ARI Ferrara (IQ4FA): A Rich History of Amateur Radio in the City of Este

Ferrara, Italy – The A.R.I. (Associazione Radioamatori Italiani) Sezione di Ferrara, operating under the call sign IQ4FA, is a deeply rooted local chapter for amateur radio enthusiasts. More than just a beautiful art city, Ferrara holds a significant place in the origins of Italian radio, making this section one of the oldest in Italy.

The section is located at VIA ALFONSO I D'ESTE 7, 44123 FERRARA FE. You can contact IZ4GJI Zagni Alessio for more information. The section is open on Tuesdays from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM. For further details, visit their website: www.ari-ferrara.it.

Our History: Pioneers of Italian Amateur Radio

Ferrara was a pioneering center in Italian radio activity. In December 1924, from the north-west tower of the famous Estense Castle, I1AA began transmitting. This was a momentous occasion, as it marked the first Italian amateur radio station with an officially assigned call sign from the government.

I1AA was built and operated by Engineer Pietro Lana (I1BU, later I1BFU, and finally I4BFU), alongside his friends, Engineer Lionello Boni (I1AO) and Engineer Mario Chiozzi. These individuals had already been passionate about radio construction for at least a decade.

Lana, Boni, and Chiozzi were also among the founders of one of the first Italian Amateur Radio Associations, the "SOCIETÀ FERRARESE AMICI DELLE RADIOCOMUNICAZIONI," established on December 9, 1923. It was through the merger of this and other contemporary associations that the Associazione Radiotecnica Italiana was born in January 1927, eventually becoming the Associazione Radioamatori Italiani (ARI) we know today.

The ARI Ferrara Section, as the direct heir of the "Società Ferrarese Amici delle Radiocomunicazioni," is therefore one of the very first ARI Sections in Italy, tracing its origins back to the founding of the national association itself.

The section was formally re-founded in 1946 with the re-establishment of ARI after World War II. Engineer Pietro Lana served as the first post-war President, with Franco Moretti as Secretary. Engineer Lana remained one of the section's most distinguished members until his passing on November 2, 1983, after which the section was named in his honor.

Alongside Pietro Lana, another renowned pioneer of amateur radio communications who brought prestige to the Ferrara Section was Franco Moretti (I4FP). Franco, who recently passed away, was an undisputed protagonist of Italian radio from the immediate post-war period.

The History of Radio in Ferrara: A Detailed Account

The history of radio in Ferrara dates back to the very early 1900s, when high school students were captivated by Marconi's experiments. Ferrara quickly became a hub for the nascent Italian radio movement and played a crucial role in the formation of ARI.

Giangiacomo Fabbri, I4FGG, a true Ferrarian and an emeritus president of the ARI Ferrara section, has dedicated decades to recovering and preserving the memories and artifacts of early radio pioneers. He recently created a concise yet detailed overview of the salient facts in Ferrara's radio history for the ARI Ferrara section. This work is given to all new members of the ARI Ferrara section to ensure that the knowledge of Ferrara's great radio tradition is disseminated, preserved, and passed down through generations.

The work is available for download in PDF format from their website. If you prefer a printed copy, you can contact the section at radioamatori@ari-ferrara.it.