Radio Amateurs In India
Amateur radio is a group of people who use specified radio frequencies to communicate amongst themselves using radio transceivers. Users are commonly referred to as ham radio operators (origin unknown) but legally as Radio Amateurs. Most pursued as a hobby and a source of self-learning, communication and entertainment it has played a life-saving role in emergencies and disasters allowing unhindered communication. Different frequencies allow Hams to attain different levels of communication. Using High Frequency radios Hams can communicate across the globe easily.
For a smaller network, within a college for instance, a Very High Frequency radio might suffice. If lucky one might get in touch with an astronaut as well because space stations have their own licensed ham kits and there are ham satellites that enable worldwide communication even through Walkie-Talkies. Other bonuses include the ability to send pictures through Slow Scan TV for a trifling cost not to mention 'contesting' which is very exciting. Though this sounds like fun, there is a serious streak to Amateur Radio or Ham Radio Services.
In India one above 12 years of age can become a Radio Amateur by clearing an examination organized by the Ministry of Communications and obtaining a license. Called the Amateur Station Operator License Examination, it demands no pre-requisite qualifications and needs only two hours a day preparation for no more than two months. The subjects involved are Morse code, Communications and Electronics and your score determines the grade of your license to use different radio frequencies. To enrol for the test one had to contact the nearest Monitoring Station. Since you seek to become a part of the ham club, existing ham users conduct free classes to coach aspirants over their ham radios and can assist you in every regard.
A licence comes with a unique call sign to identify oneself as a registered ham operator. But this does not empower a ham to broadcast freely. Ham radios are for non-pecuniary purposes only and the waves must be transmitter through and received by ham radios only. Apart from this rule, every Radio Amateur receives the freedom that every radio station is entitled to. Depending on the grade of the license one has to buy or build a suitable ham. Most of the amateurs seek to transmit using the minimum amount of power or QRP transmission, which is a field of great interest and contesting amongst hams. Networking can save you money as most hams have come up with their own designs and models that can be prepared by the novice ham.
A simple VHF/ UHF hand held radio is ideal that can be connected to a home antenna to attain HF transmission. Many companies sell such radios at affordable prices. The innovative ones can also modify existing designs to their heart's content and make a perfect radio as per their needs. Once inducted hams are exposed to scientific activity and realise the importance of radios in communication. Operators come from all walks of life promoting good exposure. Experience leads to ideas that can help improve radios which are best exhibited during ham competitions.