About Amateur Radio
A government official in Kerala makes friends over the radio with a ham in Germany. A teenager based at New Delhi uses her computer to upload a chess move to an orbiting space satellite, where it's retrieved by a fellow chess enthusiast in Japan. An aircraft engineer in Mumbai participating in a "DX contest" swaps call signs with hams in 100 countries during a single weekend. In Andhra Pradesh, volunteers save lives as part of their involvement in an emergency communications net during a natural disaster.
This unique mix of fun, public service and convenience is the distinguishing characteristic of Amateur Radio. Although hams get involved in the hobby for many reasons, they all have in common a basic knowledge of radio technology, regulations and operating principles, demonstrated by passing an examination for a license to operate on radio frequencies known as the "Amateur Bands." These are reserved by the Wireless Planning and Co-ordination Wing (WPC) under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India, for use by hams at intervals from just above the AM broadcast band all the way up into microwave frequencies.
Long before the Internet and smart phones, Amateur Radio operators have been talking, texting and sharing for decades. But unlike those commercial services, Amateur Radio continues to attract people world-wide by providing international communications for free. And because it does not need pre-established supporting infrastructure, these radio-savvy “amateurs” can reach out to friends in every corner of the world, as well as into space.
Amateur Radio operators have been the leaders in developing many of today’s modern electronic and communications marvels. Today, the citizens of Earth think of “wireless” as being the ubiquitous cellular phone. But this technology is only made possible due to the pioneering work in radio technologies first explored by these “amateurs.” Many of our leading electrical engineers draw from their practical experiences as Amateur Radio operators as they continue to develop applications blending computers and radios. Ham radio operators may be “amateur” because they are unpaid volunteers, but their skills and contributions to the world are of the highest order.
Calling, texting or even using old Morse code on the amateur bands can result in chatting with other radio amateurs across town -- or far across the oceans. While hams have repeatedly been in the news for their life-saving communications services in disasters, a large part of their activities is the excitement and joy of contacting distant and remote areas of the world, learning directly about each others’ regions and lives and trying different ways to make radio contacts around the world.
Amateur Radio operators come from all walks of life -- movie stars, missionaries, doctors, students, politicians, government officials and just plain folks. They are all ages, genders, income levels and nationalities. But whether they prefer Morse code on an old brass telegraph key through a low-power transmitter, voice communication on a hand-held radio or messages transmitted through satellites, they all have an interest in what's happening in the world, and they use radio to reach out.
Where Do I Get More Information?
The three best ways to learn about Amateur Radio are to listen to hams on the "Amateur Bands," read about Amateur Radio in the numerous books and magazines devoted to the subject and, best of all, talk to hams face-to-face. Hams take pride in their ability to "Elmer" (teach) newcomers the ropes to get them started in the hobby.
Please click here to read the Wikipedia entry on Amateur Radio in India.
To find out how to get started, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or write to us at:
Dr. E. K. Easwaran,
'Edamana Matom', Opposite Indian Bank,
Near Aruvikkara Jn., Aruvikkara P. O.,
Thiruvananthapuram - 695 564, Kerala, India.