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.

Monday, January 9, 2012

HAM radio operators to ensure safety of pilgrims

Over a decade ago, HAM radio operators set up base in Sabarimala to help prevent disasters like the one at Pullumedu that claimed the lives of over a 100 devotees on makaravilakku day, last year.

Now the HAM Emergency Communication and Disaster Management Society (HECDMS) has set up control rooms at Sannidhanam, Pampa and the Idukki collectorate to ensure effective and speedy communication on Makaravilakku Day this year, which happens to fall on January 15.

HAM radio operators will provide round the clock service in remote areas like Parunthupara, Uppupara, Panjalimedu, Sathram and Pullumedu where devotees arrive in huge number to witness the Makaravilakku.

“Fifteen HAM radio operators will arrive here on January 14, a day before makaravilakku, and camp in different places around Sabarimala.

There will be control units at Sannidhanam, Pampa and Idukki. Our members will be on high alert and all important information will be relayed to the police and the control room,” says Manoj Galaxy, coordinator, HECDMS

“The Pullumedi tragedy could have been averted had there been active coordination and communication. This time, with our HAM service, we hope to make sure that there is no repeat of such an incident,” he adds.

HAM radios continue to have an edge even in this era of the Internet and mobile phones as they provide a wireless service that cannot be interrupted or cut off even in a massive disaster like an earthquake, tsunami or flood.

The mobile phone network, on the other hand, can get jammed as the cell phone towers have a limited capacity and are open to disruption.

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Sunday, January 1, 2012

Mock drill to raise awareness on earthquake management

GUWAHATI: People from surrounding areas of Geetanagar High School in the city on Tuesday rushed to watch a post-quake mock drill conducted to create awareness on what should be done during such an emergency.

People were all attention as volunteers in teams demolished an artificially erected building to rescue the survivors. The firefighters also reached the spot immediately. During the demonstration, the search and rescue sponsored by the State Disaster Management Authority ( SDMA), in collaboration with Civil Defense and District Disaster Management Authority, Kamrup (Metro).

The audience was taught how to reach slightly damaged buildings after an earthquake and how to make stretchers using their blankets and help officials of the disaster management authority.

Expressing happiness over the programme, director general of civil defense Rajendra Prasad was hopeful that such programmes will help the citizens understand how to conduct rescue operations with the available resources.

Saying that Amateur Radio sets proved quite useful during earthquake and Tsunami in 2004, Prasad said. He added, "The Amateur or HAM radio was very useful during the devastating earthquake at Bhuj and also in conducting rescue operations in Andaman and Nicobar islands in 2004. This devise can be used when mobile towers and other communication devices gets destroyed."

He said the civil defence will urge the Centre to issue licenses to run Amateur Radio in Assam soon. Though Amateur Radio is the only mode of communication which works during an emergency, the use of Amateur radio in Assam is yet to gain popularity as Wireless Planning and Co-ordination has not issued any license to run Amateur radio in the northeastern states since 1990 due to security reasons.

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