Radio, most think, is dead and gone. But in reality it has only
gotten popular and more active. The Hyderabad Amateur Radio (HAM) recently
organised a two-day Amateur Radio festival — Hamfest India, at the Muffakham
Jah College of Engineering and Technology in the city and more than 1200
participants took part.
Participants came from various parts of the country, Nepal,
Singapore and Sri Lanka. In the fest some of the leading edge radio
technologies were showcased and discussions ranged from making relay signals
more popular to the issue of not allowing amateurs from parts of Northeast to
gain licence. There was talk on small personal satellites, software defined
radios, wireless control of homes, community radio, new architectures and
emergency works.
Convenor for the fest, Ashhar Farhan says, “The response was overwhelming.
While we thought radio was a silent revolution which we are a part of, it
turned out to be not too silent. Amateurs are doing a lot of new and
interesting work and it was nice to see them all in the same platform sharing
and discussing ways to make it useful in times of climate induced emergency.
Hamfest India was hosted by the Muffakham Jah College of
Engineering and Technology and the college believes that this event will
further its commitment to encouraging students to develop skills in innovation,
entrepreneurship and personal science.”
The college hopes that students from the city and outside to use
this opportunity to learn and explore the exciting field of wireless. It was
very nice and encouraging to see girls taking active part in the event. Besides
the talks and discussions an exhibition of latest as well as vintage radio
equipments followed by demonstrations kept visitors busy. For others there was
a flea-market of electronic components. Ashhar assures that amateur radio
provides an alternative way to learn electronics, communications, wireless at
very low cost through local radio clubs, contesting, mentoring and informal
exchanges over the Internet. “It is a hobby in an innovative field.”
(An excerpt from "The Hindu" Paper published on 11th November, 2014)
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