“The Ethiopian Amateur Radio Society (EARS) has honored 17 candidates; most of them young Ethiopians,who have successfully completed a course in basic electronics and amateur radio operating procedures. The students received certificates from Mr.Sidney May, advisor to the club. The certificates were based on their passing scores on an examination with standards set by the City and Guilds of London Institute in the United Kingdom.

In the words of Mr. May a group of radio Amateurs visited Ethiopia in January 1993, with their equipment to operate  from the country. He said that it was during this time the existing licensed amateurs namely ET3AZ, 9E2A, ET3SID, 9F2CW and ET3DX formed, with other interested persons, the Ethiopian Amateur Radio Society in name.”
ETHIOPIAN HERALD 12 NOVEMBER 1995

As of January 18, 2012,

Sidney T. May- AB3OZ,
Hailemelekot Negussie – AB3OX,
Brook G. Yohannes – AB3OY,
Nigussu Solomon – AB3PB,
Shiferaw Yinessu – AB3PA and
Dagmawit Solomon – KB3WWY , have been approved as ARRL VE’s.

Now They can conduct exams of their own and produce more Radio Amateur’s  in Ethiopia. Congratulations to all of you.

[ Picture will be available soon..]

The National Capitol DX Association named ET3SID/AB3OZ DXer of the Year. The award was presented to ET3SID by K3LP, the president of NCDXA.

Amente Bullo,a club member and our IARU liason, represented EARS on the 22nd IARU Region 1 General Conference ,SunCity,SouthAfirca hosted by SARL(South African Radio League).The conference lasted from August 12-19. Amente Bullo reflected the general interest of EARS in the International Union.He also expressed the activities of EARS to delegates that came form 54 countries representing Africa and Europe.Below is a group picture taken at the conference,

Article by IARU-R1, www.iaru-r1.org

On 30 May 2011 the reopening of the club station of EARS, our Ethiopian member society took place. Professor Doctor Heiko Schroeder, Head of the Technical Faculty of the University of Addis Ababa and Hans Blondeel Timmerman, President of IARU Region 1 cut the ribbon. Donations from STARS and others helped to enable the revival of ET3AA. Led by Sid ET3SID the club installed their their shack and built antennas on top of the roof of the Technical Faculty of the University of Addis Ababa. Not an easy job, because before they could safely install equipment in the shack they had to repair the roof  with flame and tar. To be allowed to do this they had to repair the water pumps of the fire extinguishing system that had not been used for almost 15 years. The team did a great job fixing it all and they now look at a station crowned by their “dream beam”, a 17 element 6-30 MHz log-periodic antenna that once belonged to one of the Embassies in Addis and that was saved from the scrapyard.

By the end of July more than 25 club members will take the Radio Amateur Exam. Among the candidates are many young students and all are hoping to receive their individual licenses soon. Unfortunately Ethiopian Security still controls the licensing system. I am afraid that more work has to be done to convince the authorities that today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders and that in principle they are good Ethiopians who deserve their government’s confidence. Another hurdle to overcome is the examination fee of 25 Pounds, a one month’s salary in Ethiopia. Club members plan to have an activity week. Green stamps that come with the QSL cards will be used to pay for their RAE. The mail to their new P.O. Box is safe.

After broadcasting the opening on the national television, the club received a great number of applications for membership.

Here are pictures for the event from our gallery:ET3AA inauguration.