PROUD TO BE A HAM

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PROUD TO BE A HAM

HAM Radio means Hertz, Armstrong and Marconi. The first letters of these three scientists combined to form HAM. Most of the common people do not know what a HAM radio is? In India the awareness is very limited when to the developed countries. Become a HAM is very simple, for this one has to undergo simple training and getting license from the Govt. of India by writing simple exam. A HAM can be able to develop a own radio station and he should work within the rules and regulation of international telecommunication union. It’s just like a licensed hobby. But it can also be used for disaster management. Its hobby filled with responsibility. Unless it’s a hobby with responsibility, HAM cannot be an alternative national resource. In India the services rendered by HAM were great. It’s a great honor to be a HAM. Every HAM should feel the honor and should work accordingly.

Amateur (HAM) Radio is truly a hobby but often one that makes a difference especially in emergency or disaster situations. It is an activity of Self Learning, Inter-Communication & Technical Investigation carried on between Amateur Radio Operators. Amateurs talk to local friends over the radio waves using a hand-held transceiver, communicating digitally with packet radio to exchange personal messages or vital information in an emergency, talking to other hams anywhere in the world, or engaging in contests with other Radio Amateurs over the airwaves there is something for everyone.

A HAM is not an ordinary person having the instinct to serve the humanity. He is technically skilled and thrust for knowledge and service. A HAM has global awareness and have the knowledge regarding weather conditions and early warnings and predictions of natural calamities.

Even though the present day technology has improved, we cannot deny HAM. When compared to the advanced technology HAM radio is a simple basic tool. But we cannot deny the services rendered for the past many years.

India has got the second place in population. But it has got last place in having HAM population. But it has less awareness compared to the other developed countries. It is the need of the hour to get proper awareness regarding the increase of HAM population. How can it be achieved? It is not a great problem. In my opinion it can be achieved through visiting schools and colleges and making the students awareness inculcating the idea of licensed and technically skilled serviceman ship among them.

If it can be achieved, the disaster management will become easy. When disasters occur, we need not to search for HAMs. If it can be achieved the disaster may not be a disaster. We can minimize the loss of lives and property.

Indian Red Cross Society has rendered its services in disaster management. It used and recognized the services of HAM radio. It also created a platform for HAM radio in its disaster services and had given training for the enthusiastic volunteers. Many volunteers are looking forward to get the training. It is a good sign.

I am a HAM, do you too? I am proud to be an Indian and a HAM. HAMs are national resource. Come my friend it is not too late to become a HAM.

Mr.VSSRK Prasad,

HAM Radio Operator and Resource Person,

Life Member of Indian Red Cross Society,

AP State Branch, Hyderbad.

E-mail: vu3nyd@gmail.com,

Mobile : 9866202123

Call Sign : VU3NYD

A HAM IN RED CROSS

Hai! HAM’s

I am V.S.S.RamaKrishna Prasad Call sign VU3NYD want to share my feelings and aspiration to you on this special occasion.

Being a HAM and having voluntary spit I was attracted to participate in several events and disaster relief activities such as Gujarat Earthquake in 2001, many Cyclone relief activities in costal Andhra Pradesh, Government events like National games, Pushkarams, and Sensitizing programmers conducted by Andhra Pradesh Science and Technology. I have gained more experience.

In January 2009 the India Red Cross Society organization started its one year duration Disaster Management Center (DMC) project supported by American Red Cross. In that project I was selected as a HAM Radio Operators because of my experience and voluntary spirit. During my stay in Red Cross I have learned a lot through varies trainings like 1) Mental health and Psychosocial support in emergencies and Psychological first aid.2) Essentials of disaster management and community based first aid. 3) Sphere minimum standards and monitoring & evaluation. 4) WATSAN and Emergency communications. I was given various kinds of training and also, I was gave HAM Radio training to Red Cross staff and volunteers. We purchased and installed HAM Radio equipment for two stations, one is at Hyderabad and another one is at Vijayawada. I collected the data of active HAM’s across Andhra Pradesh and placed it in Red Cross data base. Some of the members from the above were enrolled as Red Cross members by me. For this I got merit certificate from Andhra Pradesh Governor.

There was a big flood occurred in Krishna River in the month of October 2009. Then immediately rushed to Vijayawada and started relief services involving all voluntary HAM’s along with Red Cross HAM’s under my leadership almost all HAM’s rendered their whole hearted services forgoing their personnel comforts also. The HAM’s job was commendable for that we received appreciation letters from State Secrecatary A.P. Red Cross and appreciation from National Red Cross teams also.

The one year project ended in December 2009. I have received Certificate of Appreciation from American Red Cross Indian delegation, Head of India office New Delhi. Even though the project ended I wish to work as a Red Cross volunteer. Because I was influenced and inspired by the seven fundamental principles of the Red Cross, they are Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary service, Unity and Universality.

This is my sincere appeal to all HAM’s to draw inspiration from me and enroll yourselves in Red Cross and render your voluntary support.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

BMC’s HAM radio, but no operators

The disaster management cell would not be able to save Mumbai if the mobile networks get jammed in the city.

To strengthen their communication system in case of emergencies, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had established HAM radio stations at their headquarters and the administrative ward. But there is no one to operate them.

The BMC had mooted to send 40 disaster control operators for free HAM training, but the six-month course has come to an abrupt end, with lakhs of rupees being wasted.

“The course is very technical. It is part of the radio engineering which takes two years to be taught. The same training is being imparted to us in span of six months. It is impossible for us to grasp it,” said an official from the disaster cell on condition of anonymity.

Top 100 countries by ham radio population.

RankCountryAmateur Radio Licenses
1Japan1296059
2USA679864
3Thailand141241
4RO Korea141000
5Germany79666
6Chinese Taipei68692
7Spain58700
8UK58426
9Canada44024
10Russia38000
11Brazil32053
12Italy30000
13Indonesia27815
14France18500
15Ukraine17265
16Argentina16889
17Poland16000
18Australia15328
19Netherlands14529
20Sweden10817
21India10679
22Venezuela10600
23Denmark10060
24Hungary9000
25Czech Rep.7086
26Mexico7059
27Chile7054
28Slovenia6500
29Colombia6500
30Austria6214
31South Africa6000
32Finland5900
33Switzerland5500
34New Zealand5464
35Norway5302
36Belgium5295
37Paraguay5085
38Bulgaria4950
39Portugal4200
40Philippines4000
41Uruguay3980
42Romania3500
43Peru3080
44Greece2952
45Dominicana2354
46Panama2024
47Ecuador2006
48Cuba1870
49Bosnia1758
50Ireland1658
51Hong Kong1508
52Croatia1410
53Bolivia1385
54Belarus1359
55Israel1225
56Turkey1200
57Estonia1000
58Costa Rica937
59Slovakia930
60Lithuania810
61China800
62El Salvador703
63FYR Macedonia620
64Cyprus578
65Nicaragua564
66Luxembourg525
67Cote d'Ivoire500
68Malta470
69Trinidad445
70Morocco391
71Guatemala386
72Malaysia381
73Yugoslavia354
74Honduras298
75Pakistan214
76Lebanon205
77Sri Lanka200
78Moldova192
79Latvia190
80Tanzania173
81Fr. Polynesia172
82Grenada168
83Nigeria158
84Barbados150
85Iceland140
86Jordan133
87New Caledonia130
88Kuwait126
89Haiti100
90Zimbabwe96
91PNG95
92Singapore95
93Andorra94
94Oman94
95Suriname93
96Montserrat92
97Faroe Is.90
98Bermuda90
99Namibia88
100Jamaica84