The Estec Radio Club's main purpose is to support the radio amateur activities of ESTEC staff members and contractors interested in this hobby. For this aim, the club has a modern radio station (with the Dutch call sign PI9ESA) located in the ESCAPE building.

What is Amateur Radio?

Amateur radio, often called ham radio, is both a hobby and a service in which participants, called "hams," use various types of radio communications equipment to communicate with other radio amateurs for public service, recreation and self-training.

Amateur radio operators enjoy personal (and often worldwide) wireless communications with each other and are able to support their communities with emergency and disaster communications if necessary, while increasing their personal knowledge of electronics and radio theory. An estimated six million people throughout the world are regularly involved with amateur radio. The term "amateur" reflects the principle that amateur radio and its skilled operators are committed to helping communities without financial compensation; whereas commercial radio operates for profit.

Some extra information:

• American Radio Relay League
• International Amateur Radio Union - Region 1
• ARISS-Europe