Ham Radio Communication

Ham Radio Communication

Why in News? 

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla recently spoke with school students across India using ham radio from space. The communication took place using amateur radio technology, making science feel personal and exciting. 

What is Ham Radio Communication?

• • Introduction:
    • Ham radio, also known as amateur radio, refers to a non-commercial radio communication system operated by individuals who are licensed to use specific radio frequencies for personal or experimental purposes. 
    • These users are known as amateur radio operators or “hams.” 
    • Operators use this system to talk across towns, between countries, and even with astronauts in space.
    • Ham radio allows operators to communicate using voice, Morse code, digital data, and even image transmission.
    • These transmissions happen on radio bands assigned for amateur use by national governments.
    • The word “amateur” in ham radio distinguishes the activity from commercial broadcasting and professional radio services.

• Origin:

• • • The first known amateur radio transmissions started around 1901, shortly after Guglielmo Marconi successfully demonstrated long-distance radio communication. 
    • By 1912, the United States government had passed the Radio Act, which required all radio operators to be licensed. This move officially recognized amateur radio as a regulated service.
    • Professionals once used “ham” to mock amateur operators, suggesting they lacked skill in telegraphy.

• Types:

• • • Voice (Phone) Communication: Operators use microphones to talk directly over frequencies using AM, FM, or SSB modes.
    • Morse Code (CW): Hams transmit messages using dots and dashes through continuous wave signals.
    • Digital Modes: Digital systems like FT8, PSK31, and RTTY send data through soundcard interfaces. They allow keyboard-to-keyboard chats.
    • Satellite Communication: Amateurs bounce signals off orbiting satellites (like AMSAT) to talk over long distances. It enables contact across continents.
    • Image Transmission (SSTV): Slow Scan Television sends pictures over radio waves one frame at a time. 
    • EchoLink and Internet Linking: Hams use internet-connected repeaters or software to talk worldwide using VoIP. It links traditional radio with modern communication systems.

• Global Reach:

• • In 2023, the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) estimated over 3 million licensed amateur radio operators worldwide. 
  • The largest numbers are found in countries like the United States, Japan, and India.
  • Digital modes of ham radio such as FT8 and PSK31 have become popular in recent years for their ability to operate with low power in noisy conditions.

How Ham Radio Works

• Radio Frequencies: Ham radio uses specific frequency bands allocated by governments. Operators gain access to HF (3–30 MHz), VHF (30–300 MHz), and UHF (300 MHz–3 GHz) ranges. HF waves bounce off the ionosphere to enable long-distance contacts. VHF and UHF bands work best for short distances since they travel only in straight lines.

• Transceiver: A core component is the transceiver that sends and receives signals. Handheld radios typically use 5 W output power. Mobile and base stations can produce 25–75 W and use larger antennas for extended range. Antennas vary from simple dipoles to Yagi arrays to vertical models depending on the frequency and use.

• Repeaters: Repeaters sit atop hills or towers to improve coverage. They listen on one frequency and rebroadcast on another, extending range significantly. In the 2‑meter band, hand-held radios using repeaters can reach 25–75 miles.

• Modulating Audio: Transceivers convert voice into electrical signals. Those signals modulate radio waves through frequency or amplitude change. Modulation types include voice, Morse code (CW), and digital formats. Ham operators use dedicated digital modes like FT8 and PSK31.

• Communication: The operator selects the right frequency by adjusting the transceiver. They then speak, tap Morse code, or send digital data. The antenna sends the signal through the air once it is modulated. Another operator’s receiver picks up the signal. Proper tuning and matching ensure clear message reception.

Ham Radio in India

• Historical Roots: Amateur radio began in India in 1921 when Amarendra Chandra Gooptu transmitted under callsign 2JK. Mukul Bose (2HQ) began two‑way communication the same year. In 1935, Mysore University launched a popular shortwave station VU6AH.

• Framework: India created its first national-level ham group, the Amateur Radio Club of India, in May 1948. This club transformed into the Amateur Radio Society of India (ARSI) in May 1954. 

• ARSI registered as a society and coordinates with national regulators. 

• It publishes a quarterly magazine and advocates licensing reforms.

• • • ARSI represents around 848 members nationally.
    • Indian Institute of Hams (IIH), founded in 1993, runs training programs that awarded thousands of licences

• Licensing System: The Indian Telecom Ministry regulates amateur radio through the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing (WPC) wing under the Telegraph Act of 1885. 

• • • India issues two transmission licences: Restricted Grade and General Grade.
    • General Grade allows up to 400 W on HF, while Restricted Grade limits to lower power.
    • Applicants must pass the ASOC exam testing Morse code, electronics theory, and regulations.

• Data: India hosts fewer licensed operators per capita than the US or Japan. 

• Certified hams in India are around 20,000 as of 2025. 

• Bengaluru has about 5,000 operators, with 1,200 newcomers in the last five years. 

• • Ham operators helped during the 2001 Gujarat earthquake by maintaining communication lines.
  • India hosts Hamfest India annually since 1991. Events include technical talks, flea markets, and equipment showcases.

Significance of Ham Radio

• Space: Ham radio acts as a communication bridge between space and people on Earth. In July 2025, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla used callsign VU2TNI to speak with Indian students directly from the ISS. Such live sessions inspire interest in space among youth and help them ask real-time questions.

• Emergencies: Ham radio continues to function even when modern systems collapse. After the 2004 tsunami and the 2018 Kerala floods, hams restored vital communication where systems had failed. They used battery-powered transceivers and portable antennas to send rescue messages.
• Educational Value: Ham radio encourages practical learning in science and electronics. Students learn to build antennas, handle circuits, and decode signals using real tools. The ARISS program, started in 1996, connects young learners with astronauts to promote space education. Many schools now include ham radio in science fairs.
• Social Skills: Operating ham radios improves communication, coordination, and technical problem-solving. It helps students understand real-world radio principles beyond textbooks. It builds confidence as learners engage in global networks and contests.