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| Sunday, 27 June 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Amateur Radio also known as Ham Radio is the practice of two way radio communication between two or more licensed amateur radio operators. Amateur Radio is used by those who have an interest in radio communication techniques, construction and operation and for ensuing friendships with likely minded individuals throughout the world. It is not used as a means of profit or for business purposes. The Amateur Radio Service is defined as "a radio communication service" for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication, and technical investigations carried out by amateurs, that is, duly authorised persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary (monetary) interest". Amateur Radio is a worldwide service, recognized in almost all countries. It helps the transmission and reception of radio signals, as an amateur experimental activity. Radio Amateurs also place their services on a voluntary capacity in social service and emergency situations. Amateur radio, or "ham" radio, has been around for over ninety years, and is for people of all ages, including teens. It's a unique way to communicate over the airwaves to other people around the world of various age, profession and culture. There are over 3 million licensed amateur radio operators throughout the world, and Sri Lanka has over 300 licence holders. Amateur Radio operators come from various backgrounds, there are Engineers, Doctors, Accountants, Teachers, Farmers, Students and others in many professions who operate amateur radio. There are many who as youngsters started Amateur Radio as a hobby and later converted it to a career in Electronics and Communications. Some of the famous people who operate ham radio are King Juan Carlos of Spain, King Moulay Hassan of Morocco, King Bhumiphol Adulayadej of Thailand, Actor Marlon Brando, and Sonia Gandhi of India. Late Rajiv Gandhi, King Birendra of Nepal, King Hussein of Jordan and Astronaut Yuri Gagarin were also well-known hams. Ham radio operators use two-way radio stations from their homes, cars and outdoors to make hundreds of friends around town, an around the world. They communicate with each other using voice, computers, and Morse code. Some hams bounce their signals off the upper regions of the atmosphere, so they can talk with hams on the other side of the world. Other hams use satellites. Many use hand-held radios that fit in their pockets Hams exchange pictures of each other using television. Some also like to work on electronic circuits, building their own radios and antennas. A few pioneers in Amateur Radio have even contributed to advances in technology that we all enjoy today. Some really dedicated hams enjoy taking the hobby to the extreme. This includes using satellites, bouncing signals off the moon, connecting local radio systems around the world though real-time Internet streaming audio, and even amateur television where operators can see each other as they talk! There are even ham-astronauts who take radios with them on the International Space Station and thrill thousands of hams on earth with a call from space! 'Ham radio' is not only a fun pass time, but also helps out the general public in times of communication needs. This includes public events such as Scout jamborees, road races and marathons, and even extends to natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods when conventional communications methods are out of service. Today, many Radio Amateurs are active in public service and emergency communications organisations. Amateur radio operators have played a prominent role in providing communications in the event of natural disaster or in civil emergency situations where existing data and voice networks are either inoperative or insufficient. Amateur Radio Licence An Amateur operator is a person holding a valid licence to operate an amateur radio station. In Sri Lanka, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) issues amateur radio licences. To get an amateur radio licence, one needs to pass a multiple-choice exam in radio theory, and regulations and also a Morse Code test for some licence types. The minimum age for sitting the examination is 14 years. The Amateur Radio Service requires its users to have a valid Amateur Radio Licence in order to operate legally. Once licensed, hams may operate an amateur radio transmitting station on designated bands for their licence class. Licence holders are also permitted to design, build, modify and repair their own equipment. The Radio Society of Sri Lanka (RSSL) The Radio Society of Sri Lanka (RSSL) is the national body representing licensed Amateur (Ham) Radio Operators in Sri Lanka and is a non profit organisation. It was established over 50 years ago. The Radio society of Sri Lanka is a member society of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), which has the sector membership of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and is the recognized representative of the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services at the ITU. Becoming a member of RSSL entitles newcomers to have the guidance, experience and backing of licensed Radio Amateurs for obtaining an Amateur Radio licence. RSSL looks after the interests of Radio Amateurs in Sri Lanka and represents them in matters affecting them to TRC, Ministry of Interior and other Authorities. RSSL also conducts monthly General Meetings, classes for members who intend to sit Radio Amateur exam, outings, contests and field trips to enhance the knowledge of Amateur Radio and to promote fellowship among members. Members also receive a free monthly newsletter. Any person who is interested in Electronics and/or Amateur Radio can apply for RSSL membership. Further details could be obtained by sending a long self addressed stamped envelope to RSSL, P.O. Box 907, Colombo, or visiting the RSSL Website at www.qsl.net/rssl Kusal Epa, Hony. Secretary, The Radio Society of Sri Lanka. |
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