The holder of the TA1A call sign, Dr. Ünal Akbal (SK), is one of the important figures in the history of Turkish amateur radio. The call sign he used previously TA1UA consists of the initials of his first and last name.
Akbal, who was actively operating on shortwave in the early 1980s, was also known in the international amateur community. Indeed, in the September 1983 issue of Old Man magazine published by the Swiss-based USKA (Union Schweizerischer Kurzwellen Amateure), he appeared as follows:
“Turkey, TA1UA, has often been reported on the 21026 band around 22:00. QSL should be sent to Ünal Akbal, Box 787, Istanbul, Turkey. Please do not write any call sign on the envelope.”
Source: USKA Oldman Issue 9, 1983
By 1984, Ünal Akbal (TA1UA) was featured in the May issue of CQ Amateur Radio magazine and his photograph was published. The magazine stated that amateur radio licenses had begun to be issued again in Turkey, that he lived in Istanbul, and that he served as general secretary of the Türkiye Radyo Amatörleri Cemiyeti. It was also noted that he was active especially in CW operation on the 15-meter band and was regularly heard by the international amateur community.
In 1985, when amateur radio activities were once again permitted in Turkey, an important development took place. Since amateur radio exam questions had not yet been prepared at that time, operators who knew Morse code were 1. Sınıf Gemi Telsiz Telgraf to take the examination, pass it, and then renounce that certificate and request an amateur radio license.
Ünal Akbal was among the first people to take advantage of this right and succeed in the examination; indeed, he was the pioneering figure who initiated this process in Turkey. Following his success, he obtained his amateur radio license through his application, and TA1A the call sign was assigned to him.
This important development was also covered in international publications. It was announced in the June 1985 issue of Electronics & Wireless World magazine with the following words:
“After a long break, amateur radio licenses have begun to be issued again in Turkey, and the first license was issued to Dr. Ünal Akbal as TA1A.”
Source: Electronics & Wireless World June 1985 Issue
Dr. Ünal Akbal played a pioneering role in the rebirth of amateur radio in Turkey and went down in history as the first licensed radio amateur. He is a member of the U-QRQ Russian Hi-speed CW Club. Club members must be able to communicate by telegraph at a speed of at least 170 characters per minute. He is the first radio amateur member (#45) from Turkey.
In 1986, TA1A Mr. Ünal sent TA2J Mr. Fazıl a photograph of his station. The TA1A call sign can be seen on the middle shelf. There is a signature on the back of the photograph.
The memory of Ünal Akbal, who passed away in 2010, continues to live on in the amateur radio community. The TA1A call sign is today kept alive by his son Yıldırım Akbal.
The 1986 QSL card shown at the top of the page belongs to communications conducted between TA2J Mr. Fazıl (SK) and Mr. Ünal in CW and SSB modes. These two valuable cards and the QSL envelope were added to our museum together with the collection of TA2J Mr. Fazıl.