an unconventional way, e.g. through reflection from the lunar surface, from ionized meteor tracks, from the sporadic layer and the like.
Among radio amateurs there are also skilled designers and creators of computer programs and mobile applications. Although there are electronic communications and IT specialists among them, usually their occupation has nothing to do with their hobby, i.e. transmitters, antennas and broadcasting. In order to become a radio amateur and broadcast on amateur radio bands, the applicant must be at least 14 years old and successfully pass the tests of special professional competence before the RÚ commission. It is necessary to demonstrate knowledge of regulations, technology and operation. After successfully passing the exams, he can apply to the RU for permission and assignment of a call sign.
In Bratislava on April 18, 2017
Roman Vavro, spokesperson of the RÚ