VIJAYAWADA: You may be under the impression that HAM radio’s days are over! On the contrary, students who are pursuing electronics and communication streams are taking up HAM (Home Amateur Machine) operating as a hobby, in pursuit of engineering projects, and they say that it is indeed quite an interesting hobby.
“Ham radio operation is a scientific hobby and is reckoned to be the second line of communication when all the other means of communication fail. It is also a tool to promote friendship globally, even as many youngsters, especially those pursuing electronic engineering, are pursuing it as a hobby in pursuit of engineering projects,” said A Ramesh Babu, training coordinator of Academy of Ham Radio in the city.
As many as 70 students are undergoing training as amateur HAM radio operators at the academy by paying Rs 1,000 and a majority of them are engineering graduates. The students will be provided with a licence to set up their HAM radio station after the completion of programme.
“I am very interested in learning HAM radio operation and also planning to do my final project on this topic. I have joined the academy so I can gain more knowledge about instruments to complete my project,” said Sk Mastan, a final year EEE student of Dhanekula Institute of Engineering and Technology.
The Wireless Planning Coordination Wing, which works under the Ministry of Telecommunication, will issue the licence to students who undergo the training programme and online test. For those with electronics background, a one-month session will be conducted before they attend the test. However, freshers will have to take two-month training programme to take the test.
“Unless students have the licence, they are not allowed to do their project works. Last year, we have trained nearly 100 students and we are expecting more this year,” Ramesh said.
The HAM radio operators can make their own transmitter, receiver, software defined radio, antenna and can conduct scientific experiments in radio techniques and digital communication, communicate with other HAMs located in any part of the world, once if they get the license. “This certificate is more valuable for electronic students to complete their projects on HAM radio and they can help people during natural calamities such as floods, earthquakes and cyclones, and also during accidents through their services,” Ramesh added.