Mysore HAM - VU2MUD

I cleared the ASOL exam - 1986

2010-04-15T21:21:00.000+05:30

With this history and the background, I was well on my way to become a HAM operator.

The training classes started and was scheduled for 1 hour from 5.30 PM every week day from Monday to Friday. Regular college classes were scheduled to close at 5.00 PM.

My sked was - Leave Home (about 5 Kms from the College - My home was in Chamarajapuram- Near Law Courts) - cycle the distance and reach the college by 5 PM. Park the cycle adjacent to the Ganesha Temple opposite to the Main Gate. Stand and wait for the HAM team to finish their classes - they usually went past me around 5.10 PM and would come back after aback after about 15 mins with the Power Supply, Morse Key and CPO. This necessiated me to wait atleast 25 mins before the Ham Classes started. The wait usually meant that I STAND leaning on to my bicycle,waiting for the team to arrive.

Also see http://vu2mud.blogspot.com/2007/06/four-year-term-at-sjce.html

Classes were successful - with about 30 students and one outsider - ME - appeared for the ASOL exam in 1986. I successfully cleared the Grade I exam.

Next was the indefinite wait for the "critical" "Decision Letter" to arrive from the WPC - but that is a story by itself - more of it in a different post.

HISTORY OF HAM RADIO ACTIVITY FROM MYSORE:

2008-07-26T23:27:00.002+05:30

After a long hiatus – due to restrictions at the office and due to certain changes in the home front, I had been off blogging. Now that things are stablilising a little bit, continuing the memoirs. Now back to where I had left off.

Along with the new language, I also learned about the history of HAM Radio activity in Mysore.

There was supposedly a bit of HAM radio activity from in and around Mysore with Mr. George – VU2TV (I never got to meet this elderly operator – he had reportedly shifted to the Gulf with family), Mr. Sampath (VU2YZ an entrepreneur with an electronics showroom in Mandya) and his wife Hemalatha (VU2TT – a teacher by profession – who passed on recently). In fact, the credit of putting Mysore on the HAM popularity map is due mainly to Sampath and his wife. He would travel daily to Mysore to conduct the HAM radio training to a group of enthusiasts. Such was the zeal of the youngsters that they used to practice the Morse code in their regular conversations.

The enthusiastic team was not just about students, there was an enthusiastic mother too. This team consisted of Ramanujam, Satish, Sriram, Shiva Kumar, Sukhbir Singh Jolly, Yogeesh, Mrs. Loveleen Kaur Jolly, to name a few (that I remember!). The exams for the first batch were conducted at PES College, Mandya and the candidates traveled for the exam. Last minute preparations and hospitality was organized at the residence of Sampath and Hema. The result of the exam was highly encouraging and the entire team came out with flying colours.

Mrs. Loveleen Kaur Jolly, a mother and a teacher by profession, came out highly successful, in fact even better than her son and secured a higher grade of license than him. In later years the entire family took to the hobby and all the family members including a son-in-law became HAMs.

With encouragement from the management of the SJCE college and with grants from the Mysore University, the Mysore University Amateur Radio Club was set up in 1983-84 with the call sign – VU2YSG – under the Electronics and Communication Department of SJCE. The College also procured a State of the Art – wireless equipment – a Japanese Make – transmitter – cum – receiver (Transceiver). This transceiver was capable of operating on all the allowed modes of transmission (AM – Amplitude Modulation- generally used by radio broadcasters, SSB – Single Side Band – a variation of the AM transmission but using lesser bandwidth, CW – Continuous Wave or Morse Code and FM – Frequency Modulation). In an earlier post, I had mentioned about listening to a few HAMs from SJCE before I got in touch with Mr. Muthanna. It was with this equipment that they were ON THE AIR when I listened to them.
This was the background of the Amateur Radio activity from Mysore when I made my entry into the hobby.

Four Year Term at SJCE

2007-06-25T09:09:00.000+05:30

That meeting with Satish was my first solid step towards becoming a HAM.

I had just the week before been invited to join the Sunny Side Cricket Team – the junior level of the famous The Mysore Gymkhana – where my elder brother was already a well entrenched match winner. (I was a medium pace bowler with quite a bit of pace and swing myself – but that is quite a different story). Also I have a feeling (I have no confirmation on this – sorry if I am wrong) that a new comer in the same period to the team was a person who went on the achieve great laurels – Javagal Srinath.

The training class was scheduled to start at 5.30 PM on all week days. I therefore had to make a choice between two – a “hobby – cum – family tradition” – SPORTS – or a “passion” – HAM Radio. This is again a situation that makes me believe in the “Destined to be a HAM” that I have mentioned about.

I broke “tradition” and gave up sports to take up my “passion”. I joined the HAM training classes. So, on the designated date I cycled to SJCE and there I was standing in front of the Ganesha Temple (not to pray but that was where Satish had asked me to wait) at 4.55 PM (remember the class was scheduled to begin only at 5.30 PM). At 5.15 Satish and others came out of their classes and walked past me – with a “wait, we will come”. Come back, they did after about 10 minutes. Promptly at 5.30 the training did begin and off I was on my way to becoming a HAM radio operator. During this period I met the other operators from Mysore – Yogesh (VU2YSG – not much of contact with him), Anuj (VU2JUN – presently working in Bangalore), Shiv (VU2SSR – went on to become a lecturer at the same college – presently Vice President of EXCEL SOFT), etc.

I was on my way to learn a new language. MORSE CODE.

That also started my four year term at Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering – as an evening “student” – not for their Engineering Course but for their HAM course.

In fact such was my punctuality that certain ex students whom I had met only casually later used to ask if I had finished my Engineering!!!

The Beginning

2007-05-13T17:21:00.000+05:30

That meeting with Muthanna was my first step in the proper direction towards my becoming a HAM. Muthanna gave me a few books and instructions on progressing towards getting my Licence.

His first instruction was for me to learn Morse code. He asked me to build an Oscillator (I later realized he meant a Code Practice Oscillator). In the excitement of having met Muthanna, I mistook it for an Oscilloscope (an electronic measuring devise). I lost heart – how do I get an Oscilloscope costing thousands of rupees? I decided that I would take my time and manage to get that Oscilloscope. How idiotic of me.

I continued listening and my craze for the hobby started spreading among my friends. They started feeding me with information about articles, write ups, announcements etc. I was beginning to collect a fairly good quantity of information about the hobby. I had also noted a few other operators from Mysore – Yogesh (VU2YSG), Shiv (VU2SSR), Sriram (VU2BOY – he “BOY” as his radio nickname), Sat (VU2NTC), etc. I did not know where they operated from.

In 1985, Yuvaraja’s College, where I was finishing my Graduation, started a Science Club. For the inauguration, they had invited a retired engineer from the All India Radio – you should have guessed it – it was Muthanna – my dear “Old” friend. That inaugural address was about the field of radio communication and naturally to my joy mentioned about the amateur radio hobby. After the meeting I went up to Muthanna and he immediately asked about my progress in the hobby. I mentioned that I was not yet able to start learning Morse code. The Science Club, we started wallpaper for science related article. I did my first journalistic piece – if it can be called that. I cut an article on HAM Radio from an old magazine, stuck it to a sheet and submitted it for publication. It was put up. My fascination for the hobby became common knowledge among my college mates and lecturers. This was to play a vital role in my becoming a Ham.

I was still in the search for the easiest way to learn morse code – very important as in those days there was no Restricted Grade (introduced in the last decade where an enthusiast can get his licence by taking only the written test in Operating procedures and basics of electronics). With the Final year exams approaching, I packed up my trustworthy radio (I had promised my mother that I would do so!) and Ham Radio took a back seat for 3 solid months!

Then I got proof that I was “destined” to be a HAM operator.

One of my classmates, KH Manjunath (I have lost contact now – he used to reside in VV Puram) came home with the news that there was a notice put up in Yuvaraja’s College that a training class was being conducted at SJCE as part of the Mysore University Amateur Radio Club for those interested in Amateur Radio. We immediately got onto our bicycles and off we went to SJCE – of course enroute checking out the college notice board for full information. There we tracked down the Electronics Department - which was running the Amateur Radio Club – and asked for Mr. Satish, the Student Co-ordinator. It turned out that he was in the Lab undergoing his practicals and we were to wait for about 30 minutes outside the lab. Information was passed on to him that someone had come to join the training classes.

I was in for another thrill of my life! When, finally, Satish came out of the lab and met us, I introduced myself and he immediately said “Are you THE Madhukar who has been writing letters to other operators?”. I said “Yes”.

He then introduced himself as Sat – VU2NTC – I had met my second ham in person.

"ON THE AIR" - as a Guest

2007-03-10T17:56:00.000+05:30

Sorry for the long gap in between the posts. Year end peak activity at the office. Finally managed some time to put in this post.

Continuing, from where I left off, the night Mr. Muthanna visited me in my absence, I got no sleep. I was then doing my degree in Yuvaraja's College - in the first year. Mr. Muthanna had instructed that I could meet him only after my college hours - ie., after 3 PM. In my excitement of the first "eye-ball" (HAM parlance for a tete-e-tete), I rushed home at 2 PM. Had a quick wash, changed clothes and off on my trusted Raleigh bicycle (the same one that carried me on my "mad" trip looking for rain) to locate Mr. Muthanna's house. I remember reaching his locality by 2.35 PM, 5 mins later I had located his house. Thanks to the odd looking wires and poles on top of his house. I had, of course, expected to see a big rod standing on top of his house - comparing to the rod/pole/pipe? that I had seen in the compound of AIR Mysore. I went round the roads of his area spending time till the designated hour - 3 PM. 2.58 PM and I was at his gate. Promptly at 3.00PM I was ringing his doorbell.

I HAD MET MY FIRST RADIO OPERATOR IN PERSON!!!!!!

AT LAST. What a relief it was. He took me into his shack (Radio Room) behind the main house. It was filled with a rack housing a World War II Receiver - a commercial transmitter (Heathkit) - a antenna change over switch to change from the transmitter to the receiver. There was also a rack full of old magazines. There were also a few other gizmos used for testing and repairing the radio equipment.

After the initial round of introductions and my first "bringing down to earth" advice that HAM radio was not for students (reason it was not a cheap hobby), Mr. Muthanna switched on his radio and tuned around looking for activity. What luck! We heard Chak, Suri and the usual group in conversation. Muthanna joined into the group and informed the group - who already knew I was a regular listener to their conversations - that I was in the shack along with him. I remember Chak (VU2TTC), Suri (VU2NPS) and others addressing me and welcoming me to Ham Radio. Muthanna handed over the mike to me - I panicked. I realised that when it finally came down to talking to some one - some where - where I cannot see them in person - HOW & WHAT DO I TALK? With my experience of listening, I had rehearsed my conversation. But with mike in hand - I was lost for words. Muthanna had to finally put words into my mount. "Good afternoon dear Chak, Suri and others. I am happy to meet all of you. Hope to meet you on the air soon with my own call sign" - I finally managed to say. By the end of it I was sweating all over. With anxiety or with the sense of achievement of having put my voice "ON THE AIR" - I have not been able to decide.

But all in all - I HAD GONE "ON THE AIR". That was what finally mattered.

Muthanna (who became a "silent key" - Ham equivalent to breathing his last- in 1991) will forever be in my memory of being the person who brought me into this hobby that I am so passionate about.

THANKS MUTHANNA - VU2MP

Hunt for the HAM in Mysore

2007-02-09T19:29:00.000+05:30

I had caught the "HAM fever".

This started on my hunt for information to become a operator myself. As I have mentioned earlier, I had heard of a HAM Mr. Muthanna residing right here in Mysore. But how do I meet him? I badly need information and guidance. HOW DO I REACH HIM?

This was when I began to act like an addict looking for his dose - at least that is what I have heard people do.

First I wrote to "Chak" for the address of Muthanna. He was clear in his words that he could not give the information as he was not sure that Muthanna was willing to meet me. First Shot - OFF TARGET.

What do I do now? I had heard that all the licences were issued by the Department of Telecommunications. I decided that all post offices would have a record of the HAM licence holders in Mysore. This was because, in those days (1980's) all radio receiving sets needed a radio licence. The post office was maintaining a list of licences in their area and I was sure they would have a record of Muthanna who also had a transmitting licence - at least that is what I believed. This belief led me to write out a reply post card addressed to "Mr. Muthanna - VU2MP-Mysore". That was all! In it went to the post box. Anticipation. Reply on the third day!!! but not from Muthanna but from the Head Post office with the remark "Insufficient Address". It was like a bucket of ice cold water poured on my head. Madness? - what else?

My desperate hunt went on for a few more weeks. But I could not extract any further details on the whereabouts of my dear "unknown" friend Muthanna. I was beginng to panic again. The despartion was starting to creep in again. Lo! I had a thunder storm of an idea. Why thunderstorm? Read On.

One "fine" afternoon, as I was at my usual listening routine - listening to the regular group of HAMs chatting - I heard Muthanna join in to the group. During the conversation, he mentioned something about the Mysore weather that made me sit up. "It is raining in Mysore" said Muthanna. RAINING? I look out of my window in surprise! It was a FINE afternoon - no sign of any clouds - let alone rains. That gave me the thunderstorm of an idea. I quickly changed clothes - out came my bicycle - onto it I hopped - pedalling away - eyes glued to the road - NO - to the SKY. Why sky? If it was raining near Muthanna's house - all I had to do was locate the area where it was raining and I would have the territory of Muthanna's residence! That was my game plan. The route that I had decided on was Devaparthiva Road (Chamarajapuram) - Ramaswamy Circle - THEN WHERE? Looking at the sky from Ramaswamy Circle - my plans were quickly washed away in the non existant rains. There was no way I could locate the source of the rains that was mentioned by Muthanna. With a realisation that I was indeed MAD I slowly turned back home.

Finally sense prevailed. I decided to try another source to gather the information. I wrote a letter to Mr. Suri VU2NPS (mentioned in the earlier post) with a request to forward my request for contact details and my address to Muthanna. Why did I not think of this earlier - the universal million dollar question?

Within a week of this request, around 5.30 PM - while I was away playing my favourite sport of Cricket, I was later informed by my mother - Muthanna had walked into our home with my address in hand asking to meet me. A retired person had walked nearly 7 KMs to meet a youngster in his early twenties (I was then about 21) who was MAD about HAM Radio. Madness - what else?

He had given his address and appointment for me to meet him at his residence next to the Deaf and Dumb School, New Bamboo Bazaar (Thilak Nagar), Mysore. I had met my mentor - my first personal meeting with a HAM!

Madness - Part 1

2007-01-16T17:22:00.000+05:30

The Virus called "HAM BUG" is very dangerous.

The fever spread very fast. The realisation that I was listening to individuals who could build, own, operate and maintain a radio station was something I had not heard of - or for that fact imagined. I decided then that - as the saying goes - I would give my right hand to become a HAM. That put me in a odd sort of situation as the the future incidents will show. But all that a little later.

Now for some more background. After the realisation that they were down to earth individuals and not some "high flying" - I mean Pilots (Capt. Anup Murthy - no insult meant to you) - people, I got really locked on to the frequency. This was on the shortwave - just around where we had good Hindi film songs coming from Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corp. (Does any one remember listening to this station these days?). So it was easier locating these conversations at the slight touch of the tuning knob - too much movement and I would be listening to something else.

While listening, I started getting details of the hobby in detail. I learnt that the operators were - a businessman from Rajapalayam (Nickname - "handle" in HAM jargon - Suri - VU2NPS), a retired professor of Science from Salem (Vasan - full name Srinivasan - VU2NS), a retired All India Radio Installation Engineer from Mysore (Muthanna - VU2MP - the first HAM I met in person - that is a story in itself), a BLIND electronics serviceman from a small village in Tamil Nadu (Chak - full name Chakravarthy - VU2TTC - more details about him at www.qsl.net/vu2msy/chak.htm), to name a few.

It was Chak, who I take as my first "guru". It was Chak who used to talk about all topics related to the operating procedures, principles and other general details. It was also the person who encouraged listeners to send our "reception reports" to him - he always gave his address at the end of his transmission session for the day. He also gave out tips on how to send out the reception reports. I immediately sent out a post card to him giving him the details of who he was contacting and what was being discussed along with the time of the transmission.

Two days later, as was his usual habit, at 2.30 PM, he started mentioning the names of all the listeners (fondly called SWLs - Short Wave Listeners) who had sent our reception reports. It was then that I got the thrill of my life. "CHAK" CALLED OUT MY NAME!!!!!

It was the first time other than from a regular broadcast station that my name was mentioned by a person in what was a "LIVE" transmission.

The "HAM BUG" had entered my blood. I was bitten for life. This was the beginning of my "Madness".

What it took me to become a HAM operator

2007-01-09T19:48:00.000+05:30

To break the monotony of the theory part of Amateur Radio, I was adviced by my mentors to change course and share my practical experiences on how I got involved in this hobby. Hence this and a few more posts will be different.

1981 our family bought our first radio cassette player - National Panasonic - ADS 543. More for the pleasure of listening to recorded music and to record music - my father having studied Sound Engineering. My inclination was more towards the radio. This was because my elder brother Dinakar was already a well entrenched Broadcast DXer (BC DXer - a term used in radio parlance to indicate a person who keeps his/her hand on the tuning knob of the radio - those days a valve radio - trying to listen to radio signals, identifying them, noting down the programme contents and sending a reception report to the radio station - a fairly long description for a very short term). Out of sibling jealousy/ competetion, I too wanted to get into that line of radio listening. I, of course, silently wanted to get all those knick-knacks that the radio stations sent out as mementos - stickers, pens, pins, flags, cards, etc., and have my own collection. With this in mind, I started listening to the radio at all hours of the day and at odd hours of the night. I, now rather meekly, feel guilty at not having spent similar hours at my studies. This went on for a couple of years.

In the meanwhile, I had bumped into certain radio signals where I could hear people involved in informal conversation - very unlike the one sided radio programmes of Radio stations. I convinced myself that they were pilots - I had no idea how pilots communicated for that matter. As it was an informal conversation - sometimes discussing matters of personal interest - general human tendency of listening to others conversation made me look out for these groups. Little did I realise what I had stumbled into.

Further events make me realise today that I was destined to be an Amateur Radio operator. I realised that what I was listening to was not Pilots having a chat while flying through an indirect episode.

In 1983, the State science promotion group, conducted a Rubik's cube competetion in Mysore for the first time (it later turned out to be the last time too!!). I had just then learned to solve the Cube. My friend and Rubik's cube guide convinced me that I too should take part in the competetion. It turned out to be the turning point or the entry point to my life as a Amateur Radio operator. Surprisingly I WON!!!

But what did it have to do with my becoming a HAM? Everything. The sponsors were publishing a Science Magazine in Kannada - the local language and as I had won the competetion, I was given a free subscription to their magazine. Being from a English Medium of education most of the Kannada terminology for science was a little too much for me. I had not bothered to even open the books for a few months.

Then came the crucial time - my destined time. One issue of the magazine, I did open! What do I see there? On one of the pages I see terms like VU2 GX, VU2TTC, VU2 NS, etc. I had heard that before - but where? During the conversations that I was listening to - convinced that they were airline pilots. The Title of the article - AMATEUR RADIO - written by (in later years) my good friend Girimaji - VU2GX.

It then dawned on me that I was actually into AMATEUR RADIO - HAM RADIO - and that I too could one day talk to others on the radio to be heard by the world.

I WAS BITTEN BY THE "HAM BUG"

Fascinating World of HAM Radio - Part 2

2007-01-01T19:19:00.000+05:30

What it takes to be a HAM.

Any person who is above the age of 12 years can aspire to be a HAM. In addition there are certain technical requirements before one can go on the air. The aspirant needs to undergo a written test conducted by the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, New Delhi. On successful completion of the test, an appropriate Licence is issued to own, maintain and operate a wireless radio station. The Licence is known as the Amateur Station Operator Licence (popularly called the “Ticket”)

The basic requirement to become a Radio Operator is that the individual needs to know the fundamentals of Electricity and Electronics. The level of the knowledge required as kept very simple and any one with a little effort can easily pickup the required subjects. Remember – the entry level age is just 12 years!!! Add a few topics related to the rules governing the use of the radio frequencies, operating procedures and record maintenance and you have yourself the Restricted Grade of operating Licence. Restricted in terms of the frequency range and the distance you can allow your signals to travel. It is plenty of fun and gives you a taste of the radio operation.

The next level allows you a greater are of coverage for your radio signals and more channels of the radio spectrum to use. It therefore means that the knowledge required and the proficiency needed will also be higher. For this level, a little more detail of the electrical and electronics theory is required. The topics related to the rules and regulations are basically the same. In addition, a degree of knowledge of the popular MORSE CODE is also essential. Taken as a new language, Morse code can be esily picked up within a couple of weeks. You prepare yourself for these and you are the proud possessor of a GRADE – 2 operating Licence. This level of licence allows you the luxury of operating on the Short wave frequencies with possibilities of communicating with the fellow operators on the other side of the globe!

Are you more proficient in Electronics and Electrical Theory? Can you cope with the higher levels of Morse Code? You still have to know about the rules and regulation. You can then opt for the next higher level of the Operating Licence – the GRADE – 1. This level of Licence allows you the benefits of having high-powered equipment with higher possibilities of voice communication with almost any part of globe. You can even have equipment capable of communicating with other operators using – SATELLITES. (Yes – there are satellites orbiting the globe dedicated to the use of HAM Radio Operators – More about Amateur Satellites in a later part).

Other than these three levels, there is one more level – ADVANCED GRADE - for the individuals with even higher levels of competency in the area of Electricity, Electronics and COMMUNICATION. Other criteria remains the same as in the case of GRADE – 1 operators.

In the next part I will be giving details of the operating frequencies and what exactly HAM operators do.

Keep those questions coming so that I can clarify your doubts.

Interlude

2006-12-26T12:13:00.000+05:30

It has been a long time since I blogged. New Job, New responsibilites, new environment, new colleagues. I have now settled into the job and should have some time on a weekly basis to keep my blog active.

News from the Mysore Ham Group is that the repeater (an automated receive and forward equipment facilitating long distance 2 way VHF communication) which was off the air for a long time due to various causes, is now back on the air and doing a good job at that.

New location, new antenna, new height and the usual winter propogation for VHF is giving it some good reports. I am also able to access the repeater from Bangalore with under 1 W with my "Wind powered - Rotatable" 5 element beam facing - somewhere - towards Mysore. That should be interesting.

We have one Ham from Guruvayur in Kearla also accessing the repeater, not forgetting the usual VU2 RCT Chandra from Puttur in Dakshina Kannada.

There are a lot of interesting Yahoo! groups related to HAM Radio. There are specific groups releated to HAM sat, Home Brewing, General Information, etc. Will provide the details on request. (Not that there is any secrecy!!!)

Keep giving me your queries so that I can make the topics more specific. I will also continue the series that has not flowed after Part I.

Sorry to keep you waiting

2006-09-01T11:04:00.000+05:30

I had intended to put in my second part before the month end of August. I am constrained to delay the post as I am in the process of changing my job and residence in Bangalore. I will be able to put in the post by mid-September. Keep watching

Fascinating World of HAM Radio - Part 1 Introduction

2006-08-08T16:05:00.000+05:30

I had promised to start writing on the fascination world of Amateur Radio. I have finally started after a long break.

Amateur Radio - HAM Radio as it is popularly and fondly called – is the hobby of experimenting with wireless communication using radio frequencies. Sitting in the comforts of the shack – place where the radio equipment is installed – a HAM operator is capable of talking to all parts of the globe. The persons who are in this hobby – scientists, housewives, students, professionals, sports personnel, politicians, policemen, journalists, servicemen – the list goes on.

Throughout its history, amateur radio enthusiasts have made significant contributions to the technological advancement of wireless communication. They have also contributed to social causes especially during natural and man-made emergencies by providing a second line of communications.

The term “Amateur” is used to this hobby as it is pursued by the enthusiast without any intention of monetary gains.

So also the word “HAM”, although the actual explanation for its usage is not recorded anywhere. Going by the dictionary – a HAM (other than the edible type) relates to an actor who is “non professional”.

There are a few popular stories behind the use of the word “HAM”. The most popular among these is that this term is made from the first letters of Hertz (Heinrich Rudolf Hertz who discovered radio waves), Ampere (André-Marie Ampère who discovered the flow of electric current) and Marconi (Guglielmo Marconi who pioneered wireless communication – called the father of modern radio). Wireless communication uses these three principles as the base.

Another popular story is that the Radio station at Harvard University was run by three friends Hyman, Almy and Murray. They called their station as the HAM station using the first letters of their names. They are credited with objecting to the Federal Government during World War for the retention of wireless equipment by the hobbyists. So the word HAM is reported to have stuck on.

The present day version is that as HAM radio operators have been Helping All Mankind in times of crises, it is appropriate that they be called so.

Whatever be the explanation, HAM operators continue to enjoy their hobby of communication – making new friends, exchanging technical notes, experimenting with the radio equipment, standing by to help mankind during emergencies.

Back on the Air - Really

2006-07-15T14:49:00.000+05:30

At last - after a long break - I am finally back on the air.

July 5th, 2006 - 7.15 AM - I picked up the hand set (a walkie-talkie -see pic.- hooked up to an exernal antenna placed on top of my owner's house) and said "VU2MUD" (my Amateur Radio Identification/Call sign). Back came the reply from an old friend Ismail "Good Morning Madhu, good to hear you after a long time. Good signals. Where are you operating from?" The reply and the continued conversation apart, I was happy that I was still remembered. It is good to meet my old friends on the air and to meet new ones. That is part of the thrills of Amateur (HAM) Radio.

I hope readers will remember that early last year, an Indian Satellite was put into orbit and one of the payloads was a "HAMSAT". It is actually a small satellite with a dedicated transponder (an automatic receive and transmit equipment to relay signals) for the use of HAM operators. I have also been able to listen to the downlink quite regularly. I do not have access to the proper equipment to put my signals out to the satellite yet.

I am now motivated enough to start a mini introductory session on HAM Radio in my future blog posts. I will keep them coming.

Apologies

2006-07-01T13:07:00.000+05:30

I had promised that I would be blogging at the rate of at least two posts per month. Due to certain changes in the office environment and responsibilities, I am not able to access the internet and also have very little time for blogging.

A couple of things to report.

First, the Ministry of Communications has agreed to continue renewal of licences at the old rate and not at the "exhorbitantly" revised rates. That is some respite for the time being.

Second, propogation conditions for radio waves being rather erratic, the radio activity of operators is not as per regular norms.

I am in the process of taking some decisions on my career front that may change my "blogger profile". In this context I expect to be a little more inactive over the next few weeks.

Hope to be back soon with more on Ham Radio.

Back on the Air - Almost

2006-04-18T18:18:00.000+05:30

After nearly 6 years since I went off the air, I will finally be heard on the air-waves. It was a long self imposed exile from the on - air operations. I continued to keep in touch with the Hams. That kept me informed about the activities and the progress of the hobby.

The reasons were plenty for me to go off the air.

The hobby was going a little out of control with certain grade of operators 'pushing' themselves into the activities. They were getting a little unruly. Operating ethics were thrown to the wind. Language, was at times, not palpable. Having come into the hobby the hard way (an altogether different story- to be narrated later in a separate post), I just could not come terms with the unruly behaviour on the air.

The homeliness and comoradeship was missing. People were getting into too many small groups discussing petty matters which was in contravention to the set ethics of the hobby. It was difficult to make new friends.

My work was getting too hectic. I was travelling almost 5 days a week giving me no free time.

It was also during this period that my life took a spirtual turn. I started certain spritual and religious actvities in the mornings.

There was also the possibility of my getting transferred from Mysore.

To top it all, the final nail on activities was - I got MARRIED!!!

Enough reasons to end all my radio activities. I have now finally come into Bangalore.

This weekend, I happened to come to Mysore. I pulled out the antenna and cables to be carried to Bangalore. I intend to put up the antenna on Sunday and should be making the good old ham radio "galata" - not to be linked to MGP's other acronym.

Will keep the info coming

Changes in the Amateur Radio Licence Rules

2006-04-01T16:00:00.000+05:30

There has been recent announcement in the Amateur Service Rules which has already been gazetted by the Govt. of India. There has been a general outcry by the Hams on the changes. The changes are very vague and no details have been made available.

Two major changes that have been made are : 1. Change in the categories of licences - reduced to only TWO from the previous FOUR grades (General and Restricted). 2. The licence fees have been fixed for periods for either LIFETIME (upto the age of 80 of the licence holder) @ Rs. 2000/- (approx. $40) and TEN YEAR ( from the date of issue or renewal)@ Rs. 1000/- (approx. $20).

While the changes in general are welcome, it is still not clear as to what categories of the previous grades have been merged. It is also not clear as to the operating facilities and frequencies that have been authorised for the new grades.

Regarding the licence fee structures, considering the lifetime licence cutoff age at 80 years, a Ham who is about 65 year of age will have to pay Rs. 2000 for a period of 15 years whereas he would have paid under Rs. 200/- (approx. $4) under the previous licence fee structure.

It is also going to stop newcomers - especially the youngsters who have to shell out such a huge amount just to get started in the hobby.

Such arbitraial changes in the rules, without taking the opinion of the persons who would be affected, and gazetting the changes, will certainly "KILL" the hobby which has been of great help to the country in providing a second line of communication especially during natural calamities, major sporting events, etc.

Mysore and HAM Radio

2006-03-13T13:44:00.000+05:30

Mysore is credited to be one of the first cities to have an amateur radio station. To cite history, India's first short wave public broadcasting station belonged to Dr. Matcalfe, VU2KH, a radio amateur. He was Vice-Chancellor of Mysore University. His group of radio amateurs established an entertainment public broadcasting station VU6AH in 1935. But then the authorities cancelled amateur radio licensing and took away ham radio equipment from enthusiasts when the War broke out in 1939. It was also the radio station in Mysore that gave the present day All India Radio its acronym - AKASHAVANI. Coming from such a historical backround, it was appropriate that the city also had an active present.
Amateur Radio (or HAM radio as it is popularly called) is the hobby of electronics with special emphasis on wireless communication. It is quite similar to pen friends. Only here we talk to our new found friends on the radio waves, instead if writing to them.
As the activity requires use of electricity and electronics, the enthusiast is requied to know the basics of the two fields. The airwaves are not open to the public. It is governed by the Government agencies. It is therefore necessary that necessary permission to use the airwaves is granted by the Dept. of Telecommunications, Wiresless Planning and Co-ordination Wing of the Ministry of Communications. To ensure that the applying person has the required knowledge of Electricity and Electronics, a simple test is required to be passed before grant of Licence to operate the Amateur Wireless Station.
There are different ways and differenct range of channels that the HAM operator can communicate with other similarly licenced operators.
Mysore City is among the top 20 in India by the number of HAMs licenced from the city. But the level of activity is quite low compared to many other cities with lesser number of HAMs. The two main Engineering Colleges - SJCE and NIE have taken active interest in the promotion of the hobby by encouraging their students to take up the hobby. They have imported wireless equipment for the use of their licenced students by setting up Club Stations.
I am one such who benefitted from the SJCE club station and later was involved in the setting up of the NIE club station. HAM radio has still a long way to go in future years.
I will be further writing on specific topics in future - like the History of Amateur Radio, the qualifications required to become a HAM, the acitivites one can participate in, the advantages and thrills of HAM radio operations, etc. I would appreciate comments, ideas and questions so that we can make this blog informative.