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How to become a
Ham?
Any individual above the age of 12 is
permitted to appear for Amateur Station Operator License Examination
conducted by Ministry of Communications. One should qualify a simple test
conducted in three subjects namely I) Morse Code (Transmission & Reception)
ii) Communication Procedure iii) Basic Electronics.
The
Officer-In-Charge, Wireless Monitoring Station, Dept. of Telecommunication
under Ministry of Communication, Govt. of India is the authority for
conducting these tests in their own town provided there are sufficient
number of applicants. The licenses are issued by Wireless Planning &
Co-ordination Wing of DOT, Govt. of India after passing the test in any of
the following grades:
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Restricted
Grade II -Permitting
use of VHF/UHF only (i.e Walkie-Talkies).
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Grade II -
Permitting HF/VHF/UHF frequencies but with limited transmitting power.
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Grade I-
Permitting all amateur frequencies with higher power including latest
techniques.
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Advance Grade-
Permitting higher power and advanced techniques including Satellite
Communication.
The Morse Code of 5
words per minutes sending-receiving will make eligible to get grade-II and
12 words per minutes sending-receiving will get grade-I. For advanced grade
higher level of technical knowledge in electronics is essentially required.
It takes just two
months (say two hours a day training) to become eligible for the
examination. Any Indian citizen over 12 years of age is eligible to write
the test and No Educational qualification is prescribed.
Basic knowledge can
be obtained by purchasing study manuals, books on Morse Code from NIAR.
There are many ways to go about preparing for and taking your ham
radio license test.
•Local clubs - For those that like a
structured approach, many clubs organize meetings and classes to teach the
basic skills of radio operation and prepare people for their ham radio
license test. At the end of the classes, a test is given. If you pass,
you're a ham!
•Self-study - It doesn't seem right to tell
you about going it alone, because then you're not doing it all by yourself!
Taking a class is a far better way to get your license; and when you pass
your test you will already have friends to talk to. But if you insist, I
feel obliged to tell you how to do it because this is the way I did it. |
