|
German Railway Amateurs Present :-
As early as the 1950’s German Railway Radio Amateurs were holding regular radio meetings. The first EFA group was formed in
Hamburg, within the ensuing years more than 30 groups throughout the Bundesrepublic were formed. They organised themselves as an independent hobby department under the umbrella of the Railway
Social Department of the then Deutsche Bundesbahn ( German State Railway ). The membership rose to over 1,000 members. It was not long before contacts were established with Railway Radio
Amateurs in neighbouring countries.
The first international meeting took place in 1960 in Geneva, further meetings ensued until in 1964 in Hamburg where , with
radio amateurs from 7 different countries present, the international association FIRAC (Federation Internationale des Radios cheminots ) ( engl. International Federation of Railway Radio Amateurs )
was founded under the motto “ Freundshchaft Ohne Grenzen” (engl. Friendship without Borders / Frontiers).
Railwaymen from the DDR were not allowed to join FIRAC. They were organised under the Department of Sport &
Technical. After the opening of the border they founded an organisation “ The Association of Railway Radio Amateurs of the Deutsche Reichsbahn” (engl. DDR State Railway) which worked in close
co-operation with it’s West German counterparts. They were then integrated into the Railway Social Department of the the Deutsche Reichsbahn until both social departments became integrated (East
& West) and everyone was under the auspices of the Railway Social Department – Hobbies Section.
The German Railway Radio Amateurs are organised within the Railway Social Department areas, 54 Club Stations meet on a
regular basis for radio communications, exchange of ideas, helping one another and also social contact & communication.
A lot of groups have a training call-sign. This means that people on training courses for extending/improving their
license can operate radios under supervision. The youngest member is just 11yrs old, whilst the oldest is 101 !! All installations in Club Stations can be used free of charge by all members,
providing of course that all the relevant licensing conditions are observed. The Railway Radio Amateurs are the German Association of FIRAC and are therefore attached to the Federation of Railway
Radio Amateurs.
Aims / Objectives of the German Railway Radio Amateurs.
· Care & furtherance of friendship, co-operation with all Railway Radio Amateurs within the Railway Social Department and also with the
Railway Radio Amateurs of all countries.
· Care of the co-operation with Radio Amateurs outside the Railway system, with the DARC (German Radio Hams Association) and other Amateur Radio
Clubs / Associations.
· Promoting & helping the members in all areas of activity and preparation for the exam.
· Undertaking regular radio contacts in all the various modes.
· Arranging regular Club evenings for the exchange of information and further learning.
· Partaking in Rallies and exhibitions in public & the recruiting of members.
· Working together with other hobby groups within the Railway Social Department. Railway Radio Amateurs have no political / religious
connections or aims.
Acivities.
There are plenty of regular radio contacts on all Bands. There are also regular Annual meeting and Congresses at Regional, National & International level at which, outside
the working sessions offer a wide-ranging & interesting programme. There is also enough time allowed to renew old friendships and make new ones.
In other International FIRAC contests on Short-wave using CW & SSB and SSB on VHF there are medals & certificates to be won.
There is also a special FIRAC Certificate for working the Club Station DL0EFA
The German Railway Radio Amateurs issue the EFA DL
Diploma for contacts with it’s members. This Diploma is recognised by the DARC.
In the regular issues of the information sheet, EFA
DL Members can obtain interesting and new information on EFA & FIRAC.
· Contact address for anyone interested :- DK9VB
|
