About Friendship Radio Games
August 7 to 11 - Victoria, B. C. Canada
The friendship radio games originated with amateur radio members
of the Khabarovsk Friendship Society in Eastern Russia. Friendship
societies (in North America we tend to call them 'sister-city'
societies) exist in many cities, and their purpose is to foster direct,
person-to-person contact with like minded people in other countries
to promote international goodwill and understanding. The activities
of the friendship societies include arranging personal or business
visits by individuals, cultural exchanges by touring music, dance,
or other art groups, etc.
The Friendship Amateur Radio Games extended the person-to-person
contact already inherent in radio communication to actual visiting
the corresponding cities to participate in friendly competitions,
visiting, and generally enjoying one another's company. The games
were first hosted by Khabarovsk in 1989, and have continued at one of
Portland, USA, Victoria, Canada, Tokyo, Japan every other year since.
The competitions staged vary slightly according to the host organization's
wishes, but usually have included Morse code sending and receiving, a
high-frequency radio operating contest, and a VHF only amateur radio
direction finding on foot event. The events are oriented to teams from
the participating countries, with awards (honour and glory only, no
money) to the top three teams in each of the events. As well, there are
usually local tours and a variety of non-radio activities.
More info about individual events:
ARDF CW HF
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