Lietuvos Radijo Mėgėjų Draugija
National non-profit representing Lithuanian amateur radio operators.
The Lietuvos Radijo Mėgėjų Draugija (LRMD), or Lithuanian Amateur Radio Society, is a national non-profit group for amateur radio enthusiasts in Lithuania. It advocates for Lithuanian amateur radio operators with telecommunications regulators at the Lithuanian, European, and international levels, and is the country’s member society in the International Amateur Radio Union.
The society was founded in 1938 and reactivated in 1988. In 1939, the IARU recognized it as Lithuania’s national member. By 1940, its members included 64 licensed transmitter operators and a number of radio listeners. The government granted LRMD full legal status as an official organization.
In 1939, Lithuanian law governed amateur radio operations. A shortwave transmitter permit required applicants to be at least seventeen and to pass exams. New licensees could only use telegraphy in their first year; telephony was allowed from the second year. Permits allowed 50 watts of anode power, with a possible increase to 1000 watts after two years. On September 17, 1939, as war approached the border, all private transmitters—including amateur stations—were shut down.
On October 28, 1939, after the Red Army left Vilnius, radio amateurs Petras Vanagaitis (LY1J) and Julius Šatas (LY1S) were the first to enter the city. They restored the damaged Vilnius radio station (formerly Polish Radio Wilno), whose transmitters in Liepkalnis operated on 536 kHz. They also visited local Polish amateurs, but most had joined the Polish army or the Red Army and left.
After the Soviet–Lithuanian Mutual Assistance Treaty, a period of relative calm allowed transmitters to resume on January 7, 1940, though communication with belligerent European states was banned. That same day, LRMD held a general meeting in Kaunas, electing a new committee: Petras Vanagaitis-Jastržemskis (LY1J) as president (his second term), Simas Grina (LY1AR) as secretary, Stepas Dedonis as treasurer, Antanas Sausionis (Sušinskas, LY1BG) as QSL manager, and Jonas Vilkaitis as general manager.
Modern LRMD activity is largely recorded in the magazine LY-QTC, published from 1989 to 2011. In 2013, the society supported LituanicaSAT-1, Lithuania’s first nanosatellite in low Earth orbit.
Quick Facts
- Abbreviation
- LRMD
- Formation
- 2 October 1938
- Purpose
- Advocacy, Education
- Location
- Vilnius, Lithuania / 54.7174 · 25.25854 · yes
- Region Served
- Lithuania
- Language
- Lithuanian
- Leader Title
- Chairman
- Leader Name
- Tadas Vyšniauskas LY2BAW
- Affiliations
- International Amateur Radio Union
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The society was founded in 1938 and was recognized as the national member for Lithuania by the IARU in 1939. In 1940, LRMD members included 64 who had permits for transmitters and others as radio listeners. Operations of Lithuanian radio amateurs were subject to laws issued by the Lithuanian government in 1939; permits to keep a short wave transmitter were given to individuals not younger than seventeen who had passed necessary examinations. During the first year, newly licensed amateurs could work only telegraph, with telephone permitted from the second year. The permit allowed 50W of anode power, and after two years it was possible to request a permit to increase power to 1000W.
Owing to war operations in 1939, at 6 o'clock on 17 September 1939 the work of all private radio transmitters in Lithuania, including amateur stations, was ceased. On 28 October 1939, after the Battle of Wilno, radio amateurs Petras Vanagaitis LY1J and Julius Šatas LY1S visited Vilnius and restored the Vilnius radio station (Polish Radio Wilno) back into operations; its transmitters worked on 536 kHz. After the Soviet–Lithuanian Mutual Assistance Treaty, Lithuanian radio amateurs were allowed to operate transmitters again starting 7 January 1940, though communication between belligerent states in Europe was forbidden. On that same day, a general meeting elected a new LRMD committee with Petras Vanagaitis-Jastržemskis LY1J as president.
Most modern-time LRMD activity is documented in the LY-QTC magazine, published from 1989 to 2011. In 2013, LRMD supported the LituanicaSAT-1 project, the first Lithuanian nanosatellite in low Earth orbit. Since 2013, LRMD has participated in the IARU 'Youngsters on the air' initiative and, together with Lietuvos Skautija, hosts annual Jamboree on the Air events.
Reader's Guide
The Lietuvos Radijo Mėgėjų Draugija holds significance as the sole national amateur radio society for Lithuania, representing the country's operators before domestic and international regulatory bodies. Its history reflects the disruptions of World War II, with operations suspended in September 1939 due to approaching war and later resumed in January 1940 under restrictions. The society's early structure, including licensing rules and power limits, illustrates the regulatory environment of the period. In modern times, LRMD has contributed to space technology through the LituanicaSAT-1 nanosatellite project and engages youth via the 'Youngsters on the air' initiative and annual Jamboree on the Air events co-hosted with the national scouting organization. The society maintains a QSL bureau, sponsors operating awards and contests, and hosts an annual hamfest. With 375 active members, LRMD continues to serve the Lithuanian amateur radio community through publications, web services, and event organization.
Did You Know?
- LRMD was founded in 1938 and re-activated in 1988.
- In 1939, newly licensed amateurs could only use telegraph during their first year.
- On 28 October 1939, radio amateurs Petras Vanagaitis LY1J and Julius Šatas LY1S restored the Vilnius radio station after the Battle of Wilno.
- LRMD supported LituanicaSAT-1, the first Lithuanian nanosatellite in low Earth orbit, in 2013.
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