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A Guide to Amateur (Ham) Radio

What is Amateur Radio ?


Amateur 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 authorized 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
involves 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.
An Amateur radio 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. There are over 3 Million
licensed amateur radio operators throughout the world, and Sri Lanka has
over 200 licence holders.
Ham radio operators use two-way radio stations from their homes, cars and
outdoors to make hundreds of friends around town and around the world.
They communicate with each other using voice, computers, and Morse code.
Some amateur radio use radio signals bounced off the upper regions of the
atmosphere, so they can talk with ham operators on the other side of the
world. Other ham operators use amateur radio satellites. Many use hand-held
radios that fit in their pockets
Amateur radio, or "ham" radio, has been around for over ninety years, and is
for people of all ages, It's a unique way to communicate over the airwaves to
other people around the world of various age, profession and culture.
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,
and Sonia Gandhi of India. Late Rajiv Gandhi, King Birendra of Nepal,
King Hussein of Jordan and Astronaut Yuri Gagarin, Actor Marlon Brando,
were also well known hams.
Some Amateur Radio operators 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.
To get an amateur radio licence, one needs to pass an examination in radio
theory, regulations and also a Morse Code test for some licence categories.
The amateur radio service requires its users to have a valid amateur radio
licence in order to operate legally. After obtaining a licence amateur
operators may operate on designated bands for there licence class. Licence
holders are also permitted to design, build, modify and repair their own
transmitting equipment.
Some really dedicated hams enjoy taking the hobby to the extreme. This
includes using amateur radio 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 contact 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 organizations.
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.
During the recent Tsunami disaster when the telecommunication facilities
were disrupted, amateur radio operators voluntarily provided their services
using their own equipment. They operated a communication network to
coordinate disaster relief operations until normal telecommunication
facilities were restored.

Procedure for obtaining the Amateur Radio licence


One has to sit the Radio Amateur Examination conducted by the
Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) and obtain a pass in the
examination. Afterwards he/she can apply for the Amateur Radio licence
which will be issued by the TRC subject to security clearance by the
Ministry of Defense.
Radio Amateur Examination The Radio Amateur Examination is
conducted by the TRC. The application procedure is published in the
government Gazette. The Examination is held in 3 levels which will grant 3
classes of amateur radio licences. The Examination consists of Question
papers based on Electronics and Radio Communication Techniques and
Amateur Radio operating regulations, practices and procedures. For some
classes of licences a practical Morse Code test has to be passed.

Amateur Radio licence Classes


Novice Class : Examination consist of a Multiple Choice Question (MCQ)
Paper. VHF amateur band operation is permitted.
General Class Examination consist of a MCQ paper. UHF, VHF and HF
amateur band operation is permitted.
Advanced Class Examination consist of an Essay type Question Paper and
a Morse Code Test at 5 wpm. UHF, VHF and HF amateur band operation is
permitted at higher transmitter output power than that of General Class.
(VHF Very High Frequency, UHF Ultra High Frequency, HF High
Frequency. Generally UHF/VHF operation allow communication for short
distances while HF communication allow greater distances even overseas)
Syllabuses, past examination papers and any other related information can
be obtained from the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission. TRC is
located near the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV) Office.
The Address is
Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC)
276, Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 8
Tel : 011-2689345, 011-2689351, 011-2689352 Fax : 011-2689341
Website : www.trc.gov.lk

Radio Society of Sri Lanka (RSSL)


The Radio Society of Sri Lanka (RSSL) is the national body representing
licenced Amateur (Ham) Radio Operators in Sri Lanka and is a non profit
organization. It was established over 50 years ago.
The RSSL is incorporated in Sri Lanka under Companies Act No.17 of 1982
Limited by guarantee.
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).
Becoming a member of RSSL entitles newcomers to have the guidance,
experience and backing of licenced Radio Amateurs before and after
obtaining Amateur Radio licence. RSSL looks after the interests of Radio
Amateurs in SL and represents them in matters affecting them to TRC,
Ministry of Defense 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. Amateur radio licence holders are enrolled as
Corporate Members while others are enrolled as Associate Members.
Students under 18 yrs are enrolled as Student Members. There are two other
categories of Membership for Affiliated Clubs and Overseas Members.
Membership application forms can be obtained from the RSSL by post
sending a long stamped addressed envelope or downloaded from the RSSL
Web site.

RSSL Contact details


The correspondence address of RSSL is P.O.Box 907, Colombo .
The RSSL Web site is www.rssl.lk
Office Bearers and Members of RSSL could be met at the monthly General
Meetings.
Monthly General meetings of RSSL are usually held on the last Wednesday
of every month at 5.30pm in Colombo.
(Please verify date and venue of meeting before attending by contacting a
member of RSSL)

Kusal Epa 4S7KE (kusal@ieee.org) 09/2012

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