World Amateur Radio Day 2026
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World Amateur Radio Day 2026
W2W
11th Annual!!!!
2015-2026
2026 marks the 11th years I have been putting on this special event marking the formation of the IARU in PARIS,France. This event has brought together more than 6000 contacts over the years…never did I think for one minute I would be bringing this event to you for more than 10 years. It has been a honor to bring like minded people together and celebrate amateur radio.
Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the the formation of the IARU and this year there is a great theme. “Advancing the spirit of amateur radio through innovation”.
We have come a long way since the inception of amateur radio and the technologies used from the beginning to everything from digital modes to moon bounce to microwave…loads of different modes of communications and all this done by like minded people using technology to advance communications via technology.
So join us once again to celebrate amateur radio….we will have a limited edition qsl card.
More info will follow in the given days ahead!!!
World Amateur Radio Day 2026 – APRIL 18TH – 9AM EST/13.00UTC
ECHOLINK *ROC-HAM* Conference Server Node 531091.
AllStar node numbers 2585, 47918, 47620
DMR TGIF Talk Group 2585
Extended Freedom SIP Portal 2585
M0XSV YorkshireSVX Reflector TG2585
World Amateur Radio Day 2026
IARU is very pleased to announce the theme of: “Advancing the Spirit of Amateur Radio Through Innovation”.
IARU is celebrated its centenary in 2025. Since its founding in Paris, France, IARU has worked tirelessly to promote innovation in amateur radio and to encourage the growth of the service in communities throughout the world.
IARU has represented the Amateur Services at international and regional regulatory bodies by relying on our volunteers who come from many countries and communities. IARU has been a sector member of the ITU since 1932 and the work of our volunteers has continued since that date with unmatched success, as was highlighted with the accomplishments at WRC-23.
During our centenary year, we should take time to reflect on the remarkable achievements of radio amateurs over the last 100 years. While the Amateur Services have been in operation for over a century, 1924 was the first year that intercontinental amateur communication became more or less commonplace. Since that time radio amateurs have made unparalleled advances in technology related to the Amateur Services that play a critical role today in sustaining world-wide communications and allow us to respond to global emergencies.
World Amateur Radio Day is an opportunity to reflect on our achievements since 1924. We should celebrate our diverse community and the advances and innovations we have made as we look forward to celebrating the IARU centenary next year.
How it all started….
Every April 18, radio amateurs worldwide take to the airwaves in celebration of World Amateur Radio Day. It was on this day in 1925 that the International Amateur Radio Union was formed in Paris. April 18th 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the formation of the IARU in Paris
Amateur Radio experimenters were the first to discover that the short wave spectrum — far from being a wasteland — could support worldwide propagation. In the rush to use these shorter wavelengths, Amateur Radio was “in grave danger of being pushed aside,” the IARU’s history has noted. Amateur Radio pioneers met in Paris in 1925 and created the IARU to support Amateur Radio worldwide.
Just two years later, at the International Radiotelegraph Conference, Amateur Radio gained the allocations still recognized today — 160, 80, 40, 20, and 10 meters. Since its founding, the IARU has worked tirelessly to defend and expand the frequency allocations for Amateur Radio. Thanks to the support of enlightened administrations in every part of the globe, radio amateurs are now able to experiment and communicate in frequency bands strategically located throughout the radio spectrum. From the 25 countries that formed the IARU in 1925, the IARU has grown to include 160 member-societies in three regions. IARU Region 1 includes Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Northern Asia. Region 2 covers the Americas, and Region 3 is comprised of Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific island nations, and most of Asia. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has recognized the IARU as representing the interests of Amateur Radio.
Today, Amateur Radio is more popular than ever, with more than 3,500,000 licensed operators!
World Amateur Radio Day is the day when IARU Member-Societies can show our capabilities to the public and enjoy global friendship with other Amateurs worldwide.
For the History of the IARU please visit: http://w2pa.net/HRH/april-in-paris/
IARU, a federation of the national amateur radio societies of over 150 countries worldwide, is the global advocate for amateur radio through its Sector Membership in the International Telecommunication Union, an agency of the U.N., and other activities.
No matter where WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY is celebrated, be part of something that’s bigger than all of us.
This special event is put on to bring people together, celebrate and explore the world of amateur radio. Have great fellowships, makes friends, learn new things, whether your special event is a large one or a small one its all about celebrating amateur radio. So make sure you stop by to one of the LARGEST special event on VOIP/Echolink on the *ROC-HAM* Echolink conference node 531091 and on Allstar nodes 2585, 47918, 47620
Let’s make this special event huge, support “WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY” and see if we can break the record, you have 12 hours to do so.
Last year we brought together over 500 ham radio operators, many of them from all over the world connecting via different modes, many from different cultures.
Post-IARU congress gathering at the home of Gerald Marcuse, g2NM, IARU VP.
Seated, L-R: Mrs Maxim, Jean Metzger f8GO, IARU Councillor at Large, HPM, Marcuse, Warner, and Mrs Marcuse.
Standing, L-R: Gordon Hight, 4BQ of Rome, GA, Major William Borrett, c1DD, of Halifax, NS, L. Reid, 8AR, of St. Johns, Nfld. James Morris, 4IO, of Atlanta, GA, Mr. Nicholls, g2CC [Photo courtesy of Connecticut State Library, Maxim Collection]