What is Amateur Radio (HAM Radio) ? - by Kusal Epa 4S7KE |
What
is Amateur Radio ?
Amateur
Radio is the practice of two way radio communication between two or more licenced amateur radio operators. Amateur Radio is used by
those who have an interest in radio communication techniques, construction and
operation and for ensuing friendships with likely minded individuals throughout
the world. It is not used as a means of profit or for business purposes.
The Amateur
Radio Service is defined as "a radio communication service for the purpose
of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out
by amateurs, that is, duly authorized persons interested in radio technique
solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary (monetary) interest."
Amateur
Radio is a worldwide service recognized in almost all countries. It helps the
transmission and reception of radio signals as an amateur experimental
activity. Radio Amateurs also place their services on a voluntary capacity in
social service and emergency situations.
An Amateur
operator is a person holding a valid license to operate an amateur radio
station. In
Amateur
Radio operators come from various backgrounds, there
are Engineers, Doctors, Accountants, Teachers, Farmers, Students and others in
many professions who operate amateur radio. There are many who as youngsters
started Amateur Radio as a hobby and later converted it to a career in
Electronics and Communications.
Some of the
famous people who operate ham radio are King Juan Carlos of
King Moulay Hassan of Morocco, King Bhumiphol Adulayadej of Thailand,
Actor Marlon Brando, and Sonia Gandhi of India. Late Rajiv Gandhi, King Birendra
of
Ham radio
operators use two-way radio stations from their homes, cars and outdoors to
make hundreds of friends around town and around the world. They communicate
with each other using voice, computers, and Morse code. Some hams bounce their
signals off the upper regions of the atmosphere, so they can talk with hams on
the other side of the world. Other hams use satellites. Many use hand-held
radios that fit in their pockets
Amateur radio,
or "ham" radio, has been around for over ninety years, and is for
people of all ages, including teens. It's a unique way to communicate
over the airwaves to other people around the world of various age, profession
and culture.
Hams
exchange pictures of each other using television. Some also like to work on
electronic circuits, building their own radios and antennas. A few pioneers in
Amateur Radio have even contributed to advances in technology that we all enjoy
today.
To get a
amateur radio licence, one needs to pass multiple-choice
exams in radio theory, regulations and Morse Code (for some licence
types).
The amateur
radio service requires its users to have a valid amateur radio license in order
to operate legally. Once licensed, hams may operate on
designated bands for there license class. License holders are also
permitted to design, build, modify and repair their own equipment.
Some really
dedicated hams enjoy taking the hobby to the extreme. This includes using
satellites, bouncing signals off the moon, connecting local radio systems
around the world though real-time Internet streaming audio, and even amateur
television where operators can see each other as they talk! There are even
ham-astronauts who take radios with them on the International Space Station and
thrill thousands of hams on earth with a call from space!
Public
Safety - Ham radio
is not only a fun pass time, but also helps out the general public in times of
communication needs. This includes public events such as scout jamborees,
road races and marathons, and even extends to natural disasters such as
earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods when conventional communications methods
are out of service. Today, many Radio Amateurs are active in public service and
emergency communications organizations. Amateur radio operators have played a
prominent role in providing communications in the event of natural disaster or
in civil emergency situations where existing data and voice networks are either
inoperative or insufficient.
How can one become an
Amateur Radio operator ?
One has to obtain a licence to become a Radio
Amateur. This licence is issued by the
Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC).
What is the procedure
for obtaining the Amateur Radio licence ? One has to sit the Radio Amateur Examination conducted by the TRC and
obtain a pass in the examination. Afterwards he/she can apply for the Amateur
Radio licence which will be issued by the TRC subject
to security clearance by the Ministry of Interior. Annual licence fee range from Rs.50-100 for different classes of licence.
How
can one sit the Radio Amateur Examination ?
The Radio
Amateur Examination is held by the TRC twice a year. The application procedure
is published in the government Gazette. The Examination is held in 3 levels
which will grant 3 classes of amateur radio licences.
The Examination consist of Question papers based on
Electronics and Radio Communication Techniques and Amateur Radio operating
regulations, practices and procedures. For some classes of licenses a practical
Morse Code test has to be passed.
What
are the different classes of Amateur Radio licences ?
Novice
Class :
Examination consist of a Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) Paper. VHF amateur band operation is permitted.
There are
two subclasses of Novice class called Novice A and Novice B.
Those who
pass only the theory paper are granted Novice B and assigned a callsign with prefix 4S5.
Those who
also pass the Morse Code Test at 5 wpm (Words per minute) will be granted
Novice A licence and assigned a Callsign
with 4S6 prefix. Novice A class will
have the additional privilege of limited HF operation. Novice B class has 4S5
prefix in callsign, and does not require to pass
Morse code test
Those who
pass the theory paper can get the Novice B licence
and upgrade it to Novice A at a later stage by passing the 5wpm Morse Code
Test.
General
Class –
Examination consist of a MCQ paper and a Morse Code Test at 12 wpm.
Callsign
will have 4S7 prefix, UHF, VHF and HF amateur band operation is permitted.
Advanced
Class –
Examination consist of an Essay type Question Paper and a Morse Code Test at 20
wpm. Callsign will have 4S7 prefix and UHF, VHF and
HF amateur band operation is permitted at higher transmitter output power than
that of General Class.
(VHF – Very High Frequency, UHF – Ultra High Frequency, HF
– High Frequency. Generally UHF/VHF operation allow communication for short distances
while HF communication allow greater distances even overseas)
Where
can the one obtain the syllabuses of amateur radio examination
?
Syllabuses,
past examination papers and any other related information can be obtained from
the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission. TRC is located near the RMV
Office.
The Address
is
Telecommunication
Regulatory Commission (TRC)
276, Elvitigala Mawatha,
Tel :
011-2689345, 011-2689351, 011-2689352
Fax : 011-2689341
Website : www.trc.gov.lk
What
is the role of the Radio Society of
The Radio
Society of Sri Lanka (RSSL) is the national body representing licensed Amateur
(Ham) Radio Operators in
The RSSL is
incorporated in
The Radio
society of
What
are the benefits of becoming a member of RSSL.?
Becoming a
member of RSSL entitles newcomers to have the guidance, experience and backing
of licenced Radio Amateurs before and after obtaining
Amateur Radio licence. RSSL looks after the interests
of Radio Amateurs in SL and represents them in matters affecting them to TRC , Ministry of Interior and other Authorities. RSSL also
conducts monthly General Meetings, classes for members who intend to sit Radio
Amateur exam, outings, contests and field trips to enhance the knowledge of
Amateur Radio and to promote fellowship among members.
Members
also receive a free monthly newsletter.
How
can one become a member of RSSL ?
Any person
who is interested in Electronics and /or Amateur Radio can apply for RSSL
membership. Amateur radio licence holders are
enrolled as Corporate Members while others are enrolled as Associate Members.
Students under 18 yrs are enrolled as Student Members. There are two other
categories of Membership for Affiliated Clubs and Overseas Members.
Membership
application forms can be obtained from the RSSL by post sending a long stamped
addressed envelope or downloaded from the RSSL Web site.
How
can one get in touch with RSSL ?
The
correspondence address of RSSL is
The RSSL
Web site is www.qsl.net/rssl
Office
Bearers and Members of RSSL could be met at the monthly General Meetings.
Monthly
General meetings of RSSL are usually held on the last Wednesday of every month
at 5.30pm.
(Please
verify date of meeting before attending)
Currently the meetings are held at Balcony Hall of the Otters Aquatic Club, 380 / 1, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7