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What is Amateur (HAM) Radio ... Learn Ham Radio
Amateur Radio- The High-Tech 21st Century Hobby
Amateur Radio is a friendly, Scientific, Fun-loving, high-tech hobby that's got something for everyone. Amateur Radio is popularly known as HAM Radio. Any individual above the age of 12 can become an Amateur Radio operator--no matter what age, gender or physical ability.
Ham radio operators use two-way radio stations from their homes to make hundreds of friends in their town, country and around the world. They communicate with each other using voice, computers, and Morse code. Hams use satellites, exchange pictures of each other using television, Many use hand-held radios that fit in their pockets. 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. There are even ham-astronauts who take radios with them on space shuttle missions and thrill thousands of hams on earth with a call from space! You never know who you'll run into when communicating with Amateur Radio: Young people, retirees, teachers and students, engineers and scientists, doctors, lawyers, mechanics and technicians, housewives, film stars, prime ministers, kings…
Using even the simplest of radio setups and antennas, amateurs communicate with each other for fun, during emergencies, and even in contests. They handle messages for police and other public service organizations during all kinds of emergencies including: •Cyclones •Earthquakes •Floods •Rail, Road & Air accidents •Fires.
Sounds interesting....
Amateur Radio Communications Can be Fun !!
Making Equipment and Learning about Wave Propagation Amateur radio communications is by nature a scientific hobby. In the past, telecommunication equipment was fabricated by using electronic parts. Hams would often communicate with each other by using radio equipment, experimenting to learn how best to propagate radio waves.
Today there are thousands of hams who are enthusiastic about amateur radio and use various methods to communicate with their counterparts around the world.
Groups, individuals, and schools are all striving to acquire radio technology, as they are eager to improve their skill over a wide spectrum of fields: HF/VHF Communication, amateur satellite communications, TV broadcasting, Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) communications, and so on. With the current boom in computers, digital communications (images, data, etc.) is becoming increasingly popular and to copy with these on-going challenges, attracts numerous eager youths.
Amateur Satellite Communications
To-date, over 40 satellites for amateur radio communications have been launched. Right now, about 20 of these satellites are orbiting the earth. hams constantly communicate with their domestic and overseas counterparts by way of these satellites.
DX Communications with Overseas Stations
DX communications refer to telecommunications between countries and hams thus contribute to the promotion of international goodwill. There are quite a few hams who not only make contact with their counterparts in remote regions, but also compete with each other to communicate with the number of country stations (over 300 exist).
Mobile Operation
Reflecting India's recent boom in motoring, mobile hams are becoming very common. They install wireless equipment in their vehicles to communicate with stationary or mobile radio stations while driving.
Contests
In contests, hams communicate with one another, with as many stations as possible within a given period of time. Contests of varying scopes ---- some domestic, some international ---- are happening somewhere in the world every weekend. A top prize requires not only skillful technique in operating a radio station (including maintenance and repair), but also atmospheric conditions favorable to radio waves (which is really a type of good luck).
Awards
After a ham's communication which must conform to specified requirements and QSL cards have been collected, he/she is eligible to apply for various certificates. These certificates are issued by organisations, clubs, and even certain individuals. Counting international certificates, over 1,000 types are available.
QSL Cards
After two ham stations have established contact, they exchange QSL cards as proof of their communication. Normally, QSL cards are postcard-sized, with columns for essential entries on one side, and a picture card, cartoon, photograph, woodblock print, etc, on the other side. Because each QSL card incorporates a unique idea, design, etc., it becomes a pleasure to collect them. Exchanging cards internationally is both interesting and fun.
Repeater Communications
By means of these repeaters installed, on hilltops and high buildings, it is possible for hams to communicate with counterparts many kilometers away, done simply by using a portable transceiver.
Amateur Radio Direction Finding
ARDF (Amateur Radio Direction Finding) where hams carry portable receivers and search for hidden transmitters, is the popular sport of amateur radio. Every year, such competitions are held throughout the world.
We know you'll enjoy this fascinating world of Amateur Radio, and we hope to have the chance of meeting you on the air--when you become an Amateur Radio operator!
How Do I Get Started?
If you are above 12 years of age with keen interest in communications or electronics you can find this hobby as a hotline to the outside world. People from all walks of life pass their Amateur Station Operator License exams and earn their Amateur (ham) Radio licenses.
It is recommended to take up the activity at an early possible age and pursue consistently irrespective of what he or she becomes in the future. Those aspiring to become Hams may apply for a membership and undergo the training program.
The Officer-In-Charge, Wireless Monitoring Station, Dept. of Telecommunication under Ministry of Communication, Govt. of India is the authority for conducting these tests in their own town provided there are sufficient number of applicants. The licenses are issued by Wireless Planning & Co-ordination Wing of DOT, Govt. of India after passing the test in any of the following grades:
Restricted Grade II -Permitting use of VHF/UHF only (i.e Walkie-Talkies).
Grade II - Permitting HF/VHF/UHF frequencies but with limited transmitting power.
Grade I- Permitting all amateur frequencies with higher power including latest techniques.
Advance Grade- Permitting higher power and advanced techniques including Satellite Communication.
The examination is conducted in the topics mention below:
Elementary knowledge of Electronics
Communication Procedure
Morse Code
The Morse Code of 5 words per minutes sending-receiving will make eligible to get grade-II and 12 words per minutes sending-receiving will get grade-I. For advanced grade higher level of technical knowledge in electronics is essentially required.