World Amateur Radio Day 2025 Event Report

Venue: Aranya Udyan, GEER Foundation, Gandhinagar
Date: April 18, 2025
Time: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM

World Amateur Radio Day 2025 was celebrated with great enthusiasm at the picturesque Aranya Udyan, nestled within the GEER Foundation, Gandhinagar. The venue, known for its beautiful butterfly garden, serene birding lake, and scenic amphitheater, added a unique charm to the occasion.

Around 50 participants, primarily amateur radio operators and enthusiasts from Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad, gathered to celebrate the spirit of HAM radio.

Preparations and Setup
A team lead by Pravin Valera VU2CPV, including Amitsinh VU3FFU, Hirensinh VU3FFV, Dhiren Tank VU3HXS and Ruchir Purohit VU3NZT arrived the previous night to set up the 40-meter and 20-meter antennas. In addition to the radio infrastructure, they arranged chairs, water, electricity connections, banner displays, and a thorough cleanup of the area to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for all attendees.

Event Highlights
The event kicked off promptly at 7:00 AM and concluded with a hearty breakfast by 11:00 AM.

Key highlights included:

  • Pravin Valera opened the event with an introduction and an informative session on the Gujarat Institute of Amateur Radio (GIAR), outlining its vision, training efforts, and community outreach.
  • Esteemed senior HAM Pradipbhai shared his decades of experience, inspiring new and aspiring operators.
  • Mr. Jinofer made a special announcement regarding a repeater donation to GIAR by the Atash Foundation, marking a significant boost for local HAM infrastructure.
  • Ikshit Shah, a Short Wave Listener (SWL), delivered an emotional speech praising GIAR’s work and expressed his strong desire to clear the HAM exam and join the ranks.

Outreach Session by Dr. Jagdish Pandya
A brief, but informative and interactive session was also conducted by Dr. Jagdish Pandya Sir,  for the staff of Indroda Park and Aranya Udyan, who had shown keen interest in amateur radio. Session was supported by Pravin Valera Sir, Pradeep Sir, and Ruchir as they guided them through the basics of amateur radio, exam preparation tips, and a live demonstration of CW Morse keying and basic HAM equipment.

Nature Walk
Following the event, a few participants embarked on a short trek to the adjacent lake, indulging in some peaceful bird-watching amidst nature—a fitting end to a vibrant day of learning and camaraderie. 

Gratitude
The organizers extend heartfelt thanks to the authorities of Indroda Park and Aranya Udyan for their warm hospitality and for granting access to the venue. Their support played a key role in making the event a grand success.