VU3NYD: June 2013

PROUD TO BE A HAM

Article:

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.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

HAM radio Introducing lesion in class 9th

The State Council of Educational Research and Training has developed the State Curriculum Framework – 2011 and Position Papers in tune with the National Curriculum Framework -2005 and the Right to Education Act – 2009. Accordingly a new set of Text books have been designed to be introduced phased manner. In the class 9th this year added a lesion a new curriculum.

The HAM Radio

The world is not a very safe place to live in these days as disaster and terrorism can strike at any moment. Communication is the only relief in times of disaster and hence the need for an efficient disaster management system becomes imperative in public places and even in business establishments and important commercial joints where people move around in large numbers. Disaster might strike in the form of natural calamities, terrorist attacks and accidents. Thus an efficient disaster management system which will work in adverse conditions is needed.

Disaster management crew must be well trained and equipped with the best appliances which might help them to communicate the condition they are in and the status of the calamity in the region they work for. In times of natural calamity like floods, storms or fire the usual mode of communication like phone, mobile ect might not work or might become inoperative in the calamity. Underground communication lines get disabled due to flooding, cell towers are blown over or simply choke due to high utilization, backup generators run out of fuel, or are filled up with water. This is where HAM Radio (Amateur Radio) comes into picture. Using HF (High Frequency) radio sets, messages can be conveyed or relayed to long distance. Accurate picture of situation on the ground, requirements and key information could be sent to disaster response team.

With Amateur Radio Operators, you have a ready workforce that is efficient with regards to communicating with each other ‘efficiently’ and effectively’. They are known for innovation and are adept at adapting to situations. Unlike commercial systems, Amateur radio is not dependent on terrestrial facilities that can fail. It is dispersed throughout a community without “choke points” such as cellular telephone sites that can be overloaded.

Amateur radio operators are experienced in improvising antennas and power sorces and most equipment available today can be powered by an automobile battery. Annual “Field Days” are held in many contries to practise these emergency improvisational skills. Amateur Radio Operators volunteer to help, as and when needed; however there is no national database on active operators who can be called upon during any disaster, and also if they have right setup (which means – ready to go on air gear)at short notice. Amateur Radio Operators can use hundreds of frequencies and can quickly establish networks tying disparate agencies together to enhaned interoperability.

In the Gujarat (India) earthquake on the 26^th january 2001, Amateur Radio Operators of Gujarat commenced disaster relief communications within hours of the tragedy. With the help of Hams from various parts of the country, an emergency traffic nerwork was esranlished to exchange information to various parts of the country.

Recent examples include the September 11 attacks in the World Trade Centre in Manhattan in 2001, the 2003 North America blackout and Hurricane Katrina in September 2005, where Amateur radio was used to coordinate disaster relief activities when other systems failed.

On September 2, 2004, Ham Radio was used to inform weather forecasters with infirmation on Hurricane Frances live from the Bahamas. On December 26, 2004, an earthquake and resulting Tsunami across the Indian Ocean wiped out all communications with the Andaman Islands, except for an expedition that provided a means to coordinate relief efforts. Recently, Amateru Radio Operators in the People’s Republic of China provided emergency communications after the 2008 Sichuan eatrhquake and U.S. Jams did similar work following Hurricane Lke.

But cyclones, earthquakes or floods are not everyday events. What we see every day is that someone in the remote place is struggling for life, awaiting the arrival of an essential drug from another town or someone has lost a dear one because medical attention could not reach him on time. All thes happens because most often communication is slow of impossible. Hams have special section to handle medical and other emergency traffic on their dail nets.

How to Become a Radio Amateur?

Amateur Radio Operators have to qualify in an examination conducted by Ministry of Communications, Government of India and obtain license for operating / possessing a Operator License Examination and No Educational qualification is prescribed. It takes just two months (say two hours a day training) to become eligible for the examination. One should qualify a simple test conducted in three subjects namely:

I. Morse Code (Transmission & Reception)

II. Communication Procedure

III. Basic Electronics.

The Officer – In – Charge, Wireless Momitoring Station, Dept. of Telecommunication under Ministry of Communiation, Govt. of India is the authority for conducting these test 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.

You can know more details from the website: www.hamradio.in/amateur_radio/