An Introduction to Amateur Radio

• What is Amateur Radio
• What Hams do with amateur radio
• How to Become a Radio Amateur
• Who issues Amateur Radio License in India?
• Subjects of Exam
• Detailed syllabus
• Where to take Ham Radio License Examinations
• The exam fee
• Schedule of examinations

• What is Amateur Radio?

Amateur radio is a community of people that use radio transmitters and receivers to communicate with other licenced Amateur radio operators. Amateur radio operators are often called ham radio operators or simply "Hams". Ham radio operators use designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, exchange of messages of non-commercial in nature, experiment on wireless technology, self-training and emergency communication. The term "amateur" is used to specify persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest.

• What Hams do with amateur radio?

Amateur radio is a hobby with many facets, The main activity of an amateur radio operator is to first set up a radio station which is also called as shack in his home which contains transreceivers and antenna which which he/she can communicate with other fellow Hams. Hams uses different modes and frequencies to communicate with other hams. Below are some of the modes and activities listed.

• ARDF (Amateur Radio Direction Finding) or Fox Hunting.
• Amateur Radio emergency communications.
• Amateur Radio Homebrew.
• Participate in Amateur Radio contest for awards.
• Amateur Television and Slow Scan Television.
• Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS).
• Long distance DX communications.
• DX-pedition.
• Attend Hamfest.
• Satellite communication.
• Mobile or Portable communication
• QRP or Low power operation.
• Designing QSL cards and distribution.
• Provide safety communication in Motorsports.
• Internet Radio Linking Projects
• Talk to Astronaut's in space stations.

• How to become a Radio Amateur?

Any individual above the age of 12 can became a ham in India after qualifying in Amateur Station Operators Certificate examination.

The Officer-In-Charge, Wireless Monitoring Station, Dept. of Telecommunication under Ministry of Communication & Information Technology, Govt. of India is the authority for conducting the examination in their own town provided there are sufficient number of applicants.

There are 2 grades of licences:

1. Restricted Grade  -Permitting use of Medium power. (1 hour exam)
2. General Grade      - Permitting use of Higher power.  (2 hour exam)

The syllabus consists of  Basic Electronics and Communication Procedure and the exam is of objective type.

To qualify in General Grade one must qualify in  Morse Code at 8 words per minute.

It takes just a few weeks training to become eligible for the examination.

Basic knowledge can be obtained by purchasing study manuals, Audio CD/Tapes on Morse Code from IIH or NIAR. There are many ways to go about preparing for and taking your ham radio license test.

•Self-study - Collect the study material and try to learn it yourself. Lot of information is available on internet now a days.

•Local clubs - For those that like a structured approach, many clubs organize classes to prepare people for their ham radio license test. 

The exam fee is Rs. 100 per grade

Amateur Radio licences are issued after clearance by Home Ministry, Govt. of India.

The licence fee for 20 years is Rs.1000/- and Rs.2000/- for life time.

• Subjects of Exam

• Basic Electronics  (Only Theory)
• Rules, Regulations & Operating Procedures of Ham Radio

• Detailed syllabus
• Click here for Detailed Syllabus

Where to take Ham Radio License Examinations

Examinations are conducted by Monitoring stations of Min. of communications throughout the country. A nominal fee is charged to cover the costs of the testing. You can directly contact them for the examination schedule in your city.

The best way is to contact local HAM club for example VU2IIH (Indian Institute of Hams) in Bangalore and NIAR in Hyderabad.

• Schedule of examinations

Place	Month of examination
Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and Madras	Every month
Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Nagpur	January, March, June, August, October and December
Ajmer, Bangalore, Darjeeling, Gorakhpur, Jalandhar, Goa, Mangalore, Shillong, Ranchi, Srinagar and such other places where a monitoring station of the Monitoring Organisation of the Ministry of Communications is located	January, April, July and October