Digital technology brings far-reaching advantages

Friedrichshafen – Being a ham radio enthusiast means being passionate about technology, constantly searching for new innovations, and enjoying contact with people from around the world. The Ham Radio 2012, held from Friday, June 22 until Sunday, June 24, covers all of the bases in this fascinating hobby, appealing to young and old alike. The motto of this year’s exhibition is “Digital Amateur Radio.” In a series of presentations organized by the German Amateur Radio Club (DARC), the conceptual patron of the Ham Radio, visitors will learn about digital technology in amateur radio and the literally far-reaching implications of this technology.

This year, the Ham Radio will again take place in combination with the Hamtronic. 203 exhibitors from 31 countries will give visitors a comprehensive overview of the market and will show off the newest innovations in the industry. “This is an increase of 10.3 percent over last year,” announced project leader Petra Rathgeber. “But the latest innovations are not the only attraction for amateur radio enthusiasts. The exchange with colleagues from all over the world, the educational possibilities here and the Ham Radio’s contests make it the premiere address for anyone and everyone who enjoys amateur radio,” Rathgeber emphasized. Everything that makes up the Ham Radio’s recipe for success, from the activity stage, ham rally, the Lake Constance Meeting with a comprehensive lecture program, to the ham camp will be back this year.

“Few places in Europe are as important to amateur radio as Friedrichshafen. This is where ham radio enthusiasts from all over the world come together,” declared Jens Hergert, interim director of the DARC, at the press conference. Being in Friedrichshafen isn’t just important for exhibitors. The largest international exhibition of its kind in Europe is the ideal platform for the association. “We as an association use the Ham Radio to draw broad attention to those topics which are especially important to us,” said Hergert. This year, digital communication in amateur radio is at the center of DARC’s efforts.

Bits and bytes will therefore be the dominant theme at the 37^th Ham Radio, which takes place under the motto “Digital Amateur Radio.” The DARC intends to prove that amateur radio is a high tech, future-oriented form of communication, with many amateur radio operators in science and research taking a leading role in developing new technologies. Jochen Berns, head of the DARC’s department for VHF/UHF/SHF technology, sees digital amateur radio as the future – and a very promising one at that. The age of analog transmission is not coming to end because analog no longer works or doesn’t do the job, but because digital communication offers so many possibilities and alternatives. 

“Digital doesn’t just mean modern, but it literally offers far-reaching advantages, especially in amateur radio,” explained Joachim Berns. For example, digital technology opens up communication routes across the world at times when analog connections seem impossible. An important term in digital technology is SDR (software defined radio), which converts analog signals into digital ones. With SDR, a standard pc or laptop equipped with a sound card can easily be used as a receiver of digital amateur radio signals. Amateur radio enthusiasts are responsible for a wide range of SDR developments, proving that, around the world, they are participating in the digital revolution by furthering the development of digital technology and communicating digitally.

The Ham Radio takes place from Friday, June 22 to Sunday, June 24 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Additional information is available at www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.de