First Indian Radio Organization
July 1949 Radio & Television News

July 1949 Radio & TV News

July 1949 Radio & TV News Cover - RF Cafe[Table of Contents]

Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics. See articles from Radio & Television News, published 1919-1959. All copyrights hereby acknowledged.

The Amateur Radio Society of India (ARSI) and the National Institute of Amateur Radio (NAIR) are two of India's largest amateur radio organizations today. This story from a 1949 edition of Radio & Television News magazine reports on the first two such established groups in India, named the Amateur Radio Club of India (ARCI), and the Short-Wave League of India (SWLI). Neither appears to be in existence now and I cannot locate any information on them (other than this story). However, I got this from ChatGPT about ARCI. ChatGPT had nothing to say about SWLI. Interestingly, the SWLI group was set up for radio enthusiasts who were only listeners - not broadcasters - and were not necessarily licensed. QRZ India still operates as a licensed amateur radio operator database.

First Indian Radio Organization

First Indian Radio Organization, July 1949 Radio & Television News - RF CafeFor the first time in the history of India, two radio organizations, the Amateur Radio Club of India (ARCI), and the Short-Wave League of India, have been established, at Mhow in central India, and at Bombay (P.O. Box No. 6666, Bombay 20), respectively.

The ARCI looks after the interest of all transmitting amateurs, and SWL was formed for non-transmitting members. They publish a combined monthly journal. "QRZ," the only amateur radio journal published in that country.

Both of these stations are non-commercial, run by honorary officers, and are very active on 7, 14, and 28 mc. bands. The call signs used are VU2-ARCI. and VU2SWL, and the headquarters stations are believed to be the finest and best equipped amateur stations in Southeast Asia.

Headquarters of the ARCI and SWL amateur radio stations, VU2ARCI and VU2SWL.


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Amateur Radio Club of India (ARCI)

The Amateur Radio Club of India (ARCI) is a non-profit organization of amateur radio enthusiasts in India. It was founded in 1949 and is registered with the government of India as a society. The ARCI's mission is to promote and advance the use of amateur radio as a means of technical education, self-training, and intercommunication between people of different cultures and languages.

The ARCI provides a forum for amateur radio operators in India to share information, experiences, and ideas related to their hobby. It also conducts workshops, training sessions, and exams to help individuals obtain their amateur radio licenses. Additionally, the ARCI promotes international goodwill and understanding by participating in international amateur radio contests and events.

The ARCI is affiliated with the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) and works closely with other amateur radio organizations in India and around the world to promote the amateur radio hobby and advocate for the rights of amateur radio operators.

 

Posted March 3, 2023
(updated from original post on 11/8/2016)