OSCAR India: Open Source Classes for Amateur Radio description

What is Amateur Radio?

Amateur Radio (ham radio) is a popular hobby and service that brings people, electronics and communication together. People use ham radio to talk across town, around the world, or even into space, all without the Internet or cell phones. It's fun, social, educational, and can be a lifeline during times of need.

OSCAR or Open Source Classes for Amateur Radio

OSCAR or Open Source Classes for Amateur Radio is an initiative of The Smart Future Foundation. Where Students can get education on amateur Radio Operators Certificate Examination without any cost. With a vision to spread Amateur Radio hobby among Indian

who is Amateur or HAM Radio Operator?

Amateur Radio operators come from all occupations -- doctors, students, kids, politicians, truck drivers, movie stars, missionaries and even your average neighbor next door. They are of all ages, sexes, income levels and nationalities. Whether through Morse Code on an old brass telegraph key, voice communication on a hand-held radio or computerized messages transmitted via satellite, all hams use radio to reach out to the world.

What's the Appeal of Amateur or HAM Radio?

You can communicate from the top of a mountain, your home or behind the wheel of your car, all without relying on the Internet or a cell phone network You can take radio wherever you go! In times of disaster, when regular communications channels fail, hams can swing into action assisting emergency communications efforts and working with public service agencies. For instance, the Amateur Radio Service kept New York City agencies in touch with each other after their command center was destroyed during the 9/11 tragedy.

History of Amateur Radio in India

The first amateur radio operator in India was Amarendra Chandra Gooptu (call sign 2JK), licensed in 1921. Later that year, Mukul Bose (2HQ) became the second ham operator, thereby introducing the first two-way ham radio communication in the country. By 1923, there were twenty British hams operating in India. In 1929, the call sign prefix VU came into effect in India replacing three-letter call signs. The first short-wave entertainment and public broadcasting station, "VU6AH", was set up in 1935 by E P Metcalfe, vice-chancellor of Mysore University. However, there were fewer than fifty licence holders in the mid-1930s, most of them British officers in the Indian army.

WHO CAN BECOME A Amateur Radio Operator in India?

Any citizen of INDIA who is above 12 years of age can become a ham by qualifying in the Amateurs station operators Certificate (ASOC) examination and obtaining a valid Amateur wireless telegraph station license.

How do one get a licence?

You have the pass one of the grades of Amateur station operator’s examination and then apply for the license.

Types of Examination and Licence

There are TWO categories of licenses, namely :

(i) Amateur Wireless Station Licence (GENERAL)

(ii) Amateur Wireless Station Licence, (RESTRICTED)