Telsiz ve Radyo Amatörleri Cemiyeti
Encyclopedia
The Telsiz ve Radyo Amatörleri Cemiyeti (TRAC) (in English
, Wireless and Radio Amateur Society) is a national non-profit organization
for amateur radio
enthusiasts in Turkey
. The organization was founded in 1962 as the Türkiye Radyo Amatörleri Cemiyeti, adopting its current name in 1980. With its headquarters located in Istanbul
, TRAC has branches in 46 locations across Turkey. TRAC is the national member society representing Turkey in the International Amateur Radio Union
.
training. TRAC published a monthly electronics magazine
, which was became a reference journal in Turkey for those who wanted to learn about electronics. The magazine was recommended by the Ministry of Education as a learning aid.
TRAC began lobbying
the government for amateur radio regulations two years after its formation. Two attempts to establish an amateur radio service in Turkey were made in 1964 and again in 1966. Joint proposals by the Ministry of Defence, TRAC, and the Electric Engineers' Association, these efforts to change the existing law found their way to a parliament
ary commission but were never put into the legislative agenda. Amateur radio regulations were finally established in 1983 with the passage of the Wireless Act. Historically, Turkey has suffered major natural disaster
s in which many have perished. Amateur radio's crucial importance and efficiency in establishing emergency communications
during disasters and emergencies was cited as a main reason for establishing an active amateur radio service in Turkey.
s and radio contests
, and a QSL
bureau for those members who regularly communicate with amateur radio operator
s in other countries. TRAC represents the interests of Turkish amateur radio operators before Turkish and international telecommunications regulatory authorities.
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, Wireless and Radio Amateur Society) is a national non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
for amateur radio
Amateur radio
Amateur radio is the use of designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication...
enthusiasts in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. The organization was founded in 1962 as the Türkiye Radyo Amatörleri Cemiyeti, adopting its current name in 1980. With its headquarters located in Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, TRAC has branches in 46 locations across Turkey. TRAC is the national member society representing Turkey in the International Amateur Radio Union
International Amateur Radio Union
The International Amateur Radio Union is an international confederation of national amateur radio organisations that allows a forum for common matters of concern and collectively represents matters to the International Telecommunication Union...
.
History
Due to the difficulties related to the existing government regulations at that time, the organization initially focused on electronicsElectronics
Electronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
training. TRAC published a monthly electronics magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
, which was became a reference journal in Turkey for those who wanted to learn about electronics. The magazine was recommended by the Ministry of Education as a learning aid.
TRAC began lobbying
Lobbying
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...
the government for amateur radio regulations two years after its formation. Two attempts to establish an amateur radio service in Turkey were made in 1964 and again in 1966. Joint proposals by the Ministry of Defence, TRAC, and the Electric Engineers' Association, these efforts to change the existing law found their way to a parliament
Grand National Assembly of Turkey
The Grand National Assembly of Turkey , usually referred to simply as the Meclis , is the unicameral Turkish legislature. It is the sole body given the legislative prerogatives by the Turkish Constitution. It was founded in Ankara on 23 April 1920 in the midst of the Turkish War of Independence...
ary commission but were never put into the legislative agenda. Amateur radio regulations were finally established in 1983 with the passage of the Wireless Act. Historically, Turkey has suffered major natural disaster
Natural disaster
A natural disaster is the effect of a natural hazard . It leads to financial, environmental or human losses...
s in which many have perished. Amateur radio's crucial importance and efficiency in establishing emergency communications
Amateur radio emergency communications
In times of crisis and natural disasters, amateur radio is often used as a means of emergency communication when wireline, cell phones and other conventional means of communications fail....
during disasters and emergencies was cited as a main reason for establishing an active amateur radio service in Turkey.
Activity
Key membership benefits of TRAC include the sponsorship of amateur radio operating awardAmateur radio operating award
An amateur radio operating award is earned by an amateur radio operator for establishing two-way communication with other amateur radio stations. Awards are sponsored by national amateur radio societies, radio enthusiast magazines, or amateur radio clubs, and aim to promote activity on the amateur...
s and radio contests
Contesting
Contesting is a competitive activity pursued by amateur radio operators. In a contest, an amateur radio station, which may be operated by an individual or a team, seeks to contact as many other amateur radio stations as possible in a given period of time and exchange information...
, and a QSL
QSL
QSL is one of the Q codes used in radiocommunication and radio broadcasting. A Q code message can stand for a statement or a question . In this case, QSL? means "do you confirm receipt of my transmission?" while QSL means "I confirm receipt of your transmission". Some also take it to mean "Query...
bureau for those members who regularly communicate with amateur radio operator
Amateur radio operator
An amateur radio operator is an individual who typically uses equipment at an amateur radio station to engage in two-way personal communications with other similar individuals on radio frequencies assigned to the amateur radio service. Amateur radio operators have been granted an amateur radio...
s in other countries. TRAC represents the interests of Turkish amateur radio operators before Turkish and international telecommunications regulatory authorities.