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The story of Amateur Radio Service in Indonesia
Amateur Service is a radiocommunication service for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by amateurs, that is, by duly authorized persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest. (ITU Radio Regulations, Article S1.56)
Amateur Radio Service in Indonesia had its beginning in the early 1930's when the country was
still under Dutch rule and known as the "Netherlands East Indies". Two of them worth mentioning as pioneers in the development of amateur radio after its re-establishment in Indonesia are: All amateur radio activity were suspended by the Japanese occupation authority at the beginning of world war II. While some of them ceased their activities, others became underground revolutionaries radios in the support of the struggle for the Indonesian independence.
In 1945 Indonesia proclaimed its independence and the declaration was transmitted throughout the world using a
"simple home-made revolutionary radio transmitter" constructed by Gunawan, YB0BD. This meritorius service was very highly acknowledge by the Indonesian Government and as a memento and token of appreciation, his radio has been considered as one of an invaluable asset in the Indonesian independence history. The transmitter was put into exhibit in the Indonesia National Museum. Aside from this historical role made by YB0BD on the day of the independence declaration, it is also worth mentioned that during the Indonesian independence war against the Dutch thereafter, there was also a young amateur who built "home-brewed" transceivers that was used to establish communications between Java and Sumatra - where the temporary government center was established in the latter. Meanwhile amateur radio activity resumed for a short period between 1945 to 1949. Because of internal security problems, after the Indonesian independence, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia suspended any non-governmental radio services activity from 1950 to 1967. This suspension was then secured by the introduction of Government Law no. 5 in 1964, which calls for a severe penalty for the possession of transmitter without an an authorized permit. However, beginning in 1966 amateur radio enthousiasts began their struggle to have an amateur radio service re-established in Indonesia. The government re-established amateur radio service in Indonesia in 1967 through the promulgation of the government regulations no. 21 in 1967. This has become the legal basis of amateur radio service existence in Indonesia until the present day. At the first national amateur radio conference held in Jakarta in July 9th, 1969 the national organization was established and its constitution and bylaws were approved. The name of the organization: ORGANISASI RADIO AMATIR REPUBLIK INDONESIA, abreviated ORARI, was changed into ORGANISASI AMATIR RADIO INDONESIA in the 1977 conference, but the abbreviation remains the same until the present day.
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