SUMMARY:
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the national membership association for Amateur Radio operators. The League represents Amateur Radio interests to regulatory bodies, provides technical advice and assistance to Amateur Radio enthusiasts and supports a number of educational programs throughout the country. ARRL is a non-profit organization.

HISTORY:
The ARRL was founded in 1914 by inventor Hiram Percy Maxim.

MEMBERSHIP:
Current ARRL membership is over 160,000.

STAFF:
120 full- and part-time staff members.

PUBLISHING:
ARRL publishes monthly membership journal QST and two special interest magazines along with over 160 books and software titles and a variety of special interest newsletters.

LOCATION:
The American Radio Relay League is located at 225 Main Street in Newington, Connecticut. Along with the administrative headquarters building, the seven acre site is home to W1AW, the League's Amateur Radio station. Amateur Radio operators from all over the world come to ARRL to operate from W1AW.

STATISTICS

Ham radio operators in the US:

March 2012 - 704,236
2011 - 702,056
2010 – 696,041
2009 -  682,497
2008  - 663,564
2007  - 655,842
2006  - 656,068
2005  - 662,600

Higher percentages of Amateur Radio licensees are going far beyond the initial Technician Class license and earning General or even Amateur Extra Class licenses.

There are approximately 2.5 million Amateur Radio operators in the world.  The numbers, while believed accurate, can vary somewhat because different countries use different systems to count licensees.