TA2ZB 1979 Turkey

The recent articles on Turkey prompted me to write of my experiences there in 1979-80. I was posted to Izmir at the NATO headquarters there. I didn't take any amateur gear with me except a receiver. In those days, as I recall, amateur radio was active but with no "official" government licensing process. The Turkish Amateur Radio Club was active in promoting the formalization of amateur radio and published a monthly magazine available on newsstands.

I applied for membership in the TARC and received "permission" to sign TA3DX.

I didn't want to draw attention to myself operating in Izmir so I continued to be a SWL - eventually confirming over 100 countries for DXCC (through the International Short Wave League).

However, I did get to operate several times while visiting Istanbul as TA3DX/1 using the stations of TA1MD and TA1SU - and perhaps others. My QSL card was combined with my visit to Greece at the completion of my tour.

The Club was very friendly and I enjoyed visiting the club headquarters in Istanbul and meeting a highly motivated group of hams.

The fellow on the far left is Salim, TA1SU, who was President of the TRAC then. 4th from the left is Kemal, TA1MD. I think both of them got different calls after the formalization of amateur radio in Turkey.

Before I departed, I managed to get a 8mm copy of the ARRL film encouraging amateur radio (from Dave, W6AQ - who I believe produced/directed it) and gave it to the TARC. Hopefully, it was of help in the eventual formal recognition of amateur radio in Turkey.

Turkey was a wonderful experience and if you ever have a chance to visit - do it!

QSL's, Letter, Photo AI5P Collection