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Amateur radio in India

Posted in August 29th, 2008 By

India

Amateur radio operators at a foxhunt in Mumbai

Licensed holders
16,000

Call sign blocks
VUA to VWZ
ATA to AWZ
8TA to 8YZ

Zones

ITU Region
Region 3

ITU Zone
41
49

CQ Zone
22
26

Representation

ITU
WPC

IARU
ARSI

Amateur radio or ham radio is practised by more than 16,000 licensed users in India. The first amateur radio operator was licensed in 1921, and by the mid-1930s, there were around 20 amateur radio operators in India. Amateur radio operators have played an important part in the Indian independence movement with the establishment of pro-independence radio stations in the 1940s, which were illegal. The three decades after India’s independence saw only slow growth in the numbers of operators until the then Prime Minister of India, and ham operator Rajiv Gandhi (VU2RG), waived the import duty on wireless equipment in 1984. Since then, numbers have picked up, and as of 2007, there were more than 16,000 operators in the country. Amateur radio operators have played a vital role during disasters and national emergencies such as earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones, floods, and bomb blasts, by providing voluntary emergency communications in the affected areas.

The Wireless and Planning and Coordination Wing (WPC)—a division of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology—regulates amateur radio in India. The WPC assigns call signs, issues amateur radio licences, conducts exams, allots frequency spectrum, and monitors the radio waves. In India, the Amateur Radio Society of India (ARSI) represents amateur radio interests at various forums, and represents India at the International Amateur Radio Union. Popular amateur radio events include daily ham nets, the annual Hamfest India, and regular DX contests.

Public figures in India who are licensed ham operators include the Indian National Congress president Sonia Gandhi (VU2SON), Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan (VU2AMY), and a former Minister for Information Technology, Dayanidhi Maran (VU2DMK).

Contents

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History

The first amateur radio operator in India was Amarendra Chandra Gooptu (callsign 2JK), licensed in 1921.


Sonia Gandhi (VU2SON) intervention in allowing an DX-pedition in the Andamans in December proved crucial in establishing amateur radio communication after the devastating tsunami in 2004.

With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, the British cancelled the issue of new licences.

Temporary amateur radio licences were issued from 1946, after the end of World War II. By 1948, there were 50 amateur radio operators in India, although only a dozen were active.

Partly due to low awareness among the general population and prohibitive equipment costs, the number of licensed amateur radio operators did not increase significantly over the next two decades, numbering fewer than a thousand by 1970.

Amateur radio operators have played a significant part in disaster management and emergencies. In 1991, during the Gulf War, a lone Indian ham operator in Kuwait, provided the only means of communication between stranded Indian nationals in that country and their relatives in India.

In 2005, India became one of few countries to launch an amateur radio satellite, the HAMSAT. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the microsatellite as an auxiliary payload on the PSLV-6.

Licence categories

Main article: Amateur radio licence categories in India


An operator monitoring the air

The Indian Wireless Telegraph (Amateur Service) Rules, 1978 lists five licence categories:

  1. Advanced Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence
  2. Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence, Grade–I
  3. Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence, Grade–II
  4. Restricted Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence
  5. Short Wave Listener’s Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence

To obtain a licence in the first four categories, candidates must pass the Amateur Station Operator’s Certificate examination.

Licence category
Age
Power
Examination
Privileges

Short Wave Listener’s Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence
12
—
Obtained without appearing for the examination.
A user can monitor the airwaves on short wave frequencies.

Restricted Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence
12
10 W
Minimum score of 40% in each section of the written examination, and 50% overall.
Terrestrial radiotelephony transmission in two VHF frequency bands.

Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence, Grade–II
12
50 W
Minimum score of 40% in each section of the written examination, and 50% overall. In addition, a demonstration of proficiency in sending and receiving Morse code at five words a minute.
Radiotelegraphy and radiotelephony transmission in 11 frequency bands.

Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence, Grade–I
14
150 W
A minimum of 50% in each section of the written examination, and 55% overall, and a demonstration of proficiency in sending and receiving Morse code at 12 words a minute.
Radiotelegraphy and radiotelephony transmission in 14 frequency bands. In addition, satellite communication, facsimile, and television modes are permitted.

Advanced Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence
18
400 W
An must pass an advanced electronics examination, in addition to the passing the Rules and Regulations section, and a Morse code proficiency at 12 words per minute.
The maximum power permitted is 400 W in selected sub-bands.

In a 2005 notification, the WPC proposed an amendment to the 1978 Amateur Service Rules in the rationalization of the licence categories to only two: the Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence (General) and the Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence (Restricted). As of August 2008, amendment has yet to be passed by the Parliament of India.

Call-signs

Main article: Amateur radio call-signs of India


QSL card of a fictitious^*  amateur radio operator. VU2 is the call-sign of India.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has divided all countries into three regions; India is located in ITU Region 3. These regions are further divided into two competing zones, the ITU and the CQ. Mainland India and the Lakshadweep Islands come under ITU Zone 41 and CQ Zone 22, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands under ITU Zone 49 and CQ Zone 26. The ITU has assigned to India call-sign blocks 8TA to 8YZ, VUA to VWZ, and ATA to AWZ.

The WPC allots individual call-signs. Indian amateur radio operators are allotted only the VU call-sign prefix. The V or Viceroy, series prefix was allotted to British colonies.

VU call-signs are listed according to licence grade: for Advanced Grade and Grade–I licence holders, the call-sign prefix is VU2; for Grade–II and Grade–II Restricted licence holders, the prefix is VU3. As of 2008, call-signs consist of only letters, not numerals, and can be either two or three characters long. Examples of Indian amateur radio call-signs are “VU2XY” and “VU2XYZ”.

In addition to individual and club call-signs, the WPC allots temporary call-signs for contests and special events. For example, in November 2007, the WPC temporarily allotted the prefixes AT and AU to selected ham operators to mark the anniversary of the birth of radio scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose. The WPC had temporarily allotted these call-signs to hamfests and DX-peditions held at those locations.

Defunct call-signs include CR8 (for Portuguese India), FN8 (for French India), and AC3 (for the former kingdom of Sikkim, which merged with India in 1975).

Organizations


Mumbai


Chennai


Delhi


Kolkata


Bangalore


Hyderabad


Ahmedabad


Nagpur


Ajmer


Darjeeling


Gorakhpur


Jalandhar


Goa


Shillong


Mangalore


Ranchi


Srinagar


Dibrugarh


Thiruvananthapuram


Vishakapatnam

WPC monitoring stations

The WPC is responsible for regulating amateur radio in India. The WPC has its headquarters in New Delhi with divisional offices in Mumbai (Bombay), Kolkata (Calcutta), and Chennai (Madras). It also has monitoring stations in Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Ajmer, Bangalore, Darjeeling, Gorakhpur, Jalandhar, Goa (Betim), Mangalore, Shillong, Ranchi, Srinagar, Dibrugarh, Vishakapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram.

The Amateur Radio Society of India (ARSI), based in Chennai, is a non-profit organization founded in 1954 that represents the interests of amateur radio operators before the India government, provides technical advice and assistance to amateur radio enthusiasts, and supports a number of educational programs throughout the country. ARSI is India’s representative at the International Amateur Radio Union.

Another notable organization is the non-governmental National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR), based in Hyderabad. NIAR was established by the Ministry of Communications in 1983 to promote amateur radio in India. NIAR is also involved in amateur radio educational programs in the country and sponsors several DX-peditions.

Allotted spectrum

Main article: Amateur radio frequency bands in India


Antennas at the location of ham operator VU2GMN in Chennai.

The following 14 frequency bands are permitted by the WPC for use by amateur radio operators in India.

Band
Frequency in MHz
Wavelength

6
1.820–1.860
160 m

7
3.500–3.700
80 m

7
3.890–3.900
80 m

7
7.000–7.100
40 m

7
14.000–14.350
20 m

7
18.068–18.168
17 m

7
21.000–21.450
15 m

7
24.890–24.990
12 m

7
28.000–29.700
10 m

8
144–146
2 m

9
434–438
70 cm

9
1260–1300
23 cm

10
3300–3400
9 cm

10
5725–5840
5 cm

Awareness drives


Indian amateur radio operator, Bharathi VU2RBI, demonstrates Amateur Radio to local students in Port Blair, Andaman Islands, a few days before the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.

Indian amateur radio operators number just 16,000 for a population of 1.2 billion, or less than 0.002 percent of the population. Factors for the low numbers include low awareness, high equipment cost, and bureaucratic procedures in obtaining a licence where obtaining a licence can take over a year.

Amateur radio clubs across the country many join the hobby by organizing courses in preparation for the Amateur Station Operator’s Certificate. The government-funded NIAR is one such organization that actively promotes the hobby by holding regular classes. The Vigyan Parishad, an apex body for science popularization under the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India coordinates simulated disaster communication exercises and also organizes trainings to help people getting ham radio licenses in areas vulnerable to natural calamities.

Activities and events

Popular events and activities include Amateur Radio Direction Finding, DX-peditions, hamfests, JOTA, QRP operations, Contesting, DX communications, and Islands on Air. One of the most popular activities is Amateur Radio Direction Finding commonly known as a “foxhunt”.


Live satellite images such as this are decoded by amateur radio operators to provide accurate weather reports during heavy rains in cities prone to flooding such as Mumbai.

Hamfest India is an annual event that serves for social gathering and comparison and sales of radio equipment. Most hamfests feature a flea market, where the attendees buy and sell equipment, generally from and for their personal stations. The event also seeks to raise amateur radio awareness in the host city. Gandhinagar is scheduled to host the next hamfest in October 2008. Two special international hamfests were organized in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (VU4) in 2006, and Lakshadweep (VU7) in January 2007. The two events received widespread international participation through contests, DXing, and DX-peditions.

Ham nets, where amateur radio operators “check into” are regularly conducted across India. Airnet India, Charminar Net, Belgaum Net, and Nite Owl’s Net are some of the well-known ham nets in India. Some amateur radio operators have also provided a service of downloading and decoding satellite signals of the weather over India and publishing them on the internet as a public service.

See also

  • Amateur Station Operator’s Certificate
  • Citizens Band radio in India
  • Amateur radio frequency bands in India

References

  • Note:* Indian call signs do not use numbers as an identifier. This picture is for demonstration purposes only.
  1. ^ a b Ramchandran, Ramesh (2005-03-03). “Government to promote amateur radio”, The Tribune. Retrieved on 2008-07-27. 
  2. ^ “Bachchan, Gandhi style!”, Indian Express, Express Group (2005-10-15). Retrieved on 2008-07-23. 
  3. ^ a b Susarla, Ramesh (2007-12-15). “Licence to yak”, The Hindu, N. Ram. Retrieved on 2008-07-23. 
  4. ^ a b Ramchandran, Ramesh (2005-01-04). “Sonia helps bridge communication gap”. The Tribune. The Tribune Trust. Retrieved on 2008-07-25.
  5. ^ a b c d Missra, Avinash (1996). Brief History of Amateur Radio in Calcutta, Hamfest India ‘96 Souvenir. 
  6. ^ a b Regal, Brian (2005-09-30). Radio: The Life Story of a Technology. Greenwood Press, 77/152. ISBN 0313331677. Retrieved on 2008-06-30. 
  7. ^ Gellis, Vm J (2007). “Historical Notes on Amateur Radio Development with Official License Records for Maritime Provinces 1911 – 1927″ 13. Retrieved on 2008-07-28.
  8. ^ “About us”. Amateur Radio Society of India. Retrieved on 2008-07-23.
  9. ^ a b Williamson, Owen (Williamson). “The Mahatma’s Hams”. WorldRadio. Retrieved on 2008-07-23.
  10. ^ Chandra Kumar, C Sujit (2008-06-08). “Once a ham always a ham”, Hindustan Times, HT Media Ltd. Retrieved on 2008-07-23. 
  11. ^ a b c Missra, Avinash (1996). Brief History of Amateur Radio in Calcutta, Hamfest India ‘96 Souvenir. 
  12. ^ Verma, Rajesh (1999). “1″, ABC of Amateur Radio and Citizen Band, 2, New Delhi: EFY Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., 11. 
  13. ^ “Indian Hams Put Technology to the Task”, American Radio Relay League (ARRL) (2001-02-08). Retrieved on 2008-07-23. 
  14. ^ “AMSAT – VO52 (HAMSAT) Information”. AMSAT (2005-05-12). Retrieved on 2008-07-23.
  15. ^ Section 5 “The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978″. Ministry of Communications, Government of India 34. Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi (1979). Retrieved on 2008-08-03.
  16. ^ Section 7 “The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978″. Ministry of Communications, Government of India 34. Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi (1979). Retrieved on 2008-08-03.
  17. ^ a b Appendix II “The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978″. Ministry of Communications, Government of India 34. Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi (1979). Retrieved on 2008-08-03.
  18. ^ Annexure III, Appendix I, Section 2.3 “The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978″. Ministry of Communications, Government of India 34. Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi (1979). Retrieved on 2008-08-03.
  19. ^ a b c d “Ham operators are a cut above the rest”, Times of India, Times Group (2007-05-21). Retrieved on 2008-07-25. 
  20. ^ Section 5 “The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978″. Ministry of Communications, Government of India 34. Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi (1979). Retrieved on 2008-08-03.
  21. ^ a b Annexure V “The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978″. Ministry of Communications, Government of India 34. Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi (1979). Retrieved on 2008-08-03.
  22. ^ Annexure III, Appendix I “The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978″. Ministry of Communications, Government of India 34. Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi (1979). Retrieved on 2008-08-03.
  23. ^ “Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Service) Amendment Rules, 2005″ (doc). Wireless and Planning and Coordination Wing, Government of India (2005-06-09). Retrieved on 2008-07-23.
  24. ^ International Telecommunication Union. ITU Zone 41 Map . Retrieved on 2008-07-23.
  25. ^ International Telecommunication Union. CQ Zone 22 Map . Retrieved on 2008-07-23.
  26. ^ “Govt yet to free Indian aircraft from colonial past”, Indian Express, Express Group (2003-08-04). Retrieved on 2008-07-25. 
  27. ^ “Radio Call Letters: May 9, 1913″. Bureau of Navigation, Department of Commerce, United States (1913-05-09). Retrieved on 2008-07-23.
  28. ^ “Mahamastabhisheka to be covered live on HAM radio”, The Hindu, N. Ram (2006-01-14). Retrieved on 2008-07-23. 
  29. ^ “Special callsigns for Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose anniversary”. Government of India letter “L-14011/640/ 2007-AMT” dated 2007-09-19″. Southmate Amateur Radio Club. Retrieved on 2008-07-23.
  30. ^ “Hamfest (VU4) India 2006″. National Institute of Amateur Radio. Retrieved on 2008-08-04.
  31. ^ “VU2ANI/VU5 1960 Port Blair, Andaman Islands”. Amateur Radio Society of India (1960). Retrieved on 2008-08-04.
  32. ^ “Sponsorship”. Amateur Radio Society of India. Retrieved on 2008-08-04.
  33. ^ “Amateur Radio Old Prefixes & Deleted Entities”. ARRL (2004-01-07). Retrieved on 2008-07-23.
  34. ^ “WPC Home”. Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing. Retrieved on 2008-07-23.
  35. ^ a b “Member Societies”. International Amateur Radio Union. Retrieved on 2008-07-23.
  36. ^ a b Rasquinha, Gavin Reagan (2007-07-03). “Hum hai na, say Hams!”, Times of India, Times Group. Retrieved on 2008-07-25. 
  37. ^ “Together Towards a Safer India Part-III” 69. Central Board of Secondary Education (2006). Retrieved on 2008-07-25.
  38. ^ “Rapports des Assemblées Générales de l’URSI” (2005-10-2005). URSI XXVII. Retrieved on 2008-07-29. 
  39. ^ “DST Scientific Institutions & Professional Academies”. Department of Science and Technology (2006-2007). Retrieved on 2008-07-25.
  40. ^ “HAM club organising ‘Fox Hunt’”, The Hindu, N. Ram (2007-10-06). Retrieved on 2008-07-23. 
  41. ^ Limca Book of Records 2006. Limca Books. ISBN 8190283731. Retrieved on 2008-04-05. 
  42. ^ “ARI DX Bulletin” (in IT). ARI – Associazione Radioamatori Italiani. Retrieved on 2008-07-23.
  43. ^ “Lifeline Systems in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (India) after the December 2004 Great Sumatra Earthquake and Indian Ocean Tsunami” . Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. Retrieved on 2008-07-25. 
  44. ^ “Malabar Hill gets HAM station to combat rains”, Times of India, Times Group (2008-06-03), pp. 4. Retrieved on 2008-07-25. 
  45. ^ Express News Service (2007-09-26). “Lakhs throng beaches on immersion day”. ExpressIndia.com. Indian Express. Retrieved on 2008-07-25.

Further reading

Find more about Amateur radio in India on Wikipedia’s sister projects:


Dictionary definitions


Textbooks


Quotations


Source texts


Images and media


News stories


Learning resources

  • Verma, Rajesh (1988), ABC of Amateur Radio and Citizen Band, EFY Publications
  • Ali, Saad (1985), Guide To Amateur Radio In India, E.M.J. Monteiro

External links

  • Vigyan Prasar – HAM radio
  • Ham Radio India
  • VU2.IN – For Amateur Radio Operators

Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio_in_India”
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