ARI Modena APS (IQ4AX): A Century of Innovation, Community, and Service

Modena, Italy – The A.R.I. (Associazione Radioamatori Italiani) Sezione di Modena APS, identified by its call sign IQ4AX, has been a dynamic force in the European amateur radio landscape since its inception. Located at STRADELLO SAN MARONE 15, 41126 MODENA MO, the section invites enthusiasts to their meetings on Fridays from 9:00 PM to 11:30 PM. For more information, you can contact President IU4FIT Di Martino Armando, or visit their website at www.arimodena.it.

A Storied Past: From Early Pioneers to Modern Innovations

The history of the Modena Section dates back to 1947, when early enthusiasts and experimenters – true amateur scientists – began to gather, laying the foundations for the vibrant section we know today. These early members of the Associazione Radiotecnica Italiana (founded in 1927) significantly contributed to postwar experiments, industry publications, public events, and institutional relations, all meticulously preserved in the section's archives.

In 1959, Modena became home to the Symposium V/U/SHF, a half-century-long tradition bringing together Italian radio amateurs for technical conferences, projects, and experiments.

A spontaneous flea market organized by members in 1987 blossomed into the unique Mercatino di Marzaglia. This outdoor gathering, now with over 60 editions and thousands of participants, is the largest European market for radio amateurs to meet and exchange equipment.

As technology advanced, so did the activities of Modena's radio amateurs, attracting enthusiasts of all ages. Some members established the second regional access point to the international amateur radio network, enabling text messages to be sent to electronic mailboxes (BBS), essentially pioneering internet-like communication before its widespread birth. Others delved into satellite communications, collaborating on projects to build and launch amateur radio satellites, with the founding act of AMSAT Italia even signed in nearby Sassuolo (MO).

Over the decades, the section has also organized significant cultural visits for members and interested parties, including trips to CERN, the Medicina Radiotelescope, Gran Sasso laboratories, and Telespazio.

Commitment to Community and Civil Protection

In 1995, ARI Modena was a founding association of the Provincial Council for Volunteering, one of the first coordination bodies for associations in the modern concept of Civil Protection. Here, the section played a crucial role in radiocommunications, contributing to the construction of the provincial radio room, organizing exercises, and training volunteers. Many members provided invaluable assistance during the 2012 Emilia earthquake.

Embracing New Technologies and Evolving Regulations

The section has always been at the forefront of technological advancements. In 2007, Modena hosted the first edition of an SDR (Software Defined Radio) conference, where the first prototype of an SDR radio was presented. Unbeknownst to participants, they were witnessing an early version of the Perseus software running on a development board.

The section has moved through various locations, from the AMCM premises in the 80s/90s to the META (later HERA) Employees' Club in the 2000s, and a brief stint at the Civico Planetario F. Martino. Since 2012, ARI Modena has collaborated with the municipal administration on the establishment of the Casa delle Associazioni (House of Associations), where it is still based and which it managed for several years.

In 2013, ARI Modena was among the first ARI sections in Italy, and the first in Emilia-Romagna, to begin the process of adapting to the evolving regulations for the Third Sector, adopting its own Statute and registering with regional registers for Social Promotion Associations and Civil Protection, thereby integrating ARI's associative life with growing legal requirements. In 2019, it further adapted its Social Statute to comply with Legislative Decree 117/2017 concerning associations and the Third Sector, preparing for migration to the RUNTS register.

A significant recent highlight occurred in July 2022, when a member of the Modena Section was elected President of ARI - Associazione Radioamatori Italiani, a position of national significance.

ARI Modena's enduring legacy of experimentation, public service, and community building makes it a cornerstone of Italian amateur radio.