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In 1989, Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, developed and implemented the first Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS). Initially designed for tracking the position of vehicles and reporting real-time data, APRS utilized packet radio to transmit information such as GPS coordinates, weather data, and messages. This innovation enabled amateur radio operators to exchange situational awareness data effectively and…

In 1983, the creation and implementation of the Transfer Control Protocol/Internetwork Protocol (TCP/IP) marked the official birth of the Internet as we know it today. TCP/IP, developed by Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn, provided a robust and scalable framework for data communication across interconnected networks. This protocol suite enabled disparate computer networks to communicate with…

In 1983, the United States saw the dawn of cellular service with the launch of the first commercial cellular network by Ameritech in Chicago. This event marked a significant milestone in telecommunications, transforming how people communicated and paving the way for the mobile revolution. The initial service operated on analog technology, known as Advanced Mobile…

In 1983, astronaut and amateur radio operator Owen Garriott, W5LFL, made history by bringing a 2-meter rig aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia during the STS-9 mission. This pioneering effort marked the first time an amateur radio was operated from space. Garriott’s initiative, known as SAREX (Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment), enabled nearly 300 QSOs (contacts) with…

In 1983, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched the Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) program, revolutionizing the amateur radio licensing process in the United States. This program authorized certified volunteer examiners (VEs) to administer amateur radio license exams, streamlining and decentralizing the testing process. The VEC program made it more accessible for individuals to obtain their…

In the early 1980s, Peter Martinez, G3PLX, created AMTOR (Amateur Teleprinting Over Radio), which became the first amateur HF digital mode offering error-free communication. AMTOR, an adaptation of the maritime SITOR mode, introduced forward error correction (FEC) and automatic repeat request (ARQ) mechanisms, significantly enhancing the reliability of data transmission over shortwave frequencies. This innovation…

During the Falklands War in 1982, amateur radio played a vital role in relaying crucial information. Les Hamilton, GM3ITN, became a key figure in this effort by facilitating communications between Bob McLeod, VP8LP, in the Falklands, and Tony Pole-Evans, VP8HNS, on HMS Endurance. Amid the conflict, traditional communication channels were unreliable or unavailable, making Hamilton’s…

In 1979, the World Administrative Radio Conference (WARC) in Geneva resulted in the establishment of three new amateur radio bands: the 30-meter, 17-meter, and 12-meter bands. These bands, often referred to as the “WARC bands,” were allocated to provide more spectrum space for amateur radio operators and to alleviate congestion on existing bands. The 30-meter…

On October 29, 1969, a team of researchers led by Professor Leonard Kleinrock at UCLA sent the first message over ARPANET, the precursor to the modern Internet. The message, intended to be “LOGIN,” crashed the system after just the first two letters, “LO,” were successfully transmitted to Stanford Research Institute (SRI). Despite this initial hiccup,…