Amateur Radio in Seine-Maritime: A Departmental Network of Enthusiasts

SEINE-MARITIME, France — In the department of Seine-Maritime (76), the amateur radio community thrives through a collaborative network of associations, even without a single presiding figure at the departmental level. The central online hub, http://fdarsm.free.fr, serves as a key resource for radio enthusiasts across the region, reflecting a decentralized yet active approach to fostering the hobby.

The crucial role of QSL Manager for the department is handled by M. Didier Guillebert (F4DJG), ensuring that international contacts are efficiently confirmed and processed.

Key Associations and Specialized Groups

The departmental network encompasses a variety of associations, each contributing to the diverse landscape of amateur radio in Seine-Maritime:

• ADRASEC 76: The "Association Départementale de RadioAmateurs au service de la sécurité civile" (Departmental Association of Radio Amateurs for Civil Security) plays a vital role in emergency communications, demonstrating the public service aspect of the hobby.
• A.D.T.R - F8KGK: The "Association pour le Développement des Techniques RadioAmateurs" (Association for the Development of Amateur Radio Techniques) focuses on advancing the technical aspects of the hobby.

Beyond these, several local radio clubs form the backbone of the community:

• ANTA-76: The "Groupement Départementale de Télévision Amateur de Seine Maritime" (Departmental Amateur Television Group of Seine-Maritime) caters to enthusiasts of amateur television.
• ARADAS - F5KDV: The Radio Club de Dieppe.
• D.R.C. - F6KUM: The Dieppe Radio Club.
• R.C.N - F5KAR: The Radio-Club de Normandie.
• S.H.T.S.F. - F6KOH: The Société Havraise de TSF.

These diverse groups highlight the varied interests within the amateur radio community, from emergency preparedness to experimental television and general communication.

Federative Activities and Special Events

The departmental network also engages in broader activities, as reflected in its "Divers" section:

• Contacting the Federation: Information on reaching out to the federation members.
• Bureau Members & Council Meetings: Transparency regarding the administrative structure, including minutes from past General Assemblies, such as the one held on May 11, 2003, in Forges Les Eaux.
• Ref-Union Site & F8REF Bulletin: Links to national REF resources and the official bulletin.
• "RadioAmateur c'est quoi ?": Educational content explaining the essence of amateur radio.

A notable past event was the special callsign TM5HN, activated from September 8 to September 21, 2003, for an "Exposition Radio & Informatique" in Vittefleur. This callsign was active across all HF and VHF bands, with Christophe F5UBH serving as the QSL Manager. During the weekend of September 20-21, 2003, TM5HN specifically activated the Vittefleur Mill and the Château de Vittefleur, with the château bearing the DFCF reference 76022.

The active participation of these associations, coordinated through the departmental network, ensures a robust and dynamic amateur radio presence in Seine-Maritime, connecting enthusiasts and contributing to broader communication and technical pursuits.