Over the past decades, and not surprisingly together with the introduction and growth of the Internet, the behavior of the radio amateurs on the bands has significantly deteriorated. In 2008 John ON4UN and Mark ON4WW wrote a comprehensive document entitled "Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur", document aiming to become a universal guide for newcomers and old-timers alike on the subject of operating ethics and operating procedures. In 2008 this document was accepted by the IARU AC (Administrative Council, the highest body of the IARU) as representing the point of view of the IARU on the subject. During further regional IARU meetings it was emphasized that the document be made available via all means, and at no cost, in as many languages as possible to the ham radio fraternity.
Two years later the document has been translated in more than 25 languages, with more coming. In some countries the document is also offered in printed format and a large number of amateur radio sites have a link to the document on their site, be it in English or in the local language(s). Our most sincere thanks go to all our friends who spent hundreds of hours to take care of these translations.