Once again, a team international operators will join together for the largest cooperative global special event in amateur radio - World Autism Acceptance Week, April 2 through 8, 2025. This will be the third year for this very important activity. ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) doesn't care who or where you are, how much money one has, their color, rae or religion - it can impact anyone on Earth. Our team of hundreds of operators in over 30 countries will be on the air from April 2nd to 8th to help spread the knowledge that "It's OK to be Different". In Fact, many famous people who have had great influence on advancing society and technology are on the Spectrum... US Ops will use the special call of W2A with Alaska using W2A/KL7 and Hawaii using W2A/KH6. Check the W2A QRZ page to see all calls to look for and be sure to support them by getting in their logs. Each call page has links that you can use to help local support organizations so consider a small donation to the ones of your choice. Special QSL cards will be available via Club Log OQRS only, NO DIRECT CARDS PLEASE. If you would like to volunteer as one of our operators, from wherever you are, send an email to hamradioevents@gmail.com with your call. We will be focusing on human modes but some will be using assorted digital / SSTV modes for those who cannot use phone or CW. If you have a story to tell, don't be shy - tell the Op you reach, they are happy to discuss your connection to ASD, whatever it may be. While this disorder cannot be stopped, it can be accepted by bringing it to light around the world. Awareness equals Inclusion!
Oh boy!! This is probably my favorite Special Event. I'm trying to be at a different location for each day. Looking forward to it. Vicki / AD3i
This is soooo good will participate for sure. Will be home portable and mobile for this event. Lars / sm3uwz
Yes. This is To be commended. Working in tech for many years, the industry is loaded with hidden genius from neurodiverse players- and I’d guess ham radio (and Reddit) has a larger % of neurodiverse players than general public. One of my siblings was genius neurodiverse - she taught me a lot about it - I miss her wisdom every single day.
You write, "While this disorder cannot be stopped, it can be accepted by bringing it to light around the world." It may actually be a gift. One can only wonder how many famous people throughout history had this gift/skill!
Glad to received again this note regarding the event. Will do my best to be on the air as much as I can. Great experienece. Best 73s John HC2FN
I agree, it is only a disorder when it isn't recognized and folks treat those exhibiting odd behavior poorly, under most circumstances. One of my cousins has a son who cannot ever be left untethered, literally. I saw him jump through a bay window once, fortunately they were on the ground floor, while others less severe are super focused and very creative.
It?s really important to inform Hams too. I?m in the spectrum too and had very bad and sad experience especially on the 80m band. Some people wants that I should kill myself, others call me unfriendly things and others disturb my qso. Some call me mental ill and I belong to the clinic. Once people tried toreach that I lose my driver licence. Another Ham wrote to the authorities that I have not allowed antennas, and on and on. tI is not a easy life. And this all because one is little different to the broad masses. I hope this event helps a little bit. Because I am frustrated about the roughness here in central europe. I hpe other make better experiences. 73 Manfred, HB9FLU
This is awesome! My oldest daughter (in my profile photo) has autism and she likes to talk on the radio! I'm trying to get her to study for her tech but I bet she'd love to talk to other people with autism.
Yes what a great event had a man in the community he is now deceased what a beautiful mind he spoke perfectly and used numbers as his alphabet his name was Adam thanks for allowing me to share KZ4IH
Hi Manfred, Thanks for your contacts on 80 and 160M! I have a modest Inverted-L at 36 ft on 160M. And an RX flag that works really well for hearing Europe. Details W1VT HB9FLU 2019-03-23 03:29:00 160M FT8 1.84241 SWITZERLAND Details W1VT HB9FLU 2015-06-29 02:52:00 80M JT65 3.57600 SWITZERLAND Details W1VT HB9FLU 2015-04-17 03:13:00 160M JT65 1.83800 SWITZERLAND Details W1VT HB9FLU 2013-12-05 03:53:00 160M JT65 1.83800 SWITZERLAND Sorry to hear about the harassment you received from other hams because you are different. Ham radio can be a difficult hobby.
A few months ago I was diagnosed with ASD, which helped a lot to explain my behavior. I am a software engineer with a specialization in clinical engineering and I have been a radio amateur since 1989. In my country there is a certain awareness and acceptance of people with ASD. I hope this event will help to improve the acceptance of people with ASD. Congratulations to the organizers. PY5IG.
