back
Who can go for ham radio?
A Ham radio operator (or an amateur radio operator) is a radio enthusiast, who by virtue of his fascination towards wireless communication technology enables himself to establish his own two-way radio station. With the availability of factory made sophisticated ham radio equipments, ham radio became a hobby of the millions who are laymen so far as their knowledge of electronics is concerned. Is it not thrilling to see that being a ham radio operator, even a 12-year old boy can talk to his ham friend, who, incidentally might be having expertise in a certain field? There is no pre-requisite qualification to become a ham. But one has to qualify the Amateur Radio Operator's Certificate (ASOC) Examination to entitle himself to get an Amateur Station operator's licence and a Call-sign. There is a misconception that just becoming the member of an amateur or ham radio organisation entitles somebody to be a ham. but, the fact is that, until and unless you get a Licence from the authority (in India it the Wireless Planning Coordination Wing of the Ministry of Communications) you can not become a ham! People from any educational background can become a ham within a period of three to four months time.

A ham may be an experiment oriented person having a great interest in home-made radio communication equipments.

A ham may be a radio enthusiast who likes to fiddle with the various kinds of radio communication equipment in a quest to learn something about their functions and capabilities and at the same time make on-the-air friendship with other radio enthusiasts around the world.

A ham may be a member of an expedition team for providing emergency radio communication service. Radio is the only way to keep in touch with the modern world from the remotest of the places.

A ham may be a person interested in providing his service to the people in distress by way of organizing on-the-air emergency communication during any type disaster (Flood, Cyclone, earthquake etc.). So ham radio is also considered as a voluntary service hobby.

A ham may be a media persons who needs to use it during extra-ordinary situations.

A ham may be a doctor who can organise emergency medical nets to provide on-the-air help to a person in medical distress.

A may be anybody who wants to take it as a technical sport.

A ham may be a shut-in who can literally travel accross the continents and oceans by just sitting in their room and make everlasting friendship with unknown people of the distant unknown lands.

A ham may be a person who wants to make a network of his own (Special interest groups).

A ham may be an unreasonable person! Because reasonable (!)people think so!

back