Five reasons to become a HAM Operator in Sri Lanka
Some of you may wonder, what are the advantages of HAM radio, when there is much more robust, wide-spread and easy accessible communication modes? For example, anyone can easily talk to a person on the other side of the world using Phone or VoIP software, having very good quality audio, video and data.
HAM radio is also known as Amateur Radio. The name misleads here. Amateurs are in fact Experts in using any piece of metal as an Antenna, and able to communicate long distance with few basic electronic components (e.g one Transistor, few capacitors, few coils and a battery) wired together.
No reliance of any infrastructure
Over the years our Island has developed communication infrastructure. We have put up lot of mobile towers, extended our wired network to remote areas, and most of the densely populated areas are being serviced with Fiber-Optic cables.
However all connectivity now happens through a handful of submarine cables all of which are terminated at three stations in Sri Lanka. We do not have a single point of failure as such, but most traffic passes through Colombo station, which is almost like a single point. We can recall an incident in 2004 [1] break in one of the submarine cables, thus causing very slow internet connectivity. Also the Padukka satellite station, which provided the connectivity to the world for decades is now converted to a museum. Hence we only rely on submarine cables.
Our cellular network has improved and penetrated all over the country. However they can only function for a few hours without grid power, the Achilles heel of the existing communication infrastructure.
On the contrary, HAM radio equipment needs no permanent connectivity. No permanent power source, no permanent antenna, etc.. It can be operated by a solar panel, small generator or even a car battery. These equipment can be carried over to any emergency location, by means of any available transport. They can even be carried over a back-pack and operated on a mountain top, providing instant communication across the world.
Experimentation
The main purpose of HAM activity is to do experimentation on radio waves and radio propagation. The ITU [3], which is the worldwide coordinating body for radio waves, has correctly recognised the need for experimentation and self training of professionals. The body has allocated frequency bands for amateur experimentation. A knowledgeable reader would already know that there are different characteristics in different frequency bands, from Medium Wave(MW), Short Wave(SW), VHF, UHF, SHF… and so on. For example, Satellite communication usually on SHF, whereas long distance broadcasting is on MW.
Having allocated the experimental bands on each segment allows the professional to do self experiments on each bands.
Outdoor expeditions
There are numerous outdoor activities some of us are participating in. Few are listed below.
- Off-Road/4x4 trails
- Hiking
- Camping
- Sailing
Participants in these activities would know first hand that the normal cellular network is not much usable in many instances.
Radio communication equipment is one of the greatest assets in these activities.
However there is very little penetration on HAM radio in this area in Sri Lanka. There is a great potential to increase the safety of these activities having the HAM license and equipment available on these activities.
Prestige
It is a prestige having the HAM license in anywhere in the world. It shows that the licence holder is a respectable person who can handle advanced technology. It also shows that the person is keen on learning things which do not directly have financial benefit.
An identifier named as a “Callsign”, for each Sri Lankan HAM operator is given by TRC-SL, which is unique across the world. Having the callsign on your profile will add a value on the profile, like one has a masters degree or higher qualifications.
The HAM radio licensee is screened by “Ministry of Defence” prior to granting the license. This also is a good indicator for the character of the license holder.
As a hobby
The most important part of any activity is the joy of doing it. Participating in contacts via HAM bands provides very good entertainment and fun.
For example, let’s take the recent lock-down due to COVIC-19. There were two ways in which Sri Lankans could make social contacts while keeping physical distance. The Internet is one, the other is HAM Radio.
However, the fun part of the HAM radio is that it is like playing a video game, where you face many unexpected situations due to environmental factors, like Day/Night, Sun spot, Seasons, Storms, Rain, etc.. Planning and finding solutions in order to operate the radio, provides challenges we need to keep our brain at its peak and also joy.
Also HAM radio has been there for years and will be there for years to come, while adding new modes of communications, including digital modes. However it has not outdated over centuries of presence, and it will be. This activity will also be a good choice after retirement, as one can indulge with the activity without leaving his or her own room, at the worst conditions on health and any other.
Summary
This article describes the advantage of getting into HAM radio activity, irrespective of what you are. You can be an adventurous person on outdoor or like to be inside the home comfortably, HAM radio is one of the activities that fits for all.
Please see my other blog on how to pass the amateur radio exam in Sri Lanka
References
[2] https://www.lankabusinessonline.com/sri-lanka-tsunami-amateur-call-2/
