The cultural exchange aspect of amateur radio has been one of my favorite parts of the hobby. I can vividly remember the first few DX contacts that I made the summer I got my Extra class license during ARRL Field Day. I managed to break through a few pileups to Germany, Russia, and Slovenia, and was absolutely enthralled with how easily I could talk to amateur radio operators from other countries with merely (even though it sounds cliche) 100 watts and a wire strung in a tree.
After making those first few contacts, I spent every second that I could on the air chasing DX. This meant that while I was doing my sixth-grade schoolwork online due to the quarantine for the pandemic, I would spend nearly all day on 20 meters hoping to work a new DXCC entity. What I didn’t know then was just how much of an impact all of those quick, momentary DX QSOs were having on my desire to explore and familiarize myself with cultures other than my own. This is another of the infinite benefits of amateur radio, particularly for those in the younger demographic.
While it may not seem obvious at first, every QSO (even domestic ones) is a tiny exchange of culture, from language or dialect to numerous other aspects of culture. DX QSOs pave even more of a path for this cultural exchange. For me, this wasn’t just limited to brief HF contacts either. Organizations like YACHT (Young Amateur Communications Ham Team) and YOTA (Youth On The Air) made it possible for me to form long-lasting friendships with hams who lived abroad and even (in the case of YOTA) meet them in person.
These friendships served as inspiration for me to deepen my understanding and awareness of other cultures. It even led me to apply to spend my senior year of high school in Germany. Friendships like this are extremely valuable because, aside from the obvious benefit of having another friend, they allow us to be exposed to and learn about (even indirectly) another culture. This is beneficial because it breaks narrow stereotypes that we may occasionally place upon people from different backgrounds and inspires us to learn more about our own culture. And as stated in the FCC Part 97 Rules and Regulations, part of being an amateur radio operator is helping to “enhance international goodwill,” which is most effectively achieved through the person-to-person diplomacy that amateur radio facilitates.
On a less formal note, the cross-cultural friendships that are formed through amateur radio are more than just “diplomacy.” Having the opportunity to share a common hobby with millions of individuals around the world is truly invaluable, particularly when the amateur operators are as open and welcoming as they are. These friendships also serve as an excellent reminder that being an amateur radio operator is about more than winning a contest, the station you assemble, or any single accomplishment. It’s about the people you meet and the friendships you form along the way.
With that in mind, I couldn’t name a hobby with a more concrete network of caring and welcoming individuals that extends worldwide. Amateur radio provides a supportive and encouraging community, full of people who are excited to share the hobby no matter where in the world you are. I’m immensely excited to meet as many members of this community as possible, to share our cultures with each other, learn from one another, and enjoy amateur radio together—both this year on my exchange and in the future.
