Posts by admin
Amateur radio operators mobilize to assist 9/11 rescue efforts
In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, amateur radio operators quickly mobilized to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts. With conventional communication networks overwhelmed or destroyed, hams provided critical communication support for emergency responders and relief organizations. They set up emergency communication networks, relayed vital information, and coordinated logistics. Amateur radio…
Read MoreD-Star concept published by JARL
In 2001, the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) published the concept for D-STAR (Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio), a digital communication protocol designed to enhance amateur radio operations. D-STAR facilitates efficient and flexible communication by using digital voice and data capabilities. This protocol supports advanced features such as digital voice, low-speed data, and high-speed…
Read MoreInitial release of WSJT
In 2001, Joseph Taylor, K1JT, released WSJT (Weak Signal Communication by K1JT), a groundbreaking suite of digital communication protocols designed for amateur radio. Developed to facilitate communication under extremely weak signal conditions, WSJT includes modes like JT65, JT9, and FT8, each optimized for different types of propagation and communication needs. These protocols use sophisticated error-correcting…
Read MoreFCC introduces current three-class licensing model
In 2000, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) introduced the current three-class licensing model for amateur radio in the United States, simplifying the structure to Technician, General, and Amateur Extra licenses. This change aimed to streamline the licensing process and make it more accessible. The Technician class offers entry-level privileges with limited HF access and full…
Read MoreIssuance of new Advanced licenses ceased
In 2000, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decided to cease issuing new Advanced class licenses as part of a restructuring of the amateur radio licensing system. Existing Advanced class license holders were allowed to retain and renew their licenses, but no new applications were accepted. This change aimed to simplify the licensing structure, consolidating the…
Read MorePeter Martinez G3PLX introduces PSK31
In 1998, Peter Martinez, G3PLX, introduced PSK31, a revolutionary digital mode for amateur radio communication. PSK31, which stands for Phase Shift Keying at a rate of 31.25 baud, was designed to facilitate efficient, low-bandwidth communication under weak signal conditions. This mode quickly gained popularity among amateur radio operators due to its robustness and effectiveness in…
Read MoreGPS becomes operational
![GPS Satellite. Photo: By NASA - https://www.egraphicbd.com [dead link] (Wayback Machine), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=564265](https://hamhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/1995/07/GPS_Satellite_NASA_art-iif.jpg)
In 1995, the Global Positioning System (GPS) became fully operational, revolutionizing navigation and location tracking. Developed by the United States Department of Defense, GPS consists of a constellation of satellites that transmit signals to receivers on the ground, enabling precise determination of location, velocity, and time. For amateur radio operators, the availability of GPS technology…
Read MoreJoseph Taylor (K1JT) awarded Nobel in Physics
In 1993, American astrophysicist Joseph Taylor, along with his colleague Russell Hulse, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their discovery of a new type of pulsar, a binary pulsar, in 1974. Their groundbreaking work provided indirect evidence for the existence of gravitational waves, predicted by Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity. Taylor, an…
Read MoreTim Berners-Lee invents modern internet at CERN in Geneva
In 1989, Tim Berners-Lee, a British scientist at CERN in Geneva, invented the World Wide Web, fundamentally transforming the modern Internet. Berners-Lee’s creation introduced a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet, allowing users to navigate through information with ease using web browsers. This innovation included the development of key technologies such as…
Read MoreMorse code-free Technician license
In 1991, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) proposed the creation of a code-free Technician license, granting access to amateur radio bands above 30 MHz. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) agreed to this proposal, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for new amateur radio operators by eliminating the Morse code requirement for this license class.…
Read More