"ON THE AIR" - as a Guest

Sorry for the long gap in between the posts. Year end peak activity at the office. Finally managed some time to put in this post.

Continuing, from where I left off, the night Mr. Muthanna visited me in my absence, I got no sleep. I was then doing my degree in Yuvaraja's College - in the first year. Mr. Muthanna had instructed that I could meet him only after my college hours - ie., after 3 PM. In my excitement of the first "eye-ball" (HAM parlance for a tete-e-tete), I rushed home at 2 PM. Had a quick wash, changed clothes and off on my trusted Raleigh bicycle (the same one that carried me on my "mad" trip looking for rain) to locate Mr. Muthanna's house. I remember reaching his locality by 2.35 PM, 5 mins later I had located his house. Thanks to the odd looking wires and poles on top of his house. I had, of course, expected to see a big rod standing on top of his house - comparing to the rod/pole/pipe? that I had seen in the compound of AIR Mysore. I went round the roads of his area spending time till the designated hour - 3 PM. 2.58 PM and I was at his gate. Promptly at 3.00PM I was ringing his doorbell.

I HAD MET MY FIRST RADIO OPERATOR IN PERSON!!!!!!

AT LAST. What a relief it was. He took me into his shack (Radio Room) behind the main house. It was filled with a rack housing a World War II Receiver - a commercial transmitter (Heathkit) - a antenna change over switch to change from the transmitter to the receiver. There was also a rack full of old magazines. There were also a few other gizmos used for testing and repairing the radio equipment.

After the initial round of introductions and my first "bringing down to earth" advice that HAM radio was not for students (reason it was not a cheap hobby), Mr. Muthanna switched on his radio and tuned around looking for activity. What luck! We heard Chak, Suri and the usual group in conversation. Muthanna joined into the group and informed the group - who already knew I was a regular listener to their conversations - that I was in the shack along with him. I remember Chak (VU2TTC), Suri (VU2NPS) and others addressing me and welcoming me to Ham Radio. Muthanna handed over the mike to me - I panicked. I realised that when it finally came down to talking to some one - some where - where I cannot see them in person - HOW & WHAT DO I TALK? With my experience of listening, I had rehearsed my conversation. But with mike in hand - I was lost for words. Muthanna had to finally put words into my mount. "Good afternoon dear Chak, Suri and others. I am happy to meet all of you. Hope to meet you on the air soon with my own call sign" - I finally managed to say. By the end of it I was sweating all over. With anxiety or with the sense of achievement of having put my voice "ON THE AIR" - I have not been able to decide.

But all in all - I HAD GONE "ON THE AIR". That was what finally mattered.

Muthanna (who became a "silent key" - Ham equivalent to breathing his last- in 1991) will forever be in my memory of being the person who brought me into this hobby that I am so passionate about.

THANKS MUTHANNA - VU2MP

Hunt for the HAM in Mysore

I had caught the "HAM fever".

This started on my hunt for information to become a operator myself. As I have mentioned earlier, I had heard of a HAM Mr. Muthanna residing right here in Mysore. But how do I meet him? I badly need information and guidance. HOW DO I REACH HIM?

This was when I began to act like an addict looking for his dose - at least that is what I have heard people do.

First I wrote to "Chak" for the address of Muthanna. He was clear in his words that he could not give the information as he was not sure that Muthanna was willing to meet me. First Shot - OFF TARGET.

What do I do now? I had heard that all the licences were issued by the Department of Telecommunications. I decided that all post offices would have a record of the HAM licence holders in Mysore. This was because, in those days (1980's) all radio receiving sets needed a radio licence. The post office was maintaining a list of licences in their area and I was sure they would have a record of Muthanna who also had a transmitting licence - at least that is what I believed. This belief led me to write out a reply post card addressed to "Mr. Muthanna - VU2MP-Mysore". That was all! In it went to the post box. Anticipation. Reply on the third day!!! but not from Muthanna but from the Head Post office with the remark "Insufficient Address". It was like a bucket of ice cold water poured on my head. Madness? - what else?

My desperate hunt went on for a few more weeks. But I could not extract any further details on the whereabouts of my dear "unknown" friend Muthanna. I was beginng to panic again. The despartion was starting to creep in again. Lo! I had a thunder storm of an idea. Why thunderstorm? Read On.

One "fine" afternoon, as I was at my usual listening routine - listening to the regular group of HAMs chatting - I heard Muthanna join in to the group. During the conversation, he mentioned something about the Mysore weather that made me sit up. "It is raining in Mysore" said Muthanna. RAINING? I look out of my window in surprise! It was a FINE afternoon - no sign of any clouds - let alone rains. That gave me the thunderstorm of an idea. I quickly changed clothes - out came my bicycle - onto it I hopped - pedalling away - eyes glued to the road - NO - to the SKY. Why sky? If it was raining near Muthanna's house - all I had to do was locate the area where it was raining and I would have the territory of Muthanna's residence! That was my game plan. The route that I had decided on was Devaparthiva Road (Chamarajapuram) - Ramaswamy Circle - THEN WHERE? Looking at the sky from Ramaswamy Circle - my plans were quickly washed away in the non existant rains. There was no way I could locate the source of the rains that was mentioned by Muthanna. With a realisation that I was indeed MAD I slowly turned back home.

Finally sense prevailed. I decided to try another source to gather the information. I wrote a letter to Mr. Suri VU2NPS (mentioned in the earlier post) with a request to forward my request for contact details and my address to Muthanna. Why did I not think of this earlier - the universal million dollar question?

Within a week of this request, around 5.30 PM - while I was away playing my favourite sport of Cricket, I was later informed by my mother - Muthanna had walked into our home with my address in hand asking to meet me. A retired person had walked nearly 7 KMs to meet a youngster in his early twenties (I was then about 21) who was MAD about HAM Radio. Madness - what else?

He had given his address and appointment for me to meet him at his residence next to the Deaf and Dumb School, New Bamboo Bazaar (Thilak Nagar), Mysore. I had met my mentor - my first personal meeting with a HAM!

Madness - Part 1

The Virus called "HAM BUG" is very dangerous.

The fever spread very fast. The realisation that I was listening to individuals who could build, own, operate and maintain a radio station was something I had not heard of - or for that fact imagined. I decided then that - as the saying goes - I would give my right hand to become a HAM. That put me in a odd sort of situation as the the future incidents will show. But all that a little later.

Now for some more background. After the realisation that they were down to earth individuals and not some "high flying" - I mean Pilots (Capt. Anup Murthy - no insult meant to you) - people, I got really locked on to the frequency. This was on the shortwave - just around where we had good Hindi film songs coming from Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corp. (Does any one remember listening to this station these days?). So it was easier locating these conversations at the slight touch of the tuning knob - too much movement and I would be listening to something else.

While listening, I started getting details of the hobby in detail. I learnt that the operators were - a businessman from Rajapalayam (Nickname - "handle" in HAM jargon - Suri - VU2NPS), a retired professor of Science from Salem (Vasan - full name Srinivasan - VU2NS), a retired All India Radio Installation Engineer from Mysore (Muthanna - VU2MP - the first HAM I met in person - that is a story in itself), a BLIND electronics serviceman from a small village in Tamil Nadu (Chak - full name Chakravarthy - VU2TTC - more details about him at www.qsl.net/vu2msy/chak.htm), to name a few.

It was Chak, who I take as my first "guru". It was Chak who used to talk about all topics related to the operating procedures, principles and other general details. It was also the person who encouraged listeners to send our "reception reports" to him - he always gave his address at the end of his transmission session for the day. He also gave out tips on how to send out the reception reports. I immediately sent out a post card to him giving him the details of who he was contacting and what was being discussed along with the time of the transmission.

Two days later, as was his usual habit, at 2.30 PM, he started mentioning the names of all the listeners (fondly called SWLs - Short Wave Listeners) who had sent our reception reports. It was then that I got the thrill of my life. "CHAK" CALLED OUT MY NAME!!!!!

It was the first time other than from a regular broadcast station that my name was mentioned by a person in what was a "LIVE" transmission.

The "HAM BUG" had entered my blood. I was bitten for life. This was the beginning of my "Madness".

Fascinating World of HAM Radio - Part 2

What it takes to be a HAM.

Any person who is above the age of 12 years can aspire to be a HAM. In addition there are certain technical requirements before one can go on the air. The aspirant needs to undergo a written test conducted by the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, New Delhi. On successful completion of the test, an appropriate Licence is issued to own, maintain and operate a wireless radio station. The Licence is known as the Amateur Station Operator Licence (popularly called the “Ticket”)

The basic requirement to become a Radio Operator is that the individual needs to know the fundamentals of Electricity and Electronics. The level of the knowledge required as kept very simple and any one with a little effort can easily pickup the required subjects. Remember – the entry level age is just 12 years!!! Add a few topics related to the rules governing the use of the radio frequencies, operating procedures and record maintenance and you have yourself the Restricted Grade of operating Licence. Restricted in terms of the frequency range and the distance you can allow your signals to travel. It is plenty of fun and gives you a taste of the radio operation.

The next level allows you a greater are of coverage for your radio signals and more channels of the radio spectrum to use. It therefore means that the knowledge required and the proficiency needed will also be higher. For this level, a little more detail of the electrical and electronics theory is required. The topics related to the rules and regulations are basically the same. In addition, a degree of knowledge of the popular MORSE CODE is also essential. Taken as a new language, Morse code can be esily picked up within a couple of weeks. You prepare yourself for these and you are the proud possessor of a GRADE – 2 operating Licence. This level of licence allows you the luxury of operating on the Short wave frequencies with possibilities of communicating with the fellow operators on the other side of the globe!

Are you more proficient in Electronics and Electrical Theory? Can you cope with the higher levels of Morse Code? You still have to know about the rules and regulation. You can then opt for the next higher level of the Operating Licence – the GRADE – 1. This level of Licence allows you the benefits of having high-powered equipment with higher possibilities of voice communication with almost any part of globe. You can even have equipment capable of communicating with other operators using – SATELLITES. (Yes – there are satellites orbiting the globe dedicated to the use of HAM Radio Operators – More about Amateur Satellites in a later part).

Other than these three levels, there is one more level – ADVANCED GRADE - for the individuals with even higher levels of competency in the area of Electricity, Electronics and COMMUNICATION. Other criteria remains the same as in the case of GRADE – 1 operators.

In the next part I will be giving details of the operating frequencies and what exactly HAM operators do.

Keep those questions coming so that I can clarify your doubts.

Interlude

It has been a long time since I blogged. New Job, New responsibilites, new environment, new colleagues. I have now settled into the job and should have some time on a weekly basis to keep my blog active.

News from the Mysore Ham Group is that the repeater (an automated receive and forward equipment facilitating long distance 2 way VHF communication) which was off the air for a long time due to various causes, is now back on the air and doing a good job at that.

New location, new antenna, new height and the usual winter propogation for VHF is giving it some good reports. I am also able to access the repeater from Bangalore with under 1 W with my "Wind powered - Rotatable" 5 element beam facing - somewhere - towards Mysore. That should be interesting.

We have one Ham from Guruvayur in Kearla also accessing the repeater, not forgetting the usual VU2 RCT Chandra from Puttur in Dakshina Kannada.

There are a lot of interesting Yahoo! groups related to HAM Radio. There are specific groups releated to HAM sat, Home Brewing, General Information, etc. Will provide the details on request. (Not that there is any secrecy!!!)

Keep giving me your queries so that I can make the topics more specific. I will also continue the series that has not flowed after Part I.

Sorry to keep you waiting

I had intended to put in my second part before the month end of August. I am constrained to delay the post as I am in the process of changing my job and residence in Bangalore. I will be able to put in the post by mid-September. Keep watching

Fascinating World of HAM Radio - Part 1 Introduction

I had promised to start writing on the fascination world of Amateur Radio. I have finally started after a long break.

Amateur Radio - HAM Radio as it is popularly and fondly called – is the hobby of experimenting with wireless communication using radio frequencies. Sitting in the comforts of the shack – place where the radio equipment is installed – a HAM operator is capable of talking to all parts of the globe. The persons who are in this hobby – scientists, housewives, students, professionals, sports personnel, politicians, policemen, journalists, servicemen – the list goes on.

Throughout its history, amateur radio enthusiasts have made significant contributions to the technological advancement of wireless communication. They have also contributed to social causes especially during natural and man-made emergencies by providing a second line of communications.

The term “Amateur” is used to this hobby as it is pursued by the enthusiast without any intention of monetary gains.

So also the word “HAM”, although the actual explanation for its usage is not recorded anywhere. Going by the dictionary – a HAM (other than the edible type) relates to an actor who is “non professional”.

There are a few popular stories behind the use of the word “HAM”. The most popular among these is that this term is made from the first letters of Hertz (Heinrich Rudolf Hertz who discovered radio waves), Ampere (André-Marie Ampère who discovered the flow of electric current) and Marconi (Guglielmo Marconi who pioneered wireless communication – called the father of modern radio). Wireless communication uses these three principles as the base.

Another popular story is that the Radio station at Harvard University was run by three friends Hyman, Almy and Murray. They called their station as the HAM station using the first letters of their names. They are credited with objecting to the Federal Government during World War for the retention of wireless equipment by the hobbyists. So the word HAM is reported to have stuck on.

The present day version is that as HAM radio operators have been Helping All Mankind in times of crises, it is appropriate that they be called so.

Whatever be the explanation, HAM operators continue to enjoy their hobby of communication – making new friends, exchanging technical notes, experimenting with the radio equipment, standing by to help mankind during emergencies.

Back on the Air - Really

At last - after a long break - I am finally back on the air.

July 5th, 2006 - 7.15 AM - I picked up the hand set (a walkie-talkie -see pic.- hooked up to an exernal antenna placed on top of my owner's house) and said "VU2MUD" (my Amateur Radio Identification/Call sign). Back came the reply from an old friend Ismail "Good Morning Madhu, good to hear you after a long time. Good signals. Where are you operating from?" The reply and the continued conversation apart, I was happy that I was still remembered. It is good to meet my old friends on the air and to meet new ones. That is part of the thrills of Amateur (HAM) Radio.

I hope readers will remember that early last year, an Indian Satellite was put into orbit and one of the payloads was a "HAMSAT". It is actually a small satellite with a dedicated transponder (an automatic receive and transmit equipment to relay signals) for the use of HAM operators. I have also been able to listen to the downlink quite regularly. I do not have access to the proper equipment to put my signals out to the satellite yet.

I am now motivated enough to start a mini introductory session on HAM Radio in my future blog posts. I will keep them coming.

Apologies

I had promised that I would be blogging at the rate of at least two posts per month. Due to certain changes in the office environment and responsibilities, I am not able to access the internet and also have very little time for blogging.

A couple of things to report.

First, the Ministry of Communications has agreed to continue renewal of licences at the old rate and not at the "exhorbitantly" revised rates. That is some respite for the time being.

Second, propogation conditions for radio waves being rather erratic, the radio activity of operators is not as per regular norms.

I am in the process of taking some decisions on my career front that may change my "blogger profile". In this context I expect to be a little more inactive over the next few weeks.

Hope to be back soon with more on Ham Radio.

Back on the Air - Almost

After nearly 6 years since I went off the air, I will finally be heard on the air-waves. It was a long self imposed exile from the on - air operations. I continued to keep in touch with the Hams. That kept me informed about the activities and the progress of the hobby.

The reasons were plenty for me to go off the air.

The hobby was going a little out of control with certain grade of operators 'pushing' themselves into the activities. They were getting a little unruly. Operating ethics were thrown to the wind. Language, was at times, not palpable. Having come into the hobby the hard way (an altogether different story- to be narrated later in a separate post), I just could not come terms with the unruly behaviour on the air.

The homeliness and comoradeship was missing. People were getting into too many small groups discussing petty matters which was in contravention to the set ethics of the hobby. It was difficult to make new friends.

My work was getting too hectic. I was travelling almost 5 days a week giving me no free time.

It was also during this period that my life took a spirtual turn. I started certain spritual and religious actvities in the mornings.

There was also the possibility of my getting transferred from Mysore.

To top it all, the final nail on activities was - I got MARRIED!!!

Enough reasons to end all my radio activities. I have now finally come into Bangalore.

This weekend, I happened to come to Mysore. I pulled out the antenna and cables to be carried to Bangalore. I intend to put up the antenna on Sunday and should be making the good old ham radio "galata" - not to be linked to MGP's other acronym.

Will keep the info coming