World Amateur Radio Day

Today, April 18, 2013 is a special day in the world of ham radio. It's World Amateur Radio Day!

World Amateur Radio Day, or WARD is held each April 18 to commemorate the founding of The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). Founded in 1925, The IARU is an organization dedicated to the use and development of amateur radio around the globe. This year is the 88th anniversary of the IARU.

Each year the IARU chooses a theme for Amateur Radio Day, This year the theme is Amateur Radio: Entering Its Second Century of Disaster Communications. The theme commemorates the first recorded use of amateur radio in an emergency.

In March 1913, the Scioto River in Columbus, Ohio flooded the area, killing over 100 people. According to an article in the Columbus Dispatch published November 6, 2012, 15 year old Herbert V. Akerberg of Hilltop, Ohio began sending SOS messages for help via Morse code from his amateur radio during the flood. From March 26, 1913 and almost continuously for the next 72 hours, Akerberg transmitted requests for assistance for residents in the area affected by the flood. He was later commended by the city and received wide acclaim for his contribution to the advancement of amateur radio as an important communications tool for use in an emergency situation.

In celebration of World Amateur Radio Day, Buy Two Way Radios is offering a WARD special: Purchase a Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band UHF/VHF Amateur Radio and take an additional 10% off with Promo Code: HAMDAY! This special discount is valid until Midnight tonight (April 18, 2013) and is valid on the Baofeng UV-5R and all UV-5R accessories! Simply enter Promo Code: HAMDAY at checkout and your 10% discount will be applied to your order.

Note: This special is valid during World Amateur Radio Day only and expires at midnight, April 18, 2013.