National Radio Day: Celebrating the Technology That Keeps Us Connected

Celebrate National Radio Day on 20 August and discover how radio evolved from early wireless broadcasts to DAB, internet stations, podcasts and smart speakers.

Every year on 20 August, National Radio Day celebrates one of the most influential communication technologies ever developed.

Radio may have been with us for more than a century, but it has never stopped evolving. From the crystal sets and the humming, crackling wireless sets of the early 20th century to DAB radios, internet stations, smartphone apps and smart speakers, radio has repeatedly adapted to changes in technology and listening habits.

The invention of radio cannot be credited to just one person. Scientists and inventors including James Clerk Maxwell, Heinrich Hertz, Nikola Tesla and Guglielmo Marconi all contributed to the discoveries that made wireless communication possible.

Here in Britain, radio broadcasting became part of everyday life during the 1920s. The BBC began regular broadcasts in 1922, bringing news, music, drama, education and entertainment directly into people’s homes. Radio soon became an essential source of information, particularly during the Second World War.

Although television and, later, the internet appeared to threaten its survival, radio proved remarkably resilient.

Today, millions of people still listen while driving, working, cooking or relaxing. Radio remains a companion that does not demand our full visual attention. We can listen while carrying out other tasks, something that gives it a considerable advantage over television and online video.

Modern radio is far more technologically sophisticated than the wireless sets of the past. Digital Audio Broadcasting, better known as DAB, allows more stations to share the available airwaves while providing additional information such as programme names, song titles and news headlines.

Internet radio has removed geographical boundaries altogether. A listener in Shropshire can tune into a local station in Scotland, Australia, Canada or almost anywhere else in the world. Small independent broadcasters can now reach international audiences without needing access to an expensive traditional transmitter.

Smartphones and smart speakers have also transformed listening. Asking a digital assistant to play a favourite station takes only a few seconds, while catch-up services allow programmes to be heard long after their original transmission.

The distinction between radio and podcasting is becoming increasingly blurred. Many radio programmes are made available as podcasts, while successful podcasts are sometimes adapted for broadcast. Audio technology is creating a flexible world in which live and on-demand listening can exist side by side.

Radio also remains important during emergencies. Battery-powered and wind-up receivers can continue operating during power cuts or when mobile networks and broadband services are disrupted. For that reason, keeping a portable radio and spare batteries in an emergency kit is still sensible advice.

National Radio Day is an opportunity to celebrate presenters, producers, journalists, engineers and technicians, along with the radio amateurs and community broadcasters who keep the airwaves alive.

It is also the perfect excuse to tune into a station you have never heard before, rediscover a favourite programme or retrieve an old radio from the cupboard.

Radio has survived technological revolutions because it has changed with them. Whether it reaches us through FM, DAB, satellite, the internet or a smart speaker, its basic appeal remains the same: a human voice, travelling across the distance, keeping us informed, entertained and connected.

Happy National Radio Day from That’s Technology!

World Amateur Radio Day: Why Ham Radio Still Matters in the Digital Age

Celebrate World Amateur Radio Day by exploring how amateur radio connects the world, supports emergency communications, and inspires technology innovation.

Every year on 18 April, radio enthusiasts around the world celebrate World Amateur Radio Day, a day dedicated to recognising the innovation, community spirit, and technological legacy of amateur radio operators.

The date marks the founding of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) in 1925, an organisation created to support and represent amateur radio operators globally. Nearly a century later, amateur radio, often known as “ham radio”, remains one of the most fascinating and enduring communication technologies ever developed.

A Technology That Connects the World

Amateur radio allows licensed operators to communicate across towns, continents, and even into space using radio frequencies allocated for non-commercial experimentation and communication. Unlike internet-based communication platforms, amateur radio works independently of the digital infrastructure most people rely on today.

Operators use specially designed radio equipment and antennas to transmit voice, Morse code, digital signals, and images across the airwaves. Many hobbyists enjoy experimenting with radio propagation, antenna design, and new digital communication modes. 

For technology enthusiasts, amateur radio offers a unique blend of engineering, physics, and hands-on experimentation. It’s one of the few hobbies where individuals can build their own equipment, modify antennas, and directly explore how radio waves behave in the real world.

Amateur Radio in Space

One of the most exciting aspects of amateur radio is its connection with space exploration. Through the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station programme (ARISS), students and radio operators can communicate directly with astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

These live contacts inspire students to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, while demonstrating the enduring value of radio communication technology.

And for over 70 years a dedicated sub-group of radio hams have used the moon as a reflector to communicate back to other radio hams. It's known as moonbounce or EME (Earth-Moon-Earth communications).

But there's more to amateur radio than admittedly fun experiments. Because it's also a lifeline during emergencies.

Despite the rise of mobile networks and the internet, amateur radio still plays a vital role during emergencies. When natural disasters damage communication infrastructure, radio operators often step in to provide vital links between communities, emergency responders, and relief organisations.

Because amateur radio networks can operate independently using portable equipment and batteries, they remain resilient when other systems fail.

Innovation from the Grassroots

Historically, amateur radio operators have contributed significantly to technological innovation. Advances in radio propagation studies, digital communication modes, satellite communication, and even early wireless experimentation all owe something to amateur radio experimentation.

Many professional engineers, broadcasters, and telecommunications specialists first discovered their passion for technology through amateur radio.

Why Amateur Radio Still Matters

In a world dominated by smartphones and instant messaging, amateur radio continues to offer something unique: direct, human-to-human communication powered purely by technology and curiosity.

World Amateur Radio Day is a reminder that innovation often begins with passionate individuals experimenting, learning, and connecting with others. From backyard antennas to contacts with astronauts orbiting the Earth, amateur radio proves that the spirit of exploration is still alive on the airwaves.

For anyone fascinated by communication technology, electronics, or experimentation, amateur radio remains one of the most rewarding hobbies in the world, and a powerful reminder that sometimes the most exciting connections still travel through the air.

https://www.iaru.org