Arnie Coro
Cuban ham radio guru and cofounder of Radio Havana.
Arnaldo Coro Antích, widely known as Arnie Coro, was a Cuban radio personality, educator, and ham radio enthusiast. He helped establish Radio Havana and hosted its English-language program *DXers Unlimited*, which aired twice weekly. Coro also taught broadcasting at the University of Havana. His amateur radio call sign was CO2KK. In Cuba, he is regarded as the leading figure among ham radio operators, credited with sparking greater interest in the hobby locally and attracting a large following in the United States. Because radio equipment was hard to obtain, he built his own gear from salvaged parts of old radios, Soviet-era televisions, and fax machines. His fascination with long-distance transmission began in childhood after his father bought a television set, leading him into TV DX. During a 48-hour leave from military service, he saw a Douglas B-26 Invader finish a strafing run near his home, which alerted him to the start of the Bay of Pigs Invasion. He also took part in capturing prisoners—some of whom were former schoolmates—in the Zapata Swamp. Coro died on 8 January 2023 at age 80.
- Birth
- 2 July 1942
- Death
- 8 January 2023
- Call sign
- CO2KK
- Occupation
- Radio host, academic, amateur radio operator
- Notable program
- DXers Unlimited (Radio Havana Cuba)
- Affiliation
- University of Havana (professor of broadcasting)
Lore & Background
Coro's interest in long-distance transmission began in childhood after his father bought a television set, leading him into TV DX. While on a 48-hour leave from military duties, he witnessed a Douglas B-26 Invader finishing a strafing run on an airport near his home, which alerted him to the start of the Bay of Pigs Invasion. He was also involved in capturing prisoners, some of whom were former schoolmates, in the Zapata Swamp. In Cuba, Coro is regarded as the guru of ham radio operators and is credited with increasing interest in Cuban amateur radio operation, garnering many fans in the United States. Due to the difficulty in acquiring radio equipment, he assembled his gear from pieces of old radios, Soviet-era television sets, and fax machines.
Reader's Guide
Coro's significance lies in his role as a central figure in Cuban amateur radio, where he is considered the guru of ham radio operators. He is credited with sparking greater interest in Cuban amateur radio operation and building a substantial following in the United States. His ability to construct functional radio equipment from salvaged parts—old radios, Soviet-era television sets, and fax machines—highlighted the resourcefulness required under Cuba's equipment shortages. Through his twice-weekly program DXers Unlimited on Radio Havana Cuba, he reached an international audience and promoted the hobby. His legacy includes inspiring a generation of Cuban operators and fostering cross-border connections with American enthusiasts, despite political tensions.
Did You Know?
- He witnessed a Douglas B-26 Invader strafing an airport near his home while on leave from military duties, alerting him to the Bay of Pigs Invasion.
- He cofounded Radio Havana and hosted the English-language show DXers Unlimited.
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