My Ham Radio Station DENIAL OF LICENCE TO HAM RADIO ENTHUSIASTS FROM THE NORTH EASTERN STATES OF INDIA |
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Sri Ranjit Chaliha, VU2RCH- an ardent radio experimenter and an expert ham from Assam.
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For the last 9 years, no ham radio licences have been issued
to those who have passed ASOC examination from the North Eastern States of India, which is
defeating the very purpose of ham radio. It may be mentioned that North East is
one of the most peaceful places in the world. Sri Ranjit Chaliha, VU2RCH, is a
dedicated ham radio operator from the North Eastern part of India (Assam). He is one of
the few fortunate persons to get a ham radio licence (including me!) from
a North Eastern state. Examples of many ardent radio experimenters can be
cited whom the concerned authority has been denying ham radio licences simply because
they belong to India's North Eastern States. |
In respect of the non-issuing of ham radio licences to the
people, President of the Amateur Radio Society of India,
Mr. Sahruddin, VU2SDN, says-" Governments in India
and elsewhere do not seem to realize that no anti social element ever approaches them for
a licence. Most of the delay in issue of licences is caused by the security vetting
procedures, which can be dispensed with or modified taking into account the fact that only
law abiding citizens approach the government for a licence. An easy way
out would be to grant a provisional licence, subject to cancellation if an adverse report
is received from those agencies.There is another factor which inhibits the growth
of amateur radio. Commercial licencees are allowed to operate mobile stations, without
individual security clearances, and without any restriction in operational areas. Radio
amateurs, who have to qualify in an examination and who cleared individually by security
agencies, are denied permission to use their hand-held equipment outside the licensed
addresses. This is an anomaly which needs to be rectified by the government. "
(Source: "SPECTRUM NEEDS FOR THE AMATEUR SERVICE AND CB RADIO by Sahruddin,
Ham Radio News, April/June 1998). " The licence issuing authority has been conducting Amateur Station Operators Certificate (ASOC) exams regularly, but candidates have been left high and dry for a long time after that. It has been observed that the delay is taking place everywhere without any valid reason. Ham radio is a hobby, it is very useful during emergency and disasters. Bans on its propagation contradicts our Governments decision of popularising it. The same Govt. has included ham radio clubs in the list of possible activities to be promoted and funded under MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS). If terrorists and anti-social elements want to aquire sophisticated means of communication; they can and have been doing it. Why victimise only this great hobby ?
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