HAM radio operators on standby : Cyclone Hudhud

HYDERABAD: Predicting a complete breakdown in communication networks, the National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR), Hyderabad, has stationed a few of its operators in Andhra Pradesh for transmission of information to government departments and civilians. 

While the Odisha government has already pressed HAM radio operators into action, AP has kept them on standby for now and is expected to use them in case of an emergency. "As a precautionary measure, we have sent our operators to the districts of AP that have been affected by the cyclone. We also sent four operators from West Bengal to Bhubaneshwar on Saturday itself as the government sought our assistance," said S Ram Mohan, vice-chairman and managing director, NIAR. 

He said in most areas, power lines, cell phone towers and land line cables have collapsed, leaving only HAM radios as an alternative means of communication. "These radios can be used to relay information between government departments and also between the government and the public. And even if the radio collapses, the operators are adept in assembling it to have it running within no time," he added.

Published in "The Times of India Hyderabad" edition on 13-10-2014

Cyclone Hudhud: Amateur radio to provide vital info

The Odisha government has roped in amateur radio operators in a desperate bid to set up communication bases along the Odisha-Andhra coastline where cyclone Hudhud is expected to hit on Sunday.

The cyclone with wind speeds is expected to snap all terrestrial communication systems.

 In such a scenario, amateur radio, also called ham radio, will become the only medium for the government to coordinate relief operations and exchange critical messages between government bodies, the two states and also with New Delhi.

Eight people will go to Odisha and four to Andhra Pradesh. The control rooms will be set up in Sodepur (Bengal), Vizag and Bhubaneswar. A three-member team from the National Institute of Amateur Radio will be posted in Visakhapatnam.

Amateur radio participants use radio communication equipment to communicate with other radio amateurs through airwaves for public services, recreation and self-training. Ham operators have worked in disasters like cyclone Aila and the Bhuj earthquake. Emails can also be sent through in areas with no other active communication systems.

In a letter to West Bengal Radio Club and director of the National Institute of Amateur Radio, the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority acknowledged that the ham systems were successfully used during cyclone Phailin by erecting “failproof” communication systems.

“We’ve put together an eight-member team from Bengal to handle the assignment. We will set up mobile bases at key areas,” said Amabarish Nag Biswas, a licenced amateur radio operator.

News published in Hindustan times on   Sat, 11 Oct 2014 

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Hamfest India 2014

The countdown has started for Hamfest India 2014 which is slated to be conducted on 9^th & 10^th of November. After a long gape of 14 years again this event is going to be conducted in Hyderabad. Last time in the year 2000, Hyderabad has become host city for the “Ham fest” and it was well organized by OM Chalam, VU2CLM.

Ham fest 2014, is to be conducted in famous “Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology’ one of the finest engineering colleges in the country and the building was originally the summer resort of the “Nizam” of Hyderabad.

So, far more than 530 people have registered themselves as delegates. This time the total delegates likely to touch the "1000 mark" since, still plenty of time is there for the event.  

The following are the  high-lights of the "Ham fest India 2014".            

                           *  1000+ Delegates,

*  More than 20 kit sellers,

*  Fleamarket, New Radio,

  

*  Accessories, Antennas

*  10 sessions – Satellites to CW,

*  Competitions: CW, Quiz, Fox, 

   

*  Hunt, Junkbox wars,

*  Auction of old equipment,

*  Workshop on Satellites, 

*  Arduino, SDRs.

For more information you are welcome to visit http://www2.hamfest.in

                                73’s                  

                     A. Ramesh Babu VU2RDM

OM Prasad VU2ICC and Ramesh VU2RDM along with the “Hamfest India 2014” convener OM Ashhar Farhan VU2ESE (in the middle).