“The South African Radio League (SARL) wants to broaden its contribution to the growth of amateur radio in sub-Saharan Africa as the organisation celebrates its centenary next month. Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is a hobby that involves experimenting with radio frequencies, building antennae and participating in radio contests. Amateur radio enthusiasts, also known as “hams”, play a key role by supporting emergency services with communications in disaster scenarios.”
It is odd though that there is nearly no ham activity across the rest of Africa. We often think the 1st World countries have less need for it, and yet disasters keep striking. Radio still remains a reliable backup for local as well as remote communications when all else has failed.
And of course in South Africa we still use it a lot for sporting activities that take place in locations without cellular connectivity, and for wilderness search and rescue work. Our own municipality’s Disaster Management invested in a room full of radio equipment for disasters, and it is used and tested weekly, as well as during annual exercises.
But a lot of time is also spent on experimentation across various frequencies. Even though Meshtastic radio is a license free mode, you’ll find about 85% of the active users are in fact licensed amateur radio operators.
You just have to look at the PSKreporter website to see how active the digital modes are on ham radio across the globe, 24/7.
See https://techcentral.co.za/ham-radio-turns-100-in-south-africa/261963/