The hum of a single-cylinder engine and the rush of wind against my helmet are the familiar sounds of a solo journey. But on this trip to Anyer, the soundtrack of the road is punctuated by something else entirely: the crackle of a two-way radio connecting me not just with other riders, but with a community that stretches far beyond the horizon. It’s a modern twist on a timeless hobby.
In the old days, before cell phones became a common sight, amateur radio operators relied on local repeaters and powerful HF radios to bridge vast distances. While that spirit of connection still drives us, the latest evolution has taken the hobby to the next level. The availability of amateur radio satellites—orbiting the Earth and carrying their own repeaters—has opened up a whole new realm of communication. It’s a technology that blends our sense of adventure with the thrill of making a contact from space, proving that amateur radio is more relevant than ever. This is a journey that connects the passion for the open road with a network that circles the globe, and it’s what drives members of ORARI, the Indonesian Amateur Radio Organization, to keep pushing the boundaries of wireless communication.
Thick smoke, a bumpy road, and the sizzling hot sun couldn’t kill our Amateur Radio spirit. We rode in a coordinated fashion, methodically overtaking one car after another. After what felt like forever, we reached Wisma Anyer, our home for the next two days. The sun was high above the ocean as we straightened our backs, making them pop and crack with a satisfying noise. We joined the others who had already arrived, finding a spot under the shade of a big tree. A fried banana and a cup of coffee recharged our energy, while the cool ocean breeze soon made our eyes feel heavy.
But there was no time to rest yet. We sprang into action, pulling gear from bags and systematically connecting radios to cables and a large antenna dish. The goal was to establish communication via Amateur Radio Repeater QO-100 on the Es’hail 2 satellite. Perched in a fixed orbit at 35,786 kilometers (about 22,236 miles) high above Africa, the satellite’s signal can reach half of Earth, from Brazil to Western Indonesia. To put that distance in perspective, that’s like flying from Jakarta to London almost four times! It’s a cosmic bridge that would allow us to connect with fellow radio enthusiasts thousands of miles away.
Frustration started to set in when we were unable to receive the signal from QO-100. There were those who ran the cable back and forth twice, disconnecting, cleaning the connector, and reconnecting, all while occasionally scratching their heads. Two of us tweaked the dish, using our mobile phones to find the right direction, arguing whether to point slightly left, up, or right. Some left to grab lunch, and a few of us fell asleep under the tree.
And then came the “aha” moment! A faint signal, a distant, rhythmical beeping sound, was heard. Everyone started to gather around the radio with big smiles and pure joy, like an 8-year-old kid on Christmas morning.
The sun set lower, radiating an orange hue on the horizon. Few of us were still busy taking turns on the microphone to talk with an Amateur Radio Operator from Europe. Our CW operator was also absorbed in her world; her hand danced on the Morse keyer, her ear focused to listen to the faint Morse beeps coming from a distant Operator through QO-100. With their goals achieved, some were busy taking pictures of the sunset. Dinner time came soon afterward. We soon gathered around the table, sharing stories and catching up on each other’s lives. Pop music played through the night, as some of us started to grab a different kind of microphone to sing along.
As the last songs faded, the air grew cool, and the night truly began to settle in. The chatter on the radio and among us started to wind down, replaced by the gentle sounds of waves crashing on the beach. Most of us had already retired back to the villa to rest and recharge for the long trip back the next day. A few of us didn’t want the moment to end; they were still having a gentle chat under the starry sky, accompanied by grilled corn and a warm drink. But all of us were satisfied with this unique experience in the Amateur Radio World—a world of community beyond borders, a reminder that with a simple radio, you can connect with people from anywhere on the planet.
For more information about ORARI, please visit https://orari.or.id/