Association Tunisienne des Radioamateurs
Tunisia's first legally recognized amateur radio association.
The Association Tunisienne des Radioamateurs (ASTRA) is a scientific, non-profit organization dedicated to amateur radio. It was the first association of its kind in Tunisia to pursue legal status, having been founded in 1997 and officially recognized by the Tunisian government, as announced in the Official Journal of the Tunisian Republic. On December 10, 2011, in commemoration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Tunisian radio amateurs regained full rights to organize and establish their own association, a result of the Tunisian civil revolution and its martyrs. ASTRA has been officially recognized as the representative body for Tunisia within the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) since 1998, per Circular No. 175 of October 12, 1998.
The association’s goals include promoting and supporting amateur radio to build national expertise in radio communications through self-training; organizing amateur radio in Tunisia for the benefit of the national community; providing equipment and expertise for emergency communications; representing and defending amateur radio interests with national, regional, and international authorities; contributing to scientific and technological research in telecommunications and radio; strengthening friendly relations among radio amateurs to foster ties between people and spread humanitarian values of peace; and introducing Tunisia’s cultural heritage and wealth.
Quick Facts
- Abbreviation
- ASTRA
- Formation
- December 10, 2011
- Purpose
- Advocacy, Education
- Headquarters
- Bab Mnara, Tunis
- Location
- Tunis, Tunisia / 36.793924 · 10.169953 · yes
- Region Served
- Tunisia
- Language
- Arabic
- Leader Title
- President
- Leader Name
- Anis CHABCHOUB
- Affiliations
- International Amateur Radio Union
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Association Tunisienne des Radioamateurs (ASTRA) was established in 1997 as the first association in Tunisia to attempt legal recognition for amateur radio activity. It was eventually recognized by the Tunisian government, as shown in an article published in the Official Journal of the Tunisian Republic. On December 10, 2011, commemorating the World Declaration of Human Rights, Tunisian radio amateurs regained their full rights to organize and have their own association, a development attributed to the Tunisian civil revolution and its martyrs. ASTRA has been officially recognized as the association representing Tunisia at the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) since 1998, as indicated in Circular No. 175 of October 12, 1998.
Reader's Guide
ASTRA's significance lies in its role as the first legally recognized amateur radio association in Tunisia, marking a milestone for the country's amateur radio community. Its goals include disseminating and supporting amateur radio to provide national expertise in radio communications through self-training, organizing the field of amateur radio in the interest of the national community, and providing equipment and expertise for emergency communications. The association also represents and defends the interests of amateur radio with organizations and authorities at national, regional, and international levels, contributes to scientific and technological research in telecommunications, strengthens friendly relations among radio amateurs to promote peace, and introduces Tunisian cultural heritage. Its legacy is tied to the restoration of full organizational rights for radio amateurs in 2011, following the Tunisian civil revolution, and its ongoing representation of Tunisia within the IARU since 1998.
Did You Know?
- ASTRA was founded in 1997 as the first amateur radio association in Tunisia to seek legal recognition.
- The association was officially recognized by the Tunisian government and published in the Official Journal of the Tunisian Republic.
- On December 10, 2011, Tunisian radio amateurs regained full rights to organize, attributed to the Tunisian civil revolution.
- ASTRA has represented Tunisia at the International Amateur Radio Union since 1998.
More in Amateur Radio Organizations, Part 2 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced