THE FASCINATING WORLD OF
- AMATEUR RADIO -

Amateur Radio is a scientific hobby of Self training, technical investigation in the
world wide Radio communication carried out by duly authorised Persons without any
pecuniary interest.

Amateur Radio is an International hobby. An Amateur Radio operator is called a HAM
or Radio Amateur. HAM stands for The first letter of 3 pioneers in the field of Radio
communication viz., Hertz Armstrong and Marconi. This is a hobby that requires a
licence from the concerned authorities of their respective Government.

HAMs use transceivers for communication (Transmitter and Receiver). Will you not be
surprised to know that, every minute of the day there will be hundred and hundreds of
Amateur Radio operators operating their equipment around the world. One can make
global friends, exchange views, ideas, explore the culture, lifestyles with the HAM
friends.

One can utilise his/her free time creatively by Amateur Radio. One doesn't feel lonely
even if nobody is at home, if he or she is a HAM, the world comes into the confines of
their room anywhere anytime.

After getting the licence and going `ON THE AIR' one will find people from
different walks of life, like people from electronics, computers, space, medicine,
farming, film industry, students, teachers, VIPs are a few to name.

Imagine HAMs playing chess sitting in their rooms across the continents !!

There are about 10,000 HAMs in India, out of which only a few thousands are active
on the air. The scene is different in other countries like Japan, USA etc., which has
millions of active Radio Amateurs. After getting the licence from the Ministry of
Communications and going on the air one has the privilege of making friends all
round the globe. It's a whole special way of making friends.

The real thrill of Amateur Radio is while making contacts across the oceans, across the
seas from one's own home made equipment, even though one can get an imported
multi-band all-mode transceiver.

One can make or get assembled transceivers at much less price than the imported ones,
yes but with less features. One can start the hobby with an ordinary broadcast receiver
( 2 or 3 band Transistor Radio) and then after getting the licence, he or she can be on
the AIR with a low power SET-UP costing just around Rs. 1,500/= or else one
should be a member of an Amateur Radio Club.

HAM Radio is used for self training and investigation in the field of electronic
communications carried out by licensed persons. HAM Radio provides an opportunity
to serve the country, the people and above all the HUMAN MANKIND.





During natural calamities like earth quakes, floods etc., the service rendered by HAMs
are recognised and appreciated. Being a HAM one can serve the society in many ways
like making available difficult-to-get life-saving drugs from any part of the world
through HAM Radio in time.

During the AMARNATH YATRA `96 disaster, HAMs from all over the country
maintained an emergency network linked from Srinagar to relay messages to the
relatives of the people trapped on the way.

Many lives has been saved from high seas, as any one of the sailors on board where
HAMs. A pilot (HAM ) saved the lives of many people on a passenger airliner which
lost Radio contact with the ATC (Air Traffic Control ) , being an HAM he gave a
distress call ( SOS ) on HAM Radio from the flight above the Indian Ocean and with
the help of a HAM in south India who picked up the signal got in touch with the ATC
via Telephone, helped in a perfect landing of the aeroplane.

TYPES OF LICENCES

In India, there are five grades of Amateur Wireless Telegraph Licence ( AW/T):-

1. Short Wave Listeners Licence.
2. Restricted Grade.
3. Grade II.
4. Grade I.
5. Advanced Grade.

The minimum age for getting a Licence is 12 years of age in India. The Licence fee
for Advanced Grade , Grade I, Grade II / Restricted/SWL are Rs. 50/= , Rs.40/=,
Rs.25/= respectively for a period of two Years.

Exams :-

To obtain a AW/T licence one has to appear for the ASOC examination (Amateur
Station Operators Certificate) conducted by Wireless Planning and Co-ordination Wing
of the Ministry of Communications. The exam is conducted monthly in big cities and
once in two months at other places.

ASOC exam has two parts ;
Part - I :
a) Basic Electronics (Radio Theory and Practice)
b) Rules and Regulations (Indian and
International Radio rules and regulations )
Part - II:
a) Morse code receiving
b) Morse code sending

For Grade II exam it is 5 words per minute test and 12 words per minute for Grade I
and Advanced Grade. For Restricted Grade there is no Morse code test ( but can't
enjoy full fruit of HAM Radio), as it is only a point to point communication Licence.

The examination is NOT DIFFICULT to pass. Do you know a 7 year old in USA has
got a Amateur Wireless Licence.

MORSE CODE : -

Morse Code is an International Language. Since HAMs come from every nook and
corner of the globe there may be language barriers but Morse Code Builds bridges of
friendship.

Morse Transmission is considered as one of the efficient means of communication in
adverse Band (radio frequency) conditions. Now other digital modes have come up
which are as efficient or even more than a Morse transmission. On economical grounds
most of the Indian HAMs cannot afford such costly means of equipment's to enjoy the
full fruit of Amateur Radio.

Once one learns Morse and operate, it is just as hearing music on the air!!. One can
convey messages to the other end much faster than talking. There are special
abbreviations in Amateur Radio that helps in sending messages quickly over radio
known as "Q"codes.

For example if one sends the following in Morse code :-
QRV?
This means `are you ready to receive my signals ?'
QRV
This is the answer that `I am ready to receive your signals'

Notice the speed with which one can communicate. It is only by practice one gains the
speed.

Books related to Amateur Radio are available in leading book shops Viz., `ABC of
Amateur Radio in India'. To study Morse it just takes a matter of two weeks for a
really interested person or it takes the time he or she wishes.

After one gets through the exam he or she has to wait for the decision of the Ministry
for the grant an AW/T licence, that takes a matter of few months.

The different modes used by Amateur Radio operators are :-

Morse, Voice, SSTV (SLOW SCAN TV),FSTV (Fast Scan TV), RTTY(Radio
Teletype), Packet Radio, AMTOR ( Amateur Teleprinting Over Radio), PACTOR (
Packet Teleprinting Over Radio).

There are many Amateur Satellites orbiting and it is very thrilling experience to have
a conversation sitting in one's room with the Robot on board. All SPACE missions so
far has had atleast a HAM Radio Operator (Astronaut) on board. Sitting in your
SHACK ( Radio Room) one can contact the Astronaut and talk to SPACE. Some
satellites have ( HAM ) Robots which will respond to the call and reply back !!

THE RADIO SYSTEM

The Basic requirement of AW/T station is a transmitter / receiver . A transmitter is
used to send the Radio Waves. It Picks up the Voice and converts it to radio frequency
and using the Antenna it radiates the signals. On the other hand at the receiving end
the antenna traps the signals and reproduces the signal into meaningful information (
Intelligence ). There are various modes in which signals are send, Voice, Morse,
Digital Data ( Packets) etc.,

For Amateur Radio various frequency bands are allotted by the International
Telecommunications Union on 3.5 to 3.7 MHz, 7- 7.1 MHz, 14 - 14.350 MHz, 21-
21.450 MHz etc.,

Even using an ordinary Broadcast receiver in one's home with a good external
antenna, one can hear the Amateur Radio Operators conversing on the air.

STATION IDENTIFICATION :-

An Amateur Radio Station is identified by its Call Sign as in the case of the telephone
is the telephone number. As the ISD dial code 91 represents India, VU represents India
followed by a digit 2,3,4,7 etc., followed again by 2 or 3 characters which identifies
the station. So a typical Indian station will have a Call Sign like VU2UKR or
VU3CYL or VU2AWC etc.,

The Call Signs of Sri Lankan stations starts with the prefix 4S7, Pakistan AP2,
Russia RA6, Japan JA3, Germany DL4, USA KC4 etc.,

ESTABLISHING A CONTACT

First tune the Transceiver , if one happens to hear some station and wish to contact,
give a "break in" call. Once the other station replies back to the call and exchange
the signal report, the chat goes on ...... .

One way is to tune to a clear frequency and give a general call on the air. When a
HAM hears, he/she replies back. The other way is to give a directional call (a call to
stations in a particular Continent or Country).

HAMs are all equal, there is no `SIR' or `Mr'. or `Mrs' even if a person is 7 years
old or 70 years old , a male is referred as an `OLD MAN' and similarly a female as
`YOUNG LADY'.

The Amateurs are forbidden to transmit messages related to Business, Religious,
Political, or other matters which can cause communal problems, or matters which can
deprive the Government of its revenue etc.,

NET

"NET" is conducted around the country, meaning National Emergency Traffic. NETs
are conducted daily on different bands at fixed timings and frequencies. Some are
during day and some during night. On a NET, a net controller (HAM) conducts the
NET for the day, he calls in for `check-ins' to the NET. Stations on the NET frequency
give their call signs and wait for there turn and stay on frequency for the duration of
the NET. After checking in, the station stays back on frequency listening to the NET
for any emergency or medical traffic.

If a HAM station requires medical help / emergency he contacts the NET controller
and in turn the NET controller announces it over the band, seeks help from any station
on frequency to meet the emergency and it is handled in a very professional way.

Life saving medicines at time of emergency or an alert of distress, or weather forecast,
band condition, or other needs are handled on the NET. Usually on the NET when
`traffic or emergency communication' is less then HAMs use the NET as a typical
telephone exchange getting HAMs connected by allotting different frequencies for a
group of HAMs for their round table discussion on the air.

Usually HAMs talk more about the technical aspect of radio communications, some are
interested in making friends around the globe, some look for their counterparts having
the same profession.

Some HAMs contact other HAMs (doctors) when they are sick and at home, get their
diagnostics done while lying in there bed over radio !

QSLs

This is yet another Q Code meaning `can you acknowledge receipt'. Once one
establish a two way Radio contact with another station, a special post card is
exchanged Viz. QSL card. This card has the Call Sign of the Station you worked,
date, time, frequency, signal report, his or her equipment and other details of the
station, country, place and other information's of interest.

If one happens to collect 100 QSL Cards of different countries listed by the
AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE one get a prestigious award called "The
DXCC". DX means Distant or Unknown, CC is the Centenary Club. A station outside
India is a DX country for Indians.




FIELD DAY

Field Day as the word itself sound, a day(s) in the field. It is actually an exercise
conducted by a group of HAMs and SWLs to go to some place of interest, say for
example high up on Mountain terrain's, deep in the jungle and Set-up a Amateur Radio
Station and maintain the Radio Network as an awareness program for meeting the
emergency communication requirements during calamities.

During the Field Day the areas of study are mainly Propagation Conditions, Sunspot
Activity, Radio Astronomy, Sporadic Propagation, Location of putting up Antenna,
choice of type of Antenna, Direction, Tuning up the RIG ( HAM equipment) and at
last establishing the contact.

So in a Field Day, SWLs and people who have interest in Radio Communication learn
a lot from the Radio Amateurs, the ways to put up a station, the procedures of
establishing contacts on the network etc.,

It also serves as an opportunity to HAMs and SWLs to meet their HAM friends in
person. Though being great friends over Radio, it is a crazy occasion when one meets
him/her in person, the configuration in mind does not resemble with the actual !!

One can study the basic necessities for setting up an Amateur Radio Station in case of
emergencies, in any adverse situations or at difficult places unfavourable for putting
up a station and to get on with new ideas.

EXPEDITIONS:-

Popularly known as DX-pedition. So as in a Field Day here a group of people venture
out in the Sea to some island, some places Viz. Antarctica, Arctic, Bering islands etc.,

Some venture out for expedition like the SAMUNDRA IV Yatch expedition "BALI
YATRA" to Indonesia. Expeditions to Lakshadeep and Andaman Islands are Popular
around the world. Expedition Team gets the world attention as millions and millions of
HAMs will be looking out for DX-pedition Stations because usually it will have a
different CALL SIGN (special one) and that, one who contacts such a station from an
island is really thrilled to have worked that part of the world which are usually rare.

In India VU7 prefix is given to the DX-pedition Teams to Lakshadeep and Andamans
other than the usual VU2 and VU3 prefix on the main land.

FOX HUNT

It is really a fun, hunting the FOX !!!

A FOX is a Radio Transmitter hidden in some place in the city or town or forest or
where ever it might be, sometimes can't imagine even if it is in the well. It would
transmit Radio Signals from it at intervals of time. The participants of the Fox Hunt
are to locate the hidden transmitter which may be within a range of say 15 to 20 Kms.

A pair is a team, usually equipped with the transceiver (hand held), Beam Antenna
connected to it. Some mount it on top of their vehicles and some hold in their arms
while using a two wheeler. So one can find crazy people carrying Beam Antenna
in their hand while on the road, referring to the maps, using the direction finder to
locate the hidden fox.

The team which finds the fox is rewarded.





AMATEUR SATELLITES

There are Amateur Satellites or simply satellites carrying Amateur Radio on board.
These Satellite Radio Amateur Stations are Microprocessor controlled. The Signals
are beamed to the orbiting satellite and get the acknowledgement. Mostly the
communications will be of short duration, exchange of signal reports, location etc.,

Some satellites are used as repeater station, one station UPLINKS the signal to the
satellite and the signal is retransmitted [ DOWNLINKS ] to ground covering a large
area [ Foot Print ] on another frequency. The communication between two stations
can only be sustained while both the stations are in the foot print of the satellite.

Amateur Radio Satellites can be utilised for the thirst of Knowledge of SPACE. It can
create an awareness of SPACE, Astronomy, Space Technology, Different Modes of
Communications like high speed data transfer etc.,

One gets an opportunity to communicate with an Astronaut on the space station and
check one's system performance and even carry out radio experiments guided by
them, a rare opportunity for a common man to even talk to Cosmonaut on a LIVE
mission.

Many HAMs in India were able to contact many satellites , to name a few the Russian
MIR ORBITING SPACE STATION with a Call Sign U2MIR, this station has been
put up on board to minimise the boredom of the Cosmonaut as they can feel at home.

Many curious students from a Bangalore school which has a Amateur Radio station in
school were able to contact / talk to the Astronauts on the ` STS-55 SHUTTLE
RADIO AMATEUR EXPERIMENT ' space SHUTTLE COLUMBIA and get some of
their queries cleared which were not answerable by books and people in and around !

There are computer program (software) to exactly predict the movement of satellites
over the horizon, time, angle at which etc., all that has to be input is the local time
and place (location). There are other interesting software programs which can control
the antenna rotator and can automatically beam towards the satellite and track till it is
having a foot print over the area

PACKET RADIO

In this mode of communication the Data/Messages are sent using a computer, which is connected to a
Radio Modem + Transceiver. In this type of communication data is send as Packets of Information to the
other end as RADIO WAVES. There are different Protocols used in this system, the software used for this
ensures that the data received in error free. At a particular point of time one station can get connected to as
many as 10 stations and exchange information There are Bulletin Boards and Mail Boxes across the
continent.


Basic requirement of this state of the art technology communication is a COMPUTER, RADIO MODEM,
TRANSCEIVER, ANTENNA and the SOFTWARE.

The best way to become a HAM is to get in touch with a local active HAM or a club.
Books on this subject is available at leading book shops, EFY Enterprises, BPB
publications etc., Correspondence courses are also being conducted by Kerala
Amateur Radio League. Morse code which most people think / say is difficult but if it
is mastered in the way it should be then it is a matter of few days. The two main
things to become a radio amateur is the " THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE " and
"SERVICE MINDEDNESS "THE FASCINATING WORLD OF
- AMATEUR RADIO -

Amateur Radio is a scientific hobby of Self training, technical investigation in the
world wide Radio communication carried out by duly authorised Persons without any
pecuniary interest.

Amateur Radio is an International hobby. An Amateur Radio operator is called a HAM
or Radio Amateur. HAM stands for The first letter of 3 pioneers in the field of Radio
communication viz., Hertz Armstrong and Marconi. This is a hobby that requires a
licence from the concerned authorities of their respective Government.

HAMs use transceivers for communication (Transmitter and Receiver). Will you not be
surprised to know that, every minute of the day there will be hundred and hundreds of
Amateur Radio operators operating their equipment around the world. One can make
global friends, exchange views, ideas, explore the culture, lifestyles with the HAM
friends.

One can utilise his/her free time creatively by Amateur Radio. One doesn't feel lonely
even if nobody is at home, if he or she is a HAM, the world comes into the confines of
their room anywhere anytime.

After getting the licence and going `ON THE AIR' one will find people from
different walks of life, like people from electronics, computers, space, medicine,
farming, film industry, students, teachers, VIPs are a few to name.

Imagine HAMs playing chess sitting in their rooms across the continents !!

There are about 10,000 HAMs in India, out of which only a few thousands are active
on the air. The scene is different in other countries like Japan, USA etc., which has
millions of active Radio Amateurs. After getting the licence from the Ministry of
Communications and going on the air one has the privilege of making friends all
round the globe. It's a whole special way of making friends.

The real thrill of Amateur Radio is while making contacts across the oceans, across the
seas from one's own home made equipment, even though one can get an imported
multi-band all-mode transceiver.

One can make or get assembled transceivers at much less price than the imported ones,
yes but with less features. One can start the hobby with an ordinary broadcast receiver
( 2 or 3 band Transistor Radio) and then after getting the licence, he or she can be on
the AIR with a low power SET-UP costing just around Rs. 1,500/= or else one
should be a member of an Amateur Radio Club.

HAM Radio is used for self training and investigation in the field of electronic
communications carried out by licensed persons. HAM Radio provides an opportunity
to serve the country, the people and above all the HUMAN MANKIND.





During natural calamities like earth quakes, floods etc., the service rendered by HAMs
are recognised and appreciated. Being a HAM one can serve the society in many ways
like making available difficult-to-get life-saving drugs from any part of the world
through HAM Radio in time.

During the AMARNATH YATRA `96 disaster, HAMs from all over the country
maintained an emergency network linked from Srinagar to relay messages to the
relatives of the people trapped on the way.

Many lives has been saved from high seas, as any one of the sailors on board where
HAMs. A pilot (HAM ) saved the lives of many people on a passenger airliner which
lost Radio contact with the ATC (Air Traffic Control ) , being an HAM he gave a
distress call ( SOS ) on HAM Radio from the flight above the Indian Ocean and with
the help of a HAM in south India who picked up the signal got in touch with the ATC
via Telephone, helped in a perfect landing of the aeroplane.

TYPES OF LICENCES

In India, there are five grades of Amateur Wireless Telegraph Licence ( AW/T):-

1. Short Wave Listeners Licence.
2. Restricted Grade.
3. Grade II.
4. Grade I.
5. Advanced Grade.

The minimum age for getting a Licence is 12 years of age in India. The Licence fee
for Advanced Grade , Grade I, Grade II / Restricted/SWL are Rs. 50/= , Rs.40/=,
Rs.25/= respectively for a period of two Years.

Exams :-

To obtain a AW/T licence one has to appear for the ASOC examination (Amateur
Station Operators Certificate) conducted by Wireless Planning and Co-ordination Wing
of the Ministry of Communications. The exam is conducted monthly in big cities and
once in two months at other places.

ASOC exam has two parts ;
Part - I :
a) Basic Electronics (Radio Theory and Practice)
b) Rules and Regulations (Indian and
International Radio rules and regulations )
Part - II:
a) Morse code receiving
b) Morse code sending

For Grade II exam it is 5 words per minute test and 12 words per minute for Grade I
and Advanced Grade. For Restricted Grade there is no Morse code test ( but can't
enjoy full fruit of HAM Radio), as it is only a point to point communication Licence.

The examination is NOT DIFFICULT to pass. Do you know a 7 year old in USA has
got a Amateur Wireless Licence.

MORSE CODE : -

Morse Code is an International Language. Since HAMs come from every nook and
corner of the globe there may be language barriers but Morse Code Builds bridges of
friendship.

Morse Transmission is considered as one of the efficient means of communication in
adverse Band (radio frequency) conditions. Now other digital modes have come up
which are as efficient or even more than a Morse transmission. On economical grounds
most of the Indian HAMs cannot afford such costly means of equipment's to enjoy the
full fruit of Amateur Radio.

Once one learns Morse and operate, it is just as hearing music on the air!!. One can
convey messages to the other end much faster than talking. There are special
abbreviations in Amateur Radio that helps in sending messages quickly over radio
known as "Q"codes.

For example if one sends the following in Morse code :-
QRV?
This means `are you ready to receive my signals ?'
QRV
This is the answer that `I am ready to receive your signals'

Notice the speed with which one can communicate. It is only by practice one gains the
speed.

Books related to Amateur Radio are available in leading book shops Viz., `ABC of
Amateur Radio in India'. To study Morse it just takes a matter of two weeks for a
really interested person or it takes the time he or she wishes.

After one gets through the exam he or she has to wait for the decision of the Ministry
for the grant an AW/T licence, that takes a matter of few months.

The different modes used by Amateur Radio operators are :-

Morse, Voice, SSTV (SLOW SCAN TV),FSTV (Fast Scan TV), RTTY(Radio
Teletype), Packet Radio, AMTOR ( Amateur Teleprinting Over Radio), PACTOR (
Packet Teleprinting Over Radio).

There are many Amateur Satellites orbiting and it is very thrilling experience to have
a conversation sitting in one's room with the Robot on board. All SPACE missions so
far has had atleast a HAM Radio Operator (Astronaut) on board. Sitting in your
SHACK ( Radio Room) one can contact the Astronaut and talk to SPACE. Some
satellites have ( HAM ) Robots which will respond to the call and reply back !!

THE RADIO SYSTEM

The Basic requirement of AW/T station is a transmitter / receiver . A transmitter is
used to send the Radio Waves. It Picks up the Voice and converts it to radio frequency
and using the Antenna it radiates the signals. On the other hand at the receiving end
the antenna traps the signals and reproduces the signal into meaningful information (
Intelligence ). There are various modes in which signals are send, Voice, Morse,
Digital Data ( Packets) etc.,

For Amateur Radio various frequency bands are allotted by the International
Telecommunications Union on 3.5 to 3.7 MHz, 7- 7.1 MHz, 14 - 14.350 MHz, 21-
21.450 MHz etc.,

Even using an ordinary Broadcast receiver in one's home with a good external
antenna, one can hear the Amateur Radio Operators conversing on the air.

STATION IDENTIFICATION :-

An Amateur Radio Station is identified by its Call Sign as in the case of the telephone
is the telephone number. As the ISD dial code 91 represents India, VU represents India
followed by a digit 2,3,4,7 etc., followed again by 2 or 3 characters which identifies
the station. So a typical Indian station will have a Call Sign like VU2UKR or
VU3CYL or VU2AWC etc.,

The Call Signs of Sri Lankan stations starts with the prefix 4S7, Pakistan AP2,
Russia RA6, Japan JA3, Germany DL4, USA KC4 etc.,

ESTABLISHING A CONTACT

First tune the Transceiver , if one happens to hear some station and wish to contact,
give a "break in" call. Once the other station replies back to the call and exchange
the signal report, the chat goes on ...... .

One way is to tune to a clear frequency and give a general call on the air. When a
HAM hears, he/she replies back. The other way is to give a directional call (a call to
stations in a particular Continent or Country).

HAMs are all equal, there is no `SIR' or `Mr'. or `Mrs' even if a person is 7 years
old or 70 years old , a male is referred as an `OLD MAN' and similarly a female as
`YOUNG LADY'.

The Amateurs are forbidden to transmit messages related to Business, Religious,
Political, or other matters which can cause communal problems, or matters which can
deprive the Government of its revenue etc.,

NET

"NET" is conducted around the country, meaning National Emergency Traffic. NETs
are conducted daily on different bands at fixed timings and frequencies. Some are
during day and some during night. On a NET, a net controller (HAM) conducts the
NET for the day, he calls in for `check-ins' to the NET. Stations on the NET frequency
give their call signs and wait for there turn and stay on frequency for the duration of
the NET. After checking in, the station stays back on frequency listening to the NET
for any emergency or medical traffic.

If a HAM station requires medical help / emergency he contacts the NET controller
and in turn the NET controller announces it over the band, seeks help from any station
on frequency to meet the emergency and it is handled in a very professional way.

Life saving medicines at time of emergency or an alert of distress, or weather forecast,
band condition, or other needs are handled on the NET. Usually on the NET when
`traffic or emergency communication' is less then HAMs use the NET as a typical
telephone exchange getting HAMs connected by allotting different frequencies for a
group of HAMs for their round table discussion on the air.

Usually HAMs talk more about the technical aspect of radio communications, some are
interested in making friends around the globe, some look for their counterparts having
the same profession.

Some HAMs contact other HAMs (doctors) when they are sick and at home, get their
diagnostics done while lying in there bed over radio !

QSLs

This is yet another Q Code meaning `can you acknowledge receipt'. Once one
establish a two way Radio contact with another station, a special post card is
exchanged Viz. QSL card. This card has the Call Sign of the Station you worked,
date, time, frequency, signal report, his or her equipment and other details of the
station, country, place and other information's of interest.

If one happens to collect 100 QSL Cards of different countries listed by the
AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE one get a prestigious award called "The
DXCC". DX means Distant or Unknown, CC is the Centenary Club. A station outside
India is a DX country for Indians.




FIELD DAY

Field Day as the word itself sound, a day(s) in the field. It is actually an exercise
conducted by a group of HAMs and SWLs to go to some place of interest, say for
example high up on Mountain terrain's, deep in the jungle and Set-up a Amateur Radio
Station and maintain the Radio Network as an awareness program for meeting the
emergency communication requirements during calamities.

During the Field Day the areas of study are mainly Propagation Conditions, Sunspot
Activity, Radio Astronomy, Sporadic Propagation, Location of putting up Antenna,
choice of type of Antenna, Direction, Tuning up the RIG ( HAM equipment) and at
last establishing the contact.

So in a Field Day, SWLs and people who have interest in Radio Communication learn
a lot from the Radio Amateurs, the ways to put up a station, the procedures of
establishing contacts on the network etc.,

It also serves as an opportunity to HAMs and SWLs to meet their HAM friends in
person. Though being great friends over Radio, it is a crazy occasion when one meets
him/her in person, the configuration in mind does not resemble with the actual !!

One can study the basic necessities for setting up an Amateur Radio Station in case of
emergencies, in any adverse situations or at difficult places unfavourable for putting
up a station and to get on with new ideas.

EXPEDITIONS:-

Popularly known as DX-pedition. So as in a Field Day here a group of people venture
out in the Sea to some island, some places Viz. Antarctica, Arctic, Bering islands etc.,

Some venture out for expedition like the SAMUNDRA IV Yatch expedition "BALI
YATRA" to Indonesia. Expeditions to Lakshadeep and Andaman Islands are Popular
around the world. Expedition Team gets the world attention as millions and millions of
HAMs will be looking out for DX-pedition Stations because usually it will have a
different CALL SIGN (special one) and that, one who contacts such a station from an
island is really thrilled to have worked that part of the world which are usually rare.

In India VU7 prefix is given to the DX-pedition Teams to Lakshadeep and Andamans
other than the usual VU2 and VU3 prefix on the main land.

FOX HUNT

It is really a fun, hunting the FOX !!!

A FOX is a Radio Transmitter hidden in some place in the city or town or forest or
where ever it might be, sometimes can't imagine even if it is in the well. It would
transmit Radio Signals from it at intervals of time. The participants of the Fox Hunt
are to locate the hidden transmitter which may be within a range of say 15 to 20 Kms.

A pair is a team, usually equipped with the transceiver (hand held), Beam Antenna
connected to it. Some mount it on top of their vehicles and some hold in their arms
while using a two wheeler. So one can find crazy people carrying Beam Antenna
in their hand while on the road, referring to the maps, using the direction finder to
locate the hidden fox.

The team which finds the fox is rewarded.





AMATEUR SATELLITES

There are Amateur Satellites or simply satellites carrying Amateur Radio on board.
These Satellite Radio Amateur Stations are Microprocessor controlled. The Signals
are beamed to the orbiting satellite and get the acknowledgement. Mostly the
communications will be of short duration, exchange of signal reports, location etc.,

Some satellites are used as repeater station, one station UPLINKS the signal to the
satellite and the signal is retransmitted [ DOWNLINKS ] to ground covering a large
area [ Foot Print ] on another frequency. The communication between two stations
can only be sustained while both the stations are in the foot print of the satellite.

Amateur Radio Satellites can be utilised for the thirst of Knowledge of SPACE. It can
create an awareness of SPACE, Astronomy, Space Technology, Different Modes of
Communications like high speed data transfer etc.,

One gets an opportunity to communicate with an Astronaut on the space station and
check one's system performance and even carry out radio experiments guided by
them, a rare opportunity for a common man to even talk to Cosmonaut on a LIVE
mission.

Many HAMs in India were able to contact many satellites , to name a few the Russian
MIR ORBITING SPACE STATION with a Call Sign U2MIR, this station has been
put up on board to minimise the boredom of the Cosmonaut as they can feel at home.

Many curious students from a Bangalore school which has a Amateur Radio station in
school were able to contact / talk to the Astronauts on the ` STS-55 SHUTTLE
RADIO AMATEUR EXPERIMENT ' space SHUTTLE COLUMBIA and get some of
their queries cleared which were not answerable by books and people in and around !

There are computer program (software) to exactly predict the movement of satellites
over the horizon, time, angle at which etc., all that has to be input is the local time
and place (location). There are other interesting software programs which can control
the antenna rotator and can automatically beam towards the satellite and track till it is
having a foot print over the area

PACKET RADIO

In this mode of communication the Data/Messages are sent using a computer, which is connected to a
Radio Modem + Transceiver. In this type of communication data is send as Packets of Information to the
other end as RADIO WAVES. There are different Protocols used in this system, the software used for this
ensures that the data received in error free. At a particular point of time one station can get connected to as
many as 10 stations and exchange information There are Bulletin Boards and Mail Boxes across the
continent.


Basic requirement of this state of the art technology communication is a COMPUTER, RADIO MODEM,
TRANSCEIVER, ANTENNA and the SOFTWARE.

The best way to become a HAM is to get in touch with a local active HAM or a club.
Books on this subject is available at leading book shops, EFY Enterprises, BPB
publications etc., Correspondence courses are also being conducted by Kerala
Amateur Radio League. Morse code which most people think / say is difficult but if it
is mastered in the way it should be then it is a matter of few days. The two main
things to become a radio amateur is the " THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE " and
"SERVICE MINDEDNESS "

THE FASCINATING WORLD OF
- AMATEUR RADIO -

Amateur Radio is a scientific hobby of Self training, technical investigation in the
world wide Radio communication carried out by duly authorised Persons without any
pecuniary interest.

Amateur Radio is an International hobby. An Amateur Radio operator is called a HAM
or Radio Amateur. HAM stands for The first letter of 3 pioneers in the field of Radio
communication viz., Hertz Armstrong and Marconi. This is a hobby that requires a
licence from the concerned authorities of their respective Government.

HAMs use transceivers for communication (Transmitter and Receiver). Will you not be
surprised to know that, every minute of the day there will be hundred and hundreds of
Amateur Radio operators operating their equipment around the world. One can make
global friends, exchange views, ideas, explore the culture, lifestyles with the HAM
friends.

One can utilise his/her free time creatively by Amateur Radio. One doesn't feel lonely
even if nobody is at home, if he or she is a HAM, the world comes into the confines of
their room anywhere anytime.

After getting the licence and going `ON THE AIR' one will find people from
different walks of life, like people from electronics, computers, space, medicine,
farming, film industry, students, teachers, VIPs are a few to name.

Imagine HAMs playing chess sitting in their rooms across the continents !!

There are about 10,000 HAMs in India, out of which only a few thousands are active
on the air. The scene is different in other countries like Japan, USA etc., which has
millions of active Radio Amateurs. After getting the licence from the Ministry of
Communications and going on the air one has the privilege of making friends all
round the globe. It's a whole special way of making friends.

The real thrill of Amateur Radio is while making contacts across the oceans, across the
seas from one's own home made equipment, even though one can get an imported
multi-band all-mode transceiver.

One can make or get assembled transceivers at much less price than the imported ones,
yes but with less features. One can start the hobby with an ordinary broadcast receiver
( 2 or 3 band Transistor Radio) and then after getting the licence, he or she can be on
the AIR with a low power SET-UP costing just around Rs. 1,500/= or else one
should be a member of an Amateur Radio Club.

HAM Radio is used for self training and investigation in the field of electronic
communications carried out by licensed persons. HAM Radio provides an opportunity
to serve the country, the people and above all the HUMAN MANKIND.





During natural calamities like earth quakes, floods etc., the service rendered by HAMs
are recognised and appreciated. Being a HAM one can serve the society in many ways
like making available difficult-to-get life-saving drugs from any part of the world
through HAM Radio in time.

During the AMARNATH YATRA `96 disaster, HAMs from all over the country
maintained an emergency network linked from Srinagar to relay messages to the
relatives of the people trapped on the way.

Many lives has been saved from high seas, as any one of the sailors on board where
HAMs. A pilot (HAM ) saved the lives of many people on a passenger airliner which
lost Radio contact with the ATC (Air Traffic Control ) , being an HAM he gave a
distress call ( SOS ) on HAM Radio from the flight above the Indian Ocean and with
the help of a HAM in south India who picked up the signal got in touch with the ATC
via Telephone, helped in a perfect landing of the aeroplane.

TYPES OF LICENCES

In India, there are five grades of Amateur Wireless Telegraph Licence ( AW/T):-

1. Short Wave Listeners Licence.
2. Restricted Grade.
3. Grade II.
4. Grade I.
5. Advanced Grade.

The minimum age for getting a Licence is 12 years of age in India. The Licence fee
for Advanced Grade , Grade I, Grade II / Restricted/SWL are Rs. 50/= , Rs.40/=,
Rs.25/= respectively for a period of two Years.

Exams :-

To obtain a AW/T licence one has to appear for the ASOC examination (Amateur
Station Operators Certificate) conducted by Wireless Planning and Co-ordination Wing
of the Ministry of Communications. The exam is conducted monthly in big cities and
once in two months at other places.

ASOC exam has two parts ;
Part - I :
a) Basic Electronics (Radio Theory and Practice)
b) Rules and Regulations (Indian and
International Radio rules and regulations )
Part - II:
a) Morse code receiving
b) Morse code sending

For Grade II exam it is 5 words per minute test and 12 words per minute for Grade I
and Advanced Grade. For Restricted Grade there is no Morse code test ( but can't
enjoy full fruit of HAM Radio), as it is only a point to point communication Licence.

The examination is NOT DIFFICULT to pass. Do you know a 7 year old in USA has
got a Amateur Wireless Licence.

MORSE CODE : -

Morse Code is an International Language. Since HAMs come from every nook and
corner of the globe there may be language barriers but Morse Code Builds bridges of
friendship.

Morse Transmission is considered as one of the efficient means of communication in
adverse Band (radio frequency) conditions. Now other digital modes have come up
which are as efficient or even more than a Morse transmission. On economical grounds
most of the Indian HAMs cannot afford such costly means of equipment's to enjoy the
full fruit of Amateur Radio.

Once one learns Morse and operate, it is just as hearing music on the air!!. One can
convey messages to the other end much faster than talking. There are special
abbreviations in Amateur Radio that helps in sending messages quickly over radio
known as "Q"codes.

For example if one sends the following in Morse code :-
QRV?
This means `are you ready to receive my signals ?'
QRV
This is the answer that `I am ready to receive your signals'

Notice the speed with which one can communicate. It is only by practice one gains the
speed.

Books related to Amateur Radio are available in leading book shops Viz., `ABC of
Amateur Radio in India'. To study Morse it just takes a matter of two weeks for a
really interested person or it takes the time he or she wishes.

After one gets through the exam he or she has to wait for the decision of the Ministry
for the grant an AW/T licence, that takes a matter of few months.

The different modes used by Amateur Radio operators are :-

Morse, Voice, SSTV (SLOW SCAN TV),FSTV (Fast Scan TV), RTTY(Radio
Teletype), Packet Radio, AMTOR ( Amateur Teleprinting Over Radio), PACTOR (
Packet Teleprinting Over Radio).

There are many Amateur Satellites orbiting and it is very thrilling experience to have
a conversation sitting in one's room with the Robot on board. All SPACE missions so
far has had atleast a HAM Radio Operator (Astronaut) on board. Sitting in your
SHACK ( Radio Room) one can contact the Astronaut and talk to SPACE. Some
satellites have ( HAM ) Robots which will respond to the call and reply back !!

THE RADIO SYSTEM

The Basic requirement of AW/T station is a transmitter / receiver . A transmitter is
used to send the Radio Waves. It Picks up the Voice and converts it to radio frequency
and using the Antenna it radiates the signals. On the other hand at the receiving end
the antenna traps the signals and reproduces the signal into meaningful information (
Intelligence ). There are various modes in which signals are send, Voice, Morse,
Digital Data ( Packets) etc.,

For Amateur Radio various frequency bands are allotted by the International
Telecommunications Union on 3.5 to 3.7 MHz, 7- 7.1 MHz, 14 - 14.350 MHz, 21-
21.450 MHz etc.,

Even using an ordinary Broadcast receiver in one's home with a good external
antenna, one can hear the Amateur Radio Operators conversing on the air.

STATION IDENTIFICATION :-

An Amateur Radio Station is identified by its Call Sign as in the case of the telephone
is the telephone number. As the ISD dial code 91 represents India, VU represents India
followed by a digit 2,3,4,7 etc., followed again by 2 or 3 characters which identifies
the station. So a typical Indian station will have a Call Sign like VU2UKR or
VU3CYL or VU2AWC etc.,

The Call Signs of Sri Lankan stations starts with the prefix 4S7, Pakistan AP2,
Russia RA6, Japan JA3, Germany DL4, USA KC4 etc.,

ESTABLISHING A CONTACT

First tune the Transceiver , if one happens to hear some station and wish to contact,
give a "break in" call. Once the other station replies back to the call and exchange
the signal report, the chat goes on ...... .

One way is to tune to a clear frequency and give a general call on the air. When a
HAM hears, he/she replies back. The other way is to give a directional call (a call to
stations in a particular Continent or Country).

HAMs are all equal, there is no `SIR' or `Mr'. or `Mrs' even if a person is 7 years
old or 70 years old , a male is referred as an `OLD MAN' and similarly a female as
`YOUNG LADY'.

The Amateurs are forbidden to transmit messages related to Business, Religious,
Political, or other matters which can cause communal problems, or matters which can
deprive the Government of its revenue etc.,

NET

"NET" is conducted around the country, meaning National Emergency Traffic. NETs
are conducted daily on different bands at fixed timings and frequencies. Some are
during day and some during night. On a NET, a net controller (HAM) conducts the
NET for the day, he calls in for `check-ins' to the NET. Stations on the NET frequency
give their call signs and wait for there turn and stay on frequency for the duration of
the NET. After checking in, the station stays back on frequency listening to the NET
for any emergency or medical traffic.

If a HAM station requires medical help / emergency he contacts the NET controller
and in turn the NET controller announces it over the band, seeks help from any station
on frequency to meet the emergency and it is handled in a very professional way.

Life saving medicines at time of emergency or an alert of distress, or weather forecast,
band condition, or other needs are handled on the NET. Usually on the NET when
`traffic or emergency communication' is less then HAMs use the NET as a typical
telephone exchange getting HAMs connected by allotting different frequencies for a
group of HAMs for their round table discussion on the air.

Usually HAMs talk more about the technical aspect of radio communications, some are
interested in making friends around the globe, some look for their counterparts having
the same profession.

Some HAMs contact other HAMs (doctors) when they are sick and at home, get their
diagnostics done while lying in there bed over radio !

QSLs

This is yet another Q Code meaning `can you acknowledge receipt'. Once one
establish a two way Radio contact with another station, a special post card is
exchanged Viz. QSL card. This card has the Call Sign of the Station you worked,
date, time, frequency, signal report, his or her equipment and other details of the
station, country, place and other information's of interest.

If one happens to collect 100 QSL Cards of different countries listed by the
AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE one get a prestigious award called "The
DXCC". DX means Distant or Unknown, CC is the Centenary Club. A station outside
India is a DX country for Indians.




FIELD DAY

Field Day as the word itself sound, a day(s) in the field. It is actually an exercise
conducted by a group of HAMs and SWLs to go to some place of interest, say for
example high up on Mountain terrain's, deep in the jungle and Set-up a Amateur Radio
Station and maintain the Radio Network as an awareness program for meeting the
emergency communication requirements during calamities.

During the Field Day the areas of study are mainly Propagation Conditions, Sunspot
Activity, Radio Astronomy, Sporadic Propagation, Location of putting up Antenna,
choice of type of Antenna, Direction, Tuning up the RIG ( HAM equipment) and at
last establishing the contact.

So in a Field Day, SWLs and people who have interest in Radio Communication learn
a lot from the Radio Amateurs, the ways to put up a station, the procedures of
establishing contacts on the network etc.,

It also serves as an opportunity to HAMs and SWLs to meet their HAM friends in
person. Though being great friends over Radio, it is a crazy occasion when one meets
him/her in person, the configuration in mind does not resemble with the actual !!

One can study the basic necessities for setting up an Amateur Radio Station in case of
emergencies, in any adverse situations or at difficult places unfavourable for putting
up a station and to get on with new ideas.

EXPEDITIONS:-

Popularly known as DX-pedition. So as in a Field Day here a group of people venture
out in the Sea to some island, some places Viz. Antarctica, Arctic, Bering islands etc.,

Some venture out for expedition like the SAMUNDRA IV Yatch expedition "BALI
YATRA" to Indonesia. Expeditions to Lakshadeep and Andaman Islands are Popular
around the world. Expedition Team gets the world attention as millions and millions of
HAMs will be looking out for DX-pedition Stations because usually it will have a
different CALL SIGN (special one) and that, one who contacts such a station from an
island is really thrilled to have worked that part of the world which are usually rare.

In India VU7 prefix is given to the DX-pedition Teams to Lakshadeep and Andamans
other than the usual VU2 and VU3 prefix on the main land.

FOX HUNT

It is really a fun, hunting the FOX !!!

A FOX is a Radio Transmitter hidden in some place in the city or town or forest or
where ever it might be, sometimes can't imagine even if it is in the well. It would
transmit Radio Signals from it at intervals of time. The participants of the Fox Hunt
are to locate the hidden transmitter which may be within a range of say 15 to 20 Kms.

A pair is a team, usually equipped with the transceiver (hand held), Beam Antenna
connected to it. Some mount it on top of their vehicles and some hold in their arms
while using a two wheeler. So one can find crazy people carrying Beam Antenna
in their hand while on the road, referring to the maps, using the direction finder to
locate the hidden fox.

The team which finds the fox is rewarded.





AMATEUR SATELLITES

There are Amateur Satellites or simply satellites carrying Amateur Radio on board.
These Satellite Radio Amateur Stations are Microprocessor controlled. The Signals
are beamed to the orbiting satellite and get the acknowledgement. Mostly the
communications will be of short duration, exchange of signal reports, location etc.,

Some satellites are used as repeater station, one station UPLINKS the signal to the
satellite and the signal is retransmitted [ DOWNLINKS ] to ground covering a large
area [ Foot Print ] on another frequency. The communication between two stations
can only be sustained while both the stations are in the foot print of the satellite.

Amateur Radio Satellites can be utilised for the thirst of Knowledge of SPACE. It can
create an awareness of SPACE, Astronomy, Space Technology, Different Modes of
Communications like high speed data transfer etc.,

One gets an opportunity to communicate with an Astronaut on the space station and
check one's system performance and even carry out radio experiments guided by
them, a rare opportunity for a common man to even talk to Cosmonaut on a LIVE
mission.

Many HAMs in India were able to contact many satellites , to name a few the Russian
MIR ORBITING SPACE STATION with a Call Sign U2MIR, this station has been
put up on board to minimise the boredom of the Cosmonaut as they can feel at home.

Many curious students from a Bangalore school which has a Amateur Radio station in
school were able to contact / talk to the Astronauts on the ` STS-55 SHUTTLE
RADIO AMATEUR EXPERIMENT ' space SHUTTLE COLUMBIA and get some of
their queries cleared which were not answerable by books and people in and around !

There are computer program (software) to exactly predict the movement of satellites
over the horizon, time, angle at which etc., all that has to be input is the local time
and place (location). There are other interesting software programs which can control
the antenna rotator and can automatically beam towards the satellite and track till it is
having a foot print over the area

PACKET RADIO

In this mode of communication the Data/Messages are sent using a computer, which is connected to a
Radio Modem + Transceiver. In this type of communication data is send as Packets of Information to the
other end as RADIO WAVES. There are different Protocols used in this system, the software used for this
ensures that the data received in error free. At a particular point of time one station can get connected to as
many as 10 stations and exchange information There are Bulletin Boards and Mail Boxes across the
continent.


Basic requirement of this state of the art technology communication is a COMPUTER, RADIO MODEM,
TRANSCEIVER, ANTENNA and the SOFTWARE.

The best way to become a HAM is to get in touch with a local active HAM or a club.
Books on this subject is available at leading book shops, EFY Enterprises, BPB
publications etc., Correspondence courses are also being conducted by Kerala
Amateur Radio League. Morse code which most people think / say is difficult but if it
is mastered in the way it should be then it is a matter of few days. The two main
things to become a radio amateur is the " THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE " and
"SERVICE MINDEDNESS "

THE FASCINATING WORLD OF
- AMATEUR RADIO -

Amateur Radio is a scientific hobby of Self training, technical investigation in the
world wide Radio communication carried out by duly authorised Persons without any
pecuniary interest.

Amateur Radio is an International hobby. An Amateur Radio operator is called a HAM
or Radio Amateur. HAM stands for The first letter of 3 pioneers in the field of Radio
communication viz., Hertz Armstrong and Marconi. This is a hobby that requires a
licence from the concerned authorities of their respective Government.

HAMs use transceivers for communication (Transmitter and Receiver). Will you not be
surprised to know that, every minute of the day there will be hundred and hundreds of
Amateur Radio operators operating their equipment around the world. One can make
global friends, exchange views, ideas, explore the culture, lifestyles with the HAM
friends.

One can utilise his/her free time creatively by Amateur Radio. One doesn't feel lonely
even if nobody is at home, if he or she is a HAM, the world comes into the confines of
their room anywhere anytime.

After getting the licence and going `ON THE AIR' one will find people from
different walks of life, like people from electronics, computers, space, medicine,
farming, film industry, students, teachers, VIPs are a few to name.

Imagine HAMs playing chess sitting in their rooms across the continents !!

There are about 10,000 HAMs in India, out of which only a few thousands are active
on the air. The scene is different in other countries like Japan, USA etc., which has
millions of active Radio Amateurs. After getting the licence from the Ministry of
Communications and going on the air one has the privilege of making friends all
round the globe. It's a whole special way of making friends.

The real thrill of Amateur Radio is while making contacts across the oceans, across the
seas from one's own home made equipment, even though one can get an imported
multi-band all-mode transceiver.

One can make or get assembled transceivers at much less price than the imported ones,
yes but with less features. One can start the hobby with an ordinary broadcast receiver
( 2 or 3 band Transistor Radio) and then after getting the licence, he or she can be on
the AIR with a low power SET-UP costing just around Rs. 1,500/= or else one
should be a member of an Amateur Radio Club.

HAM Radio is used for self training and investigation in the field of electronic
communications carried out by licensed persons. HAM Radio provides an opportunity
to serve the country, the people and above all the HUMAN MANKIND.





During natural calamities like earth quakes, floods etc., the service rendered by HAMs
are recognised and appreciated. Being a HAM one can serve the society in many ways
like making available difficult-to-get life-saving drugs from any part of the world
through HAM Radio in time.

During the AMARNATH YATRA `96 disaster, HAMs from all over the country
maintained an emergency network linked from Srinagar to relay messages to the
relatives of the people trapped on the way.

Many lives has been saved from high seas, as any one of the sailors on board where
HAMs. A pilot (HAM ) saved the lives of many people on a passenger airliner which
lost Radio contact with the ATC (Air Traffic Control ) , being an HAM he gave a
distress call ( SOS ) on HAM Radio from the flight above the Indian Ocean and with
the help of a HAM in south India who picked up the signal got in touch with the ATC
via Telephone, helped in a perfect landing of the aeroplane.

TYPES OF LICENCES

In India, there are five grades of Amateur Wireless Telegraph Licence ( AW/T):-

1. Short Wave Listeners Licence.
2. Restricted Grade.
3. Grade II.
4. Grade I.
5. Advanced Grade.

The minimum age for getting a Licence is 12 years of age in India. The Licence fee
for Advanced Grade , Grade I, Grade II / Restricted/SWL are Rs. 50/= , Rs.40/=,
Rs.25/= respectively for a period of two Years.

Exams :-

To obtain a AW/T licence one has to appear for the ASOC examination (Amateur
Station Operators Certificate) conducted by Wireless Planning and Co-ordination Wing
of the Ministry of Communications. The exam is conducted monthly in big cities and
once in two months at other places.

ASOC exam has two parts ;
Part - I :
a) Basic Electronics (Radio Theory and Practice)
b) Rules and Regulations (Indian and
International Radio rules and regulations )
Part - II:
a) Morse code receiving
b) Morse code sending

For Grade II exam it is 5 words per minute test and 12 words per minute for Grade I
and Advanced Grade. For Restricted Grade there is no Morse code test ( but can't
enjoy full fruit of HAM Radio), as it is only a point to point communication Licence.

The examination is NOT DIFFICULT to pass. Do you know a 7 year old in USA has
got a Amateur Wireless Licence.

MORSE CODE : -

Morse Code is an International Language. Since HAMs come from every nook and
corner of the globe there may be language barriers but Morse Code Builds bridges of
friendship.

Morse Transmission is considered as one of the efficient means of communication in
adverse Band (radio frequency) conditions. Now other digital modes have come up
which are as efficient or even more than a Morse transmission. On economical grounds
most of the Indian HAMs cannot afford such costly means of equipment's to enjoy the
full fruit of Amateur Radio.

Once one learns Morse and operate, it is just as hearing music on the air!!. One can
convey messages to the other end much faster than talking. There are special
abbreviations in Amateur Radio that helps in sending messages quickly over radio
known as "Q"codes.

For example if one sends the following in Morse code :-
QRV?
This means `are you ready to receive my signals ?'
QRV
This is the answer that `I am ready to receive your signals'

Notice the speed with which one can communicate. It is only by practice one gains the
speed.

Books related to Amateur Radio are available in leading book shops Viz., `ABC of
Amateur Radio in India'. To study Morse it just takes a matter of two weeks for a
really interested person or it takes the time he or she wishes.

After one gets through the exam he or she has to wait for the decision of the Ministry
for the grant an AW/T licence, that takes a matter of few months.

The different modes used by Amateur Radio operators are :-

Morse, Voice, SSTV (SLOW SCAN TV),FSTV (Fast Scan TV), RTTY(Radio
Teletype), Packet Radio, AMTOR ( Amateur Teleprinting Over Radio), PACTOR (
Packet Teleprinting Over Radio).

There are many Amateur Satellites orbiting and it is very thrilling experience to have
a conversation sitting in one's room with the Robot on board. All SPACE missions so
far has had atleast a HAM Radio Operator (Astronaut) on board. Sitting in your
SHACK ( Radio Room) one can contact the Astronaut and talk to SPACE. Some
satellites have ( HAM ) Robots which will respond to the call and reply back !!

THE RADIO SYSTEM

The Basic requirement of AW/T station is a transmitter / receiver . A transmitter is
used to send the Radio Waves. It Picks up the Voice and converts it to radio frequency
and using the Antenna it radiates the signals. On the other hand at the receiving end
the antenna traps the signals and reproduces the signal into meaningful information (
Intelligence ). There are various modes in which signals are send, Voice, Morse,
Digital Data ( Packets) etc.,

For Amateur Radio various frequency bands are allotted by the International
Telecommunications Union on 3.5 to 3.7 MHz, 7- 7.1 MHz, 14 - 14.350 MHz, 21-
21.450 MHz etc.,

Even using an ordinary Broadcast receiver in one's home with a good external
antenna, one can hear the Amateur Radio Operators conversing on the air.

STATION IDENTIFICATION :-

An Amateur Radio Station is identified by its Call Sign as in the case of the telephone
is the telephone number. As the ISD dial code 91 represents India, VU represents India
followed by a digit 2,3,4,7 etc., followed again by 2 or 3 characters which identifies
the station. So a typical Indian station will have a Call Sign like VU2UKR or
VU3CYL or VU2AWC etc.,

The Call Signs of Sri Lankan stations starts with the prefix 4S7, Pakistan AP2,
Russia RA6, Japan JA3, Germany DL4, USA KC4 etc.,

ESTABLISHING A CONTACT

First tune the Transceiver , if one happens to hear some station and wish to contact,
give a "break in" call. Once the other station replies back to the call and exchange
the signal report, the chat goes on ...... .

One way is to tune to a clear frequency and give a general call on the air. When a
HAM hears, he/she replies back. The other way is to give a directional call (a call to
stations in a particular Continent or Country).

HAMs are all equal, there is no `SIR' or `Mr'. or `Mrs' even if a person is 7 years
old or 70 years old , a male is referred as an `OLD MAN' and similarly a female as
`YOUNG LADY'.

The Amateurs are forbidden to transmit messages related to Business, Religious,
Political, or other matters which can cause communal problems, or matters which can
deprive the Government of its revenue etc.,

NET

"NET" is conducted around the country, meaning National Emergency Traffic. NETs
are conducted daily on different bands at fixed timings and frequencies. Some are
during day and some during night. On a NET, a net controller (HAM) conducts the
NET for the day, he calls in for `check-ins' to the NET. Stations on the NET frequency
give their call signs and wait for there turn and stay on frequency for the duration of
the NET. After checking in, the station stays back on frequency listening to the NET
for any emergency or medical traffic.

If a HAM station requires medical help / emergency he contacts the NET controller
and in turn the NET controller announces it over the band, seeks help from any station
on frequency to meet the emergency and it is handled in a very professional way.

Life saving medicines at time of emergency or an alert of distress, or weather forecast,
band condition, or other needs are handled on the NET. Usually on the NET when
`traffic or emergency communication' is less then HAMs use the NET as a typical
telephone exchange getting HAMs connected by allotting different frequencies for a
group of HAMs for their round table discussion on the air.

Usually HAMs talk more about the technical aspect of radio communications, some are
interested in making friends around the globe, some look for their counterparts having
the same profession.

Some HAMs contact other HAMs (doctors) when they are sick and at home, get their
diagnostics done while lying in there bed over radio !

QSLs

This is yet another Q Code meaning `can you acknowledge receipt'. Once one
establish a two way Radio contact with another station, a special post card is
exchanged Viz. QSL card. This card has the Call Sign of the Station you worked,
date, time, frequency, signal report, his or her equipment and other details of the
station, country, place and other information's of interest.

Amateur Radio discussion
Topics HAM Radio DXing, Emergency traffic
Disaster Communication network Project Contest
Digital Technology Sound Card Interface
Indian Satellite VUSAT HAMsat
Antennas Software Circuits chematic
Qro Qrp Am Ssb Cw SSTV RTTY PSK31 PACKET Rigs Qsl DXcc
ATS-1 RM96 NR60
Quad VHF HF UHF Delta Loop RCL Yagi Quagi
Linear Amplifier 807 813 6146

Amateur Radio discussion
Topics HAM Radio DXing, Emergency traffic
Disaster Communication network Project Contest
Digital Technology Sound Card Interface
Indian Satellite VUSAT HAMsat
Antennas Software Circuits chematic
Qro Qrp Am Ssb Cw SSTV RTTY PSK31 PACKET Rigs Qsl DXcc
ATS-1 RM96 NR60
Quad VHF HF UHF Delta Loop RCL Yagi Quagi
Linear Amplifier 807 813 6146

Amateur Radio discussion
Topics HAM Radio DXing, Emergency traffic
Disaster Communication network Project Contest
Digital Technology Sound Card Interface
Indian Satellite VUSAT HAMsat
Antennas Software Circuits chematic
Qro Qrp Am Ssb Cw SSTV RTTY PSK31 PACKET Rigs Qsl DXcc
ATS-1 RM96 NR60
Quad VHF HF UHF Delta Loop RCL Yagi Quagi
Linear Amplifier 807 813 6146

Amateur Radio discussion
Topics HAM Radio DXing, Emergency traffic
Disaster Communication network Project Contest
Digital Technology Sound Card Interface
Indian Satellite VUSAT HAMsat
Antennas Software Circuits chematic
Qro Qrp Am Ssb Cw SSTV RTTY PSK31 PACKET Rigs Qsl DXcc
ATS-1 RM96 NR60
Quad VHF HF UHF Delta Loop RCL Yagi Quagi
Linear Amplifier 807 813 6146

Amateur Radio discussion
Topics HAM Radio DXing, Emergency traffic
Disaster Communication network Project Contest
Digital Technology Sound Card Interface
Indian Satellite VUSAT HAMsat
Antennas Software Circuits chematic
Qro Qrp Am Ssb Cw SSTV RTTY PSK31 PACKET Rigs Qsl DXcc
ATS-1 RM96 NR60
Quad VHF HF UHF Delta Loop RCL Yagi Quagi
Linear Amplifier 807 813 6146

Amateur Radio discussion
Topics HAM Radio DXing, Emergency traffic
Disaster Communication network Project Contest
Digital Technology Sound Card Interface
Indian Satellite VUSAT HAMsat
Antennas Software Circuits chematic
Qro Qrp Am Ssb Cw SSTV RTTY PSK31 PACKET Rigs Qsl DXcc
ATS-1 RM96 NR60
Quad VHF HF UHF Delta Loop RCL Yagi Quagi
Linear Amplifier 807 813 6146

Amateur Radio discussion
Topics HAM Radio DXing, Emergency traffic
Disaster Communication network Project Contest
Digital Technology Sound Card Interface
Indian Satellite VUSAT HAMsat
Antennas Software Circuits chematic
Qro Qrp Am Ssb Cw SSTV RTTY PSK31 PACKET Rigs Qsl DXcc
ATS-1 RM96 NR60
Quad VHF HF UHF Delta Loop RCL Yagi Quagi
Linear Amplifier 807 813 6146

ham radio amateur radio india India indian hamfest transmitter Wireless cq
Welcome
Worldwide Amateur Radio Enthusiasts Homebrewers Dxers

Amateur Radio discussion
Topics HAM Radio DXing, Emergency traffic
Disaster Communication network Project Contest
Digital Technology Sound Card Interface
Indian Satellite VUSAT HAMsat
Antennas Software Circuits chematic
Qro Qrp Am Ssb Cw SSTV RTTY PSK31 PACKET Rigs Qsl DXcc
ATS-1 RM96 NR60
Quad VHF HF UHF Delta Loop RCL Yagi Quagi
Linear Amplifier 807 813 6146

To help novice to get start in the hobby

ham radio amateur radio india India indian hamfest transmitter Wireless cq
Welcome
Worldwide Amateur Radio Enthusiasts Homebrewers Dxers

Amateur Radio discussion
Topics HAM Radio DXing, Emergency traffic
Disaster Communication network Project Contest
Digital Technology Sound Card Interface
Indian Satellite VUSAT HAMsat
Antennas Software Circuits chematic
Qro Qrp Am Ssb Cw SSTV RTTY PSK31 PACKET Rigs Qsl DXcc
ATS-1 RM96 NR60
Quad VHF HF UHF Delta Loop RCL Yagi Quagi
Linear Amplifier 807 813 6146

To help novice to get start in the hobby