The Federación Mexicana de Radio Experimentadores (FMRE) -- Mexico’s IARU Member-Society -- celebrated its 80th anniversary on January 14. FMRE board members, director and hams from throughout Mexico attended the celebration at FMRE Headquarters in Mexico City.

The FMRE records show that the first time that Amateur Radio activities happened in Mexico occurred in 1918, when students at the National Preparatory School constructed radio equipment. Three years later, the Telegraph Department granted permission to install the first radio stations in the country, and three men -- Francisco Castro Herrera, Carlos Gonzalez and Carlos Palomino -- obtained permission to use a wavelength less than 200 meters. At this time, Mexican wireless operators felt the need for an Amateur Radio organization.

In 1922, the Colegio Francés la Liga Nacional de Radio was founded; in 1923, this group created its charter and changed its name to Liga Mexicana de Radio. The Club Central Mexicano de Radio (LCMR) was also founded in 1922. Shortly thereafter, they merged and formed the Liga Central Mexicana de Radio and began holding national meetings and publishing a magazine.

In November 1925, the Unión de Radioexperimentadores Mexicanos (UREM) was created, but fell apart four years later. Members from this club applied for IARU membership and organized the Conferencia Nacional de Radioaficionados, the forerunner of the Liga Mexicana de Radioexperimentadores. On January 10, 1932, these radio amateurs founded the Liga Mexicana de Radioexperimentadores. On December 8, 1988, the Liga changed its name to the Federación Mexicana de Radio Experimentadores.

For more on the history of the FMRE (in Spanish), please click here.