Trinidad and Tobago Amateur Radio Society - History

History

The first amateur radio contact from Trinidad and Tobago was made in 1929 by an airline co-pilot by the name of Colin Fraser with another radio operator, S. R. Connelly, W3BCR from Pennsylvania, USA. Colin later adopted the callsign VP4CF. This contact was made using morse code on the 40 meter amateur band. A few other operators soon joined him, building radios from plans and kits. Since amateur radio in Trinidad was not regulated or licensed, most amateurs used arbitrary callsigns.

One of the early pioneers in Trinidad, Paul Alonzo, VP4TK, used amateur radio to broadcast cricket results on the 40 meter band. His equipment was later seized by the local police and he was charged for operating radio equipment without a license. Public outcry from citizens made it evident that licensing and regulation was needed.

After World War II there were many changes made to amateur radio. Government regulation and licensing was put into effect. Since a formal procedure was now established, many people joined the hobby. In response to this, several local hams founded the first radio club in Trinidad in 1951 as a means of self-regulation and coordination of amateur radio activities. It was called the Amateur Radio Society of Trinidad and Tobago (ARSTT). It functioned until 1959 when it became dormant. Another local club, the South Trinidad Amateur Radio Society (STARS) was formed at that time.

In 1961, ARSTT was reactivated under the name of TTARS, the Trinidad and Tobago Amateur Radio Society, a name which it retains to this day. TTARS was eventually incorporated by Act of Parliament: Act 13/1981.

In 2001, The REACT International Convention was held in Trinidad and Tobago, with the support of TTARS.