ASOL group Exam conducted at SRM University-Chennai on March 14th 2010

After a long gap of several years , due to efforts of few like minded HAMS an ASOL group exam sessions was organised in Chennai exclusively for students of SRM university interested in this hobby . On March 14th 2010 37 students from SRM university appeared for Grade II and restricted grade ASOL exam .

Thanks to the untiring and committed efforts of VU2CSM who ensured that the students were trained well in all aspects of HAM Radio for couple of months before they were fully ready for the exam . The university students had a valid reason for the urgency in taking up this ASOL exam as the university is launching a nano satellite for amateur operators in collaboration with ISRO.

SRM university is planning to launch a MICRO SATELLITE which is a multi disciplinary research initiative involving faculty and students of Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Computer Science and Chemical engineering and th target is to launch the satellite named SRMSAT - around July 2010.

The 15 watt satellite will weigh between 10 and 15 kg and measure one meter cube.The project is estimated at Rs 2 crore and the construction of the satellite is being carried out within the university's premises. Shortly the university will also have a HAM Radio club station which will be operational . Thanks to Chennai WPC officials who conducted the exam at SRM premises and Vu2ABS Aravind as well as other HAMS for the logistics arrangements/support.

Probably this is the last batch of students/SWL's appearing for the ASOL exams in Chennai as per the old syllabus pattern. From April 2010 the ASOL WPC exam syllabus and the examination pattern is going to change to a new format which would mutiple answer choice questions . Let us all wait for the good news whether this makes the whole process simpler for budding HAMS in any way, although info is morse code would continue for timebeing .

HAM Radio Demo & Presentation at "Trek Polama" event

“Trek Polama” event conducted by Chennai Trekkers Club proved to be a wonderful success . VU2ABS who is also an active HAM presented a special session to a packed audience on HAM Radio & its use in Emergency communications . Union Minister of State Mr.Napolean , who is also an avid photographer graced the occasion and interacted with all and was quite interested in CTC activities including HAM Radio communications.

VU2ABS Arvind giving the presentation with a small live radio shack on display in background.

A "Garmin" GPS on display

The aim was to increase awareness of trekking in the local community, a healthier and more adventurous lifestyle, bring people closer to nature to build more environmental awareness and get more people infected by the CTC spirit.

Almost 1000+ CTC members and general public participated in the event which started at 2:00 pm with various sessions related to trekking, GPS & Navigation, mountaineering, wildlife, butterflies, snakes and offcourse HAM Radio & Emergency communication.

The presentation session by VU2ABS was quite interesting with both technically as well info of general nature on the benefits of HAM Radio to the trekking community . Presentation also included few video clips CTC members greatly appreciated the value of HAM Radio as most of the forest / hills and remote forest locations they trek do not have cell phone coverage and hence HAM Radio would be a great communication tool.

The mini shack with Wouxun handy
& Yaesu FT All Band base station + antennas

Many of them have expressed interest to take up the ASOC exams to become licensed HAMS and endeavour is to ensure that by year end atleast 100+ ctc members should be becoming licensed HAMS so that there are more people on the band in chennai to share of the passion of this unique hobby.

One of the presentation slides.

CTC Member , VU2ABS + Harmonic & VU3VWR with a HAM banner in the background

Today the most important step to be taken by HAM’s is to ensure that in the face of stiff competition from other modes of communication like Cellphones/e-mail etc as well as people having various options for a hobby, how do we attract more youngsters to become HAMS and continue this passion to years to come. CTC like platforms could be the ideal lauchpads to catapult HAM hobby to next level.

For full photo album pls click here.

Congrats to VU2ABS Aravind for his initiative in this direction and we hope more such public awareness events to attract younsters on the joy of HAM Radio are conducted in Chennai in the near future.