Rajkot - Gujarat Celebrates 100 Years of IARU & World Amateur Radio Day 2025

Dear Hams,

Rajkot - Gujarat Celebrates 100 Years of IARU & World Amateur Radio Day 2025

Two Impactful Awareness Events Held in Rajkot, Gujarat by Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP


Photo Top: World Amateur Radio Day & 100th Year Celebrations of IARU
Photo Bottom: Live APRS Tracking of VU2EXP-10 during travel To & From for both venue.

In a significant celebrations for the 100th Anniversary of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) and the World Amateur Radio Day 2025, Rajkot witnessed two thrilling back-to-back events organized by Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP, Gujarat Regional Coordinator for Amateur Radio Society of India (ARSI) and AMSAT-INDIA.

Themed “Anchoring the Next Century of Amateur Radio Communications and Innovation,” both events were meticulously designed to ignite curiosity, cultivate technical understanding, and inspire young minds to explore the limitless potential of Amateur Radio as a medium of communication, experimentation, and public service. As April 18th was a public holiday, we planned to celebrate our both events a day before.


Top: Amateur Radio Session 1 Saint Paul's School, Bottom: Session 2 - Govt Engineering College Rajkot

Session 1: A Spark of Curiosity at Saint Paul's School, Rajkot
The morning of April 17, 2025 buzzed with excitement as 80 bright-eyed students from Class 9 (Science stream) gathered at Saint Paul's School, Rajkot, for an engaging awareness session on Ham Radio.

The session unfolded with interactive discussions and practical demos on:

• What is Ham Radio and why it matters
• Role of ARSI, AMSAT-INDIA & IARU
• Radio Setup and Components (Transceivers, Antennas, PSUs), etc
• Understanding QSL Cards and the VU QSL Bureau Services (Credits to VU2LU)
• SSTV – Sending Pictures Over Radio
• Digital Communications - Sending text messages
• Live APRS-IS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) Demonstration

Photo 1: Topics on Amateur Radio. Enthusiastic Students of Saint Paul's School. Rajesh VU2EXP explain about QSL Cards & it's Wonderful QSL Bureau system operational in DX & VU Land (Credit: VU2LU)

Students were captivated by a live SSTV image decoding demo, watching real-time signals transform into visual data. As Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP traveled toward the venue, students also tracked his journey using the APRS system on aprs.fi with SSID VU2EXP-10, adding a live-tech thrill to the classroom learning!

Commemorating the Legacy: MyStamp Unveiled
To honor this historic occasion, a custom-designed MyStamp by Rajesh VU2EXP was unveiled featuring the Gujarat theme celebrating 100 years of IARU and World Amateur Radio Day. The first copy was respectfully presented to Mrs. Susan Madam, representing Saint Paul's School. Students were introduced to the world of philately and how communication history can be preserved and celebrated.


1) Rajesh VU2EXP explain about Ham Radio Setup. Highlighting Tape Measure Antenna.
2) Amateur Radio Stuff, Antenna, CubeSat model, QSL Cards, Books, Articles
3) SSTV Image demonstration
4) Special MyStamp was presented to Mrs. Susan Madam from Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP

MyStamp published with theme of Gujarat for World Amateur Radio Day & 100 Years of IARU


Photo: Special MyStamp published by Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP with theme of Gujarat for World Amateur Radio Day & 100 Years of IARU. Mahatma Gandhi, Kite Festival & Dandiya Dance highlighted in Govt of India Stamps.

Session 2: Technical Immersion at Government Engineering College, Rajkot
Later in the day, we reached the Government Engineering College (GEC), Rajkot at 10:45 AM. We were warmly welcomed by Shri S. B. Parmar Sir, HoD of the Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE) Department, along with Professors Ravi Mehta, Prof. Jay Pandya, and Prof. Manish Patel.

More than 120 keen engineering students from the ECE branch, along with 7 faculty members, participated in this in-depth technical workshop on Amateur Radio, Digital Communication, and Satellite Technology.


Photo: 1) Rajesh VU2EXP, Regional Coordinator of ARSI & AMSAT-INDIA
2) Radio Stuff on display
3) Keen Audience learnt different aspects of Ham Radio.
4) Memorable Group celebrates the occasion of WARD 100 years of IARU.

Exhibition Highlights: A Hands-On Experience
A rich collection of radio and satellite gear was on display, including:

• All Band All Mode Icom IC-705 SDR Radio
• HTs (Handy Talkies) & Antennas
• Power Supply Units
• Morse Code Keys, Oscillators, Keyers
• RTL-SDR Dongles for Signal Reception
• Tape Measure Antenna / Whip Antenna
• CubeSat Model
• Ham Logbooks, QSL Cards, Licensing Documents
• Books, Magazines, and Technical Articles

Students had the opportunity to see, touch, and understand these tools—many for the first time—bridging theory with real-world technology.


photo 1: Program titled with IARU Theme
2) All about Satellite Communications, Various Orbits, Tracking tips etc
3) ARISS SSTV Awards of my daughter Sakshi Vagadia VU3EXP, received in 2015
4) HF Radio waves & Ionospheric propagations


Topics Covered: Learning Beyond Textbooks
Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP expertly guided students through a spectrum of topics:

• History of Amateur Radio
  
• Introduction of IARU, ITU, ARSI, AMSAT-INDIA
• Fundamentals of RF Communication
• Ham Bands, Frequencies & Operating Protocols
• Amateur Radio vs Mobile Phone
• Ham Terminology, Q-Codes, and the RST System
• Use of Distress Calls (SOS, MAYDAY) Life saving call in radio communication
• Emergency Communication During Natural Calamities
• Overview of Amateur Radio Satellites & Modes
• Understanding LEO, MEO, and GEO orbits
• Radio Events - ARDF, Hill-Top, LightHouse Activation, Contest etc.
• Adventure with; EME, HAB Experiments,
• Receiving SSTV Images from the ISS
• APRS-IS Network Tracking Demonstrations

Photo 1: Emergency Call or Message in CW or Telephony
2) Inventor of Morse code, the Samuel Morse
3) Ms. Shyama Vagadia VU3WHG, during Vayu Cyclone at Porbander with Rajesh VU2EXP.
4) Team GIAR going for Emergency Communication at Teresa Island (Andaman Nikobar)

APRS demo was self explanatory, while tracking VU2EXP-10 SSID in real-time added a dynamic, practical component to the learning. Link to our aprs tracking route is found at;
https://tinyurl.com/VU2EXP-APRS-WARD-IARU

The hands-on SSTV demo allowed students to witness live signal reception and decoding between two vhf stations in the auditorium, They were surprised to know NASA / Apollo mission used a similar SSTV algorithm to send Images of the Moon. By carrying a SSTV demo students learned how a picture is converted to audio frequency, transmitted from one point to another, received by another station & get decoded image line by line on the projected screen! Here is our live SSTV Decoding taking place of a Student girl;



For VHF FM - Voice Demo, three groups were formed, we guided how to hold HT (in left hand, so one can note down msg with right hand), speak loud & clear after pressing a PTT to initiate a Talk followed by callsign/message & ended with Over! Students enjoyed such a modulation test and had lots of fun conversation between other groups, Also all the faculties On Air shared their valuable views & gave encouraging feedback for our Amateur Radio Awareness event.


Photo: Group of Students participating in VHF FM Demo lead by GEC faculties & VU2EXP.

Curiosity Ignited
The students showed tremendous interest and raised thoughtful questions, especially about the research potential of amateur radio, radio data analyzed for meaningful projects, it's role in disaster management, and how they can participate in ARISS events or build their own low-cost HF receivers..

Our special MyStamp was presented to Prof. Jay Pandya Sir and the faculty team as a token of appreciation and memory of this remarkable event.


Photo 1: Radio stuff displayed
2) SSTV Demo by Transmitting, Receiving & Decoding Live image of female Engineering Student.
Center: Scan QR Code to view Live Decoding of SSTV audio to Image on the screen.
3) Keen Audience learning various aspects of Amateur Radio & Satellite Communications
4) Special MyStamp was Presented by Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP to Prof. Jay Pandya & team of GEC College.

Spreading the Wave of Wireless Wisdom
These events served as a perfect fusion of science, history, innovation, and hands-on exploration, leaving a deep impact on both school and college students. They not only learned about radio—they experienced it.

Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP emphasized that Amateur Radio is not just a hobby, it is a gateway to innovation, experimentation to Satellite & space science, and emergency communication for the best use of our Radio. He encouraged students to explore licensing and contribute to research, satellite tracking, and communication technology.

Words of Gratitude
Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP extends heartfelt thanks to:

• Respected Father James & Susan Madam, Saint Paul’s School, Rajkot
• Shri Parmar Sir, HoD ECE, GEC Rajkot
• Prof. Jay Pandya (Coordinator), Prof. Manish Patel, and Prof. Ravi Mehta
• Rameshkumar VU2LU, Krishna Kumar VU2YUU, and Madhukar VU2MUD from ARSI for excellent organisations support.
• Maniji VU2WMY, Nitin VU2JEK, and Kaustav VU2UUU from AMSAT-INDIA for best technical support.
• Shri H. C. Mehta for creative guidance & support to make Gujarat-themed MyStamp for WARD and IARU Celebrations
• Shri Pravinbhai Valera VU2CPV & Dr. Jagdishbhai Pandya VU2JGI from GIAR (Gujarat Institute of Amateur Radio) for regional support & guidance.
• We thank DX organisations incl. IARU, AMSAT, ARISS, ARRL etc for their global contributions.

Conclusion
The World Amateur Radio Day 2025 celebration in Rajkot was more than just a commemoration—it was a micro launchpad for the next generation of experimenters, communicators, and innovators. With the potential of Ham Radio, the spirit of learning, and the strength of collaboration, the future of wireless communication is in capable hands.

Our ARSI headquarter in south India too celebrated this event with other partner radio clubs at Bangalore - Karnataka in a gigantic way, their photo story could be viewed at https://tinyurl.com/2urdk24v

Our state club, GIAR has also exhibited a nice event with wonderful Ham operators Eyeball and also conducted HF/VHF Demonstrations at a beautiful nature park of Gandhinagar - Gujarat

73! Best Wishes and Good DX!

Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP
Rajkot, Gujarat (India)
Gujarat Regional Coordinator for;
• Amateur Radio Society of India (ARSI)
• AMSAT-INDIA
Mobile: +91-9898283916
Email: vu2exp@gmail.com
Web: www.qrz.com/db/vu2exp

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for more info;

1) International Amateur Radio Union (IARU)
https://www.iaru.org

2) Amateur Radio Society of India (ARSI)
https://arsi.info

3) AMSAT-INDIA
https://amsatindia.org

4) Gujarat Institute of Amateur Radio (GIAR)
https://giar.org

 

Great work Rajesh!!! Thank you for introducing ham radio to the next generation of hams in your country. Excellent work and much needed. Keep it up my friend! - Rudy KD8YER

 

Thank you so much Rudy KD8YER for your motivation. I always love to do ham awareness activities and this time I was having a big reason!
Thank you, 73
Rajesh Vagadia
VU2EXP
Rajkot Gujarat

 

Great job!!!

 

Thank You W2JLD,
Hope I could create ham radio awareness drive in the region.
73
Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP
Rajkot Gujarat

 

Excellent workshop for your new HAMS in your country. You explained the importance of understanding Communications and thoroughly covered the lessons learned through HAM radio. GREAT JOB!!! GL & 73 NA4RA

 

Hi Ranford, you live in beautiful beach city Jupiter! what a lovely clip found on your qrz page.
Btw thank you for your appreciation for all Ham awareness activity I do here in Gujarat India. I am keenly hooked to this fascinating hobby. Do you know 1st Indian ham licence was issued way back in 1921, call was 2JK for Amarendra Chandra Gooptu! We are trying to promote hobby in next generation, in our family we have 6 ham operators!
Thank you,
73
Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP
Rajkot Gujarat

 

Congratulations and well done!

 

Thank you Michael. I am happy to see your various club activities. I found your club using packet radio too. Will be in touch with you to learn / get some solutions on packet communications.
Thank you once again.
73
Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP
Rajkot Gujarat

 

Your reply reminded me that I needed to update the link to one of my associations. Thank you.

 

Michael can you drop a mail to me, so i can be in touch with you re packet based communication. As I didn't find mail mentioned on your profile.
My mail id is ok in my profile page.
Thank you.
73
Rajesh VU2EXP

 

Great Job Rajesh....hopefully you will inspire more youth into the Amateur Radio hobby....73 de KG9FA from Chicago area.

 

Yes Sanjay KG9FA, I am continuously keeping youth engaged with all my Amateur Radio promotional activities. I feel, still lot more mass awareness is required to spread a word for our hobby in every corner of the country!
Thank you so much for your compliment & encouragement.
I congratulate for your superb radio & antenna setup... just dream for many of hams.. hi hi.
Enjoy & keep DXing!
73
Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP
Rajkot Gujarat

 

Hoping to make contact one day with my HAM friends in India. I used to work with VU2ANM in Delhi in 90's