Hong Kong Amateur Radio Transmitting Society
Encyclopedia
The Hong Kong Amateur Radio Transmitting Society (HARTS) (in traditional Chinese
, 香港業餘電台聯會) is an organization representing a majority of the amateur radio operator
s in Hong Kong
, China
. HARTS is a charitable institution recognized by the Inland Revenue Department
since early 2008. HARTS was established in the 1930s, when the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong was a dependent territory
of the United Kingdom
. HARTS is the member society representing Hong Kong in the International Amateur Radio Union
.
The organization's primary mission is to popularize and promote amateur radio in Hong Kong. HARTS operates and maintains beacons
and repeaters
at Tai Mo Shan
, Tate's Cairn
, Victoria Peak
, and Tin Shui Wai
. The organization has provided communications support for charitable groups
and events, and has formed a support network for amateur radio emergency communications
. One membership benefit of the organization is a QSL
bureau for members who regularly make communications with amateur radio operator
s in other countries.
Traditional Chinese character
Traditional Chinese characters refers to Chinese characters in any character set which does not contain newly created characters or character substitutions performed after 1946. It most commonly refers to characters in the standardized character sets of Taiwan, of Hong Kong, or in the Kangxi...
, 香港業餘電台聯會) is an organization representing a majority of the amateur radio operator
Amateur radio operator
An amateur radio operator is an individual who typically uses equipment at an amateur radio station to engage in two-way personal communications with other similar individuals on radio frequencies assigned to the amateur radio service. Amateur radio operators have been granted an amateur radio...
s in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. HARTS is a charitable institution recognized by the Inland Revenue Department
Inland Revenue Department (Hong Kong)
The Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong Government is one of Hong Kong government departments which is responsible for the administration of the following Hong Kong ordinances on taxes and duties and the related rules and regulations:Betting Duty Ordinance Cap.108Business Registration...
since early 2008. HARTS was established in the 1930s, when the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong was a dependent territory
Dependent territory
A dependent territory, dependent area or dependency is a territory that does not possess full political independence or sovereignty as a State, and remains politically outside of the controlling state's integral area....
of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. HARTS is the member society representing Hong Kong in the International Amateur Radio Union
International Amateur Radio Union
The International Amateur Radio Union is an international confederation of national amateur radio organisations that allows a forum for common matters of concern and collectively represents matters to the International Telecommunication Union...
.
The organization's primary mission is to popularize and promote amateur radio in Hong Kong. HARTS operates and maintains beacons
Radio propagation beacon
A radio propagation beacon is a radio beacon, whose purpose is the investigation of the propagation of radio signals. Most radio propagation beacons use amateur radio frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies...
and repeaters
Amateur radio repeater
An amateur radio repeater is an electronic device that receives a weak or low-level amateur radio signal and retransmits it at a higher level or higher power, so that the signal can cover longer distances without degradation...
at Tai Mo Shan
Tai Mo Shan
Tai Mo Shan has the highest peak in Hong Kong, with an altitude of 957 m. It is located approximately at the geographical centre of the New Territories....
, Tate's Cairn
Tate's Cairn
Tate's Cairn is one of many mountain peaks in Hong Kong. The peak is 583 metres in height. It is a member of the Kowloon Ridge and within Ma On Shan Country Park.The name is used by a tunnel that travels under the peak...
, Victoria Peak
Victoria Peak
Victoria Peak is a mountain in Hong Kong. It is also known as Mount Austin, and locally as The Peak. The mountain is located in the western half of Hong Kong Island...
, and Tin Shui Wai
Tin Shui Wai
Tin Shui Wai is an area of Hong Kong, located in Yuen Long District, in the northwestern part of the New Territories. Originally a gei wai fish pond area, the ponds were reclaimed for the development of Tin Shui Wai New Town in the late 1980s...
. The organization has provided communications support for charitable groups
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
and events, and has formed a support network for amateur radio emergency communications
Amateur radio emergency communications
In times of crisis and natural disasters, amateur radio is often used as a means of emergency communication when wireline, cell phones and other conventional means of communications fail....
. One membership benefit of the organization is a QSL
QSL
QSL is one of the Q codes used in radiocommunication and radio broadcasting. A Q code message can stand for a statement or a question . In this case, QSL? means "do you confirm receipt of my transmission?" while QSL means "I confirm receipt of your transmission". Some also take it to mean "Query...
bureau for members who regularly make communications with amateur radio operator
Amateur radio operator
An amateur radio operator is an individual who typically uses equipment at an amateur radio station to engage in two-way personal communications with other similar individuals on radio frequencies assigned to the amateur radio service. Amateur radio operators have been granted an amateur radio...
s in other countries.
See also
- Associação dos Radioamadores de MacauAssociação dos Radioamadores de MacauThe Associação dos Radioamadores de Macau is a non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Macau, China. ARM was established in Macau when the Special Administrative Region was still a dependent territory of Portugal...
- Chinese Radio Sports AssociationChinese Radio Sports AssociationThe Chinese Radio Sports Association is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in the People's Republic of China. The CRSA's primary mission is to popularize and promote amateur radio in China...
- Chinese Taipei Amateur Radio LeagueChinese Taipei Amateur Radio LeagueThe Chinese Taipei Amateur Radio League is a national non-profit organization based in Taiwan for amateur radio enthusiasts in the Republic of China...