Feb 23, 2009

Becoming a HAM Radio Operator in India

Amateur radio, often called HAM Radio, is both a hobby and a service in which participants, called "hams," use various types of radio comunications equipment to communicate with other radio amateurs for public service , recreation and self-training. Amateur radio operators / HAMS enjoy personal (and often worldwide) wireless communications with each other and are able to support their communities with emergency and disaster communications if necessary, while increasing their personal knowledge of electronics and radio theory. An estimated six million people throughout the world are regularly involved with amateur radio and its a very addictive passion like photography, adventure sports etc.

Amateur radio or HAM Radio is practised by more than 16,000 licensed users in India. The first amateur radio operator was licensed in 1921, and by the mid-1930s, there were around 20 amateur radio operators in India. Amateur radio operators have played a vital role during disasters and national emergencies such as earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones, floods, and bomb blasts, by providing voluntary emergency communications in the affected areas.

The first step is to get an amateur radio license in India from the ministry of communications/Wireless Planning Commission(WPC) . For the same, you have to write and pass an exam, and depending upon the category of license you are applying for, you may also need to learn the morse code. Don't worry that it would be too technical, its simple stuff which you need to learn and within reach of anybody, not essentially only engineers/tech folks.



This examination is held monthly in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai , every two months in Ahmedabad, Nagpur and Hyderabad, and every four months in some smaller cities, but it all depends on number of applicants . The examination consists of two 50-mark written sections: Radio theory and practice, Regulations; and a practical test consisting of a demonstration of Morse code proficiency in both sending and receiving for Grade I & II. After passing the examination, the candidate must then clear a police verification process . After clearance, the WPC grants the licence along with the user-chosen call sign. This procedure can take up to 12 months.
The catogories of licenses are;
i) Advanced Amateur Wireless telegraph Station Licence; You need to know a lot of advanced electronics theory, plus be able to send and receive morse at 15 words per minute.
(ii) Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence, Grade - I; Advance electronics theory - and morse at the speed of 15 words per minute.
(ii) Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence, Grade - II; A brief theory exam, plus morse at a speed of 5 words per minute.
(iii) Restited Grade Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence Only the theory exam and no morse. This restricted licence allows you to use VHF/UHF equipment, that is limited in range to line of sight type of distances, similar to the ones used by police and other services.
(iv) Short Wave Listeners' Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence No exams, no morse! You can only listen - you can't talk back, not very exciting really.

Who can apply?
Only individuals over the age of 18 may apply to become a ham. But even if you are not 18 yet, do not despair. If you are over 12 and can get your parents or guardians to write that you are interested in wireless telegraphy, you can still get a ham radio licence.

For all those interested, the book "ABC of Amateur Radio and Citizen Band: Authored by Rajesh Verma" is available in Bangalore at below address, alternatively you could send them a DD along with courier charges and they will courier it to you.

EFY Enterprises No:9 , 17th Main 1st Cross,
HAL 2nd Stage, Behind Bajaj Showroom , Indira Nagar , Bangalore - 8 , Tel : 25260394
Cost : Rs.75

Once you are prepared , for taking the exams we may need to apply to the nearest Wireless Planning commission's monitoring station which in Chennai is locate at Perungudi. If there are more than 25 people they would come to any place we decide, else we may need to go there.

Some senior HAMS in Chennai through this free webspace are trying to bring together few interested HAM enthusiasts/SWL as a study group and propose to guide new comers to take up the ASOC exams including conduct weekend classes . Pls spread this messaage among your friends also and all interested people in Chennai Region pls send a mail and register at hamexams@gmail.com.
If you would like to watch live as to once you get your India HAM Radio License , how do you setup a basic Ham Radio station and what are the essentials/options for that , visit below link for some good videos , this info is courtesy VU3MES.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sKwzb7INXs&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YysVmkqAMfo&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3juOZCMDVZQ&feature=channel

29 comments:

  1. ham radio related videos - links
    hello deepan and other friends,
    here are some links on ham radio from youtube. though these videos are widely available on the net, i have posted the links here to save the time searching for them for interested persons. the first three links are basic stuff mainly the introductory part of it, how to set up a station, antennas, making the first contacts on air and so on.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sKwzb7INXs&feature=channel
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YysVmkqAMfo&feature=channel
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3juOZCMDVZQ&feature=channel
    these clips are from the famous US ham, KURT who posts very informative video clips on his 'expert village - ham guru' series. i hope these links works and more links can be posted on different aspects of ham radio like contests, digital modes, setting ups antennas, vintage radios and so on.
    73s now vu3mes

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  2. for people who want to try their hand on digital modes three video links are given, courtesy K7AGE, RANDY who have got a big collection on A to Z on operating psk 31. i myself have tried some of these methods successfully.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQpBGh9RMEQ

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaAXMzGIUGA&feature=PlayList&p=8D7C6EBD6E2081E2&playnext=1&index=3

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmsFhz_dyAg&feature=PlayList&p=8D7C6EBD6E2081E2&index=1

    for further details google -key word K7AGE+PSK31

    73S VU3MES SATYAN

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  3. good nice very useful information for my geography project

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  4. how do I renew my licence, got lapsed 4 years back. ram - vu3rcn

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  5. Hi,
    I was holding a HAM radio licence in the year 1971-74 and gave up the hobby after I joined government service and left Chennai. Have now retired from service and wish to take up the hobby again.How do I go about getting a fresh licence and can you kindly give me the address and contact numbers of the Monitoring station at Perungudi, Chennai please?
    Thanks
    Babu

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  6. What is the cost of a basic ham radio set?

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  7. I really like the way the whole process is explained here. It looks like any one can write the exam, pass and the license would be issued in a couple of months time. This is nothing but a sad joke.

    I have cleared this exam way back in June 2009. Still nothing has moved. WPC office in Delhi, says they are waiting "Home Ministry" clearance (for the past two years). This clearance is issued by various security and police agencies, organisations which in India are not very "people friendly" organisations. So a person have no clue, on what verifications needs to be done, when it will be done. We can wait till eternity.

    There are really many other hobbies, which a person can take up, without the requirement of walking from one police station to other asking the status of the verification (unless your hobby is visiting police stations).

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  8. hi , I am a student from Chennai. I want to buy a Amateur Receiver and Transmitter. Can somebody help me. I have a lot of options in market. I am confused. I want to get a Transceiver that is of multi-purpose, like AM, FM, CW etc in a single kit if one such exits. Please guide me

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  9. hi, iam a student from chennai. im planning to appear for ASOC exam by Feb. before writing , i just want to have a look at any complete Ham Station to know about the equipments(receivers and transmitters what people use). Can any Ham operator help me out by giving a chance to have a look at your Ham set up and also a chance to see on-air communications,..

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  10. i m a student of b-tech(communication engg).any body help me to made a fm transmitter which distance will 15km

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  11. i am doing my collage in Coimbatore
    can anyone tell where to write the exam for the license

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    Replies
    1. Every sunday HAM classes are held in Ashoka Plaza,dr.nanjappa road,coimbatore.you can call Mr Anantakumar 9894636731. suresh

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    2. Hi please join the classess at Coimbatore On Sunday 10 am to 12noon at Asokaplaza Gandhipuram Coimbatore Contact 9894636731

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    3. Can some one help to motivate people to join this hobby ( World ham day April 18th)

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    4. IN COIMBATORE YOU CAN CONTACT MANOHAR IN HIS MOBIL NO 9489917887 OR GANESAN IN 93636105352

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    5. IN COIMBATORE YOU CAN CONTACT MANOHAR IN HIS MOBIL NO 9489917887 OR GANESAN IN 93636105352

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  12. It illegal to operate fm transmitter more than 10 nano watts

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  13. I am 48, and wish to become a HAM. Can any one help me in cuddalore.

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    Replies
    1. I AM SURESH ADVOCATE FROM CUDDALORE
      MOB 9488447301
      I AM ALSO SEARCHING. IF YOU FOUND INFORMATION PLEASE FORWARD TO ME nbsuresh@gmail.com

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    2. Sir,
      I am Suresh Advocate from Cuddalore.
      I am also interesting to become HAM.
      If found information then please forward to me
      nbsuresh@gmail.com
      Mob : 9488447301

      Delete
  14. hai,

    i haven't yet got the license. but before that i wanted to buy a general receiver that's capable of receiving ssb, cw and other hams,.. can any one suggest any radio and where can i get in chennai.

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  15. hi,

    i haven't got license yet. but before i would like to get buy a general receive that capable of receiving ssb, cw and other hams for listening. If anybody is willing to sell any such receiver please give a call +9965180402. or can any one suggest where can i buy one at chennai.

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  16. i want to become a ham member in chennai, for that what i have to & whom i should contact for this
    Balasubramanian reply to vbala1962@yahoo.co.in

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  17. HI Bala,

    Go through this below mention link....

    http://www.riverdevil.org/hamradiolicencetutorial/hamradiolicencingtutorial.htm

    Regards,
    Venky
    +91-9489515124

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  18. I want to become a HAM member in Tirupur, Please guide me for that.

    Best regards

    Vimal

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  19. I want to become a ham radio operator please guide me any one please

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  20. Sir,
    I am vivek .i am a student. i belong to HYDERABAD ( Teleangana) .
    I am also interesting to become HAM.so please tel me the instute in hyderabad and also how to apply for ham
    If found information then please forward to me
    vivekk657@gmail.com
    Mob :9885807032

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  21. hi,
    i am going to use uhf band
    so i need licence can anybody guide through all these procedures
    like applying for exam in delhi-ncr and getting a license!!!
    please help!!!!
    mail me at
    sanchitmishra1999@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete