| WHEN
EVERY EFFORT FAILED, HAM RADIO DID IT |
 When
a severe earthquake jolted the state of Gujarat
on January 26, the whole world was very anxious to know
the extent of the devastation. But information about the
quake-hit areas was not available due to complete collapse
of the communication network. The same day, i.e., on January
26, a team consisting of five volunteers from National
Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR), Hyderabad reached
Ahmedabad, and the next morning the team could
establish communication between Bhuj and other
parts of India. This was made possible with the help of
HAM Radio, an effective wireless communication
device during calamities when all the conventional communication
networks collapse.
HAM radio is a friendly, scientific, fun loving and hi-tech
hobby. It is a two-way wireless communication process,
which puts thousands of people across the globe into direct
contact with one another. It is also known as 'Amateur
Radio'.
 NIAR,
which is striving hard to popularise HAM radio activity,
is a Non Governmental Organisation. Established in 1975
in Hyderabad, the main goal of NIAR is to increase awareness
about HAM radio across the country. The institute has
won many distinguished awards and medals of appreciation
for its activities from various national and international
organisations.
S Suri, Director, NIAR, tells about its
activities in an exclusive interview with hyderabad-best.com.
Suri is an Ex-airman and worked as an Engineer
in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
How helpful was the HAM radio during the Gujarat earthquake?
The moment we heard the news of the earthquake on January
26, a team of five people from NIAR, Hyderabad went to
Ahmedabad on the same day in the evening. They stayed
at Ahmedabad that night and the next morning when the
Chief Minister was leaving for Bhuj, the team of volunteers
went along with him and one HAM operator was in the CM's
office. Since the entire communication network had collapsed,
HAM radios proved to be quite helpful in providing first
hand information about the situation in Bhuj. Later on,
20 HAM radio operators from Mumbai joined the volunteers.
Even now many HAM volunteers want to come to Gujarat from
the US and Japan to help the people in providing
communication links.
 Can
you just tell us what is amateur radio or HAM radio?
HAM radio is a two-way wireless communication device,
which allows instant radio communication across the globe.
Amateur radio operators are also known as 'HAMs',
an acronym for those who pursue the two-way communication
as a hobby. These HAM operators are radio communication
hobbyists and have known to be of immense help the world
over in times of disaster, when the conventional communication
technology like telephones failed. Many eminent people
have been HAM enthusiasts. Former Prime Minister late
Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Lord Mountbatten and
Former Jordan King Hussain were all ardent lovers
of HAM radio. There are nearly 3 million licensed HAM
radio enthusiasts in the world and about 10,000 in India
and these people are free to operate their private radio
stations from their homes.
What does HAM stand for?
The acronym 'HAM' is often explained as the initials of
three scientists who contributed significantly to the
study of radio waves and telecommunication. They are Hertz,
Armstrong and Marconi.
How does it work?
HAM radio operators use two-way radio stations from their
homes to make friends in their town, country and around
the world. HAMs communicate by using voice, computers
and Morse code. HAMs use satellites, exchange pictures
of each other using television and many use handheld radios
that fit in their pockets. Some also like to work on electronic
circuits, building their own radios and antennas.
 Are
the equipments used in HAM radio very expensive?
Not really. It depends on the kind of equipment you want
to have. Some instruments like walkie-talkies
cost around Rs. 10,000, high frequency devices costs about
Rs. 40,000 to
Rs. 1,00,000, whereas home-made radios from assembled
parts costs as low as Rs. 2500.
What are the advancements made in HAM radio technology
today?
Today HAM radios operate through satellites. These satellites
are made by HAM enthusiasts themselves and for launching
them, some help is taken from international agencies.
Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio (OSCAR)
is one such satellite. Today over all 40 HAM satellites
are operational in space. HAMs constantly communicate
with their domestic and overseas counterparts through
these satellites.
How does one become a HAM radio operator?
In India, anyone above 12 years of age can become a HAM
by acquiring a license issued by Wireless Planning
and Co-ordination Wing, Ministry of Communications, Government
of India. This license is issued after the applicant
qualifies a simple examination conducted to test practical
knowledge of Morse code and the basic principles of radio
communications and procedures.
What is the role of NIAR in promoting HAM radio?
Encouraged by the Government and the World Bank, the National
Institute of Amateur Radio is established to spread the
awareness of amateur radio amongst the people in the country.
The institute conducts regular training programmes to
train people for the Amateur Station Operator License
(ASOL) examination which is a must to become a HAM
operator. It also assists schools, colleges and individuals
to form their own Amateur Radio Clubs which are
economical compared to the commercial equipment. The technical
wing of the institute encourages amateurs to construct
their home-made transceivers.
Why hasn't HAM radio become popular in India?
Though the first HAM radio license in India was issued
in 1923, the activity did not flourish due to ignorance,
lack of awareness and several other misconceptions. People
still believe that possessing wireless equipment privately
is illegal. And also there are not many organizations
or individuals promoting this activity.
Address: National Institute of Amateur Radio
(NIAR), 6-3-1092/93, Raj Bhavan Road, Somajiguda, Hyderabad
- 500 082.
Phone: 331 0287. Fax: 331 1073.
E-mail: niarindia@hotmail.com
URL: www.niar.org
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