HAM Radio

This  project on pilot phase, tends to promote 30 VLEs , as certified and licensed amateur radio ( HAM Radio Operators). The proposed target VLEs on pilot basis are from different gender, social & ethnic background ( with priority to women, peoples with disability, tribal communities, inland fishing communities, marginalized farmers, dalits, etc.) in one selected District of Tamilnadu, India and namely , Dindigul District in Tamilnadu, India. 

The district is known for tourism, wild life , horticulture, inland fisheries, food industries, textile & garment sectors, etc. The district is further divided into 14 administrative blocks . As no such Amateur Radio Program is available to rural masses or disadvantaged population locally from government or non-government, this grant is sought . 

Through the grant, the VLE's will be trained and supported to avail certificate and licensing for HAM Radio operation. This is turn creates a handful of licensed HAM Radio Operators, who can be an role model to other aspirants including women and students of all ages. They also will act as ambassadors spreading knowledge and vital information on Amateur Radio and usages to rural masses and also to the adjacent semi-urban and urban communities, there be impacting a large society and serve as novel model in the state of Tamilnadu and India, in adaptation and usage of modern day technology for the benefit of the society. 

Further, these trained VLEs makes the possibility and availability of certified personals at grass root level; who in turn can train/guide their local communities in Amateur Radio and its operation, either on professional basis or as a service. 

Proposed Activities :

The proposed project of training, certifying and licensing 30 VLEs is planned for a period 5 months as follows

1. Identification of 30 Eligible VLEs: On initiation of the project, the organization will post newspaper ads and individual communications to the VLEs in the district for potential application. The applications received will be scrutinized based on gender, social marginalization and also on criminal background ( as licensing needs verification by government personals to check the background of the candidates in India). The shortlisted applicants will be conducted a personal interview and the 30 final selected applicants will be entered into training and program agreement.

 2. Recruitment of Trainers and Development of Curriculam: The project will involve qualified tutors on Electronics and Communication, who can conduct the training on scheduled and in a friendly environment. Guest tutors will also include, existing HAM Radio licensed operators from Tamilnadu, India. One part-time, program manager will be in-charge of overall coordination and support the project. The syllabus will be based on standard books and manuals meant for government exam , both in English and local language of Tamil.

3. Purchase of Equipment and Material for the training : The project will purchase basic equipment needed for demonstration on electronics and communication as required for the syllabus along with Morse code instrument, and other logistics.

 4. Conduction of the Training Program: The project will organize a 12 day training to the VLEs, planned to be conducted each Sunday ( 3 hours each). The training will involve lectures, demonstration and mock exam.( i.e) . Elementary knowledge of Electronics • Communication Procedure • Morse Code. The training will equip the VLEs for Restricted Grade Course and examination.

 5. Support towards Certification & Licensing : On successful completion of the training, the VLEs will be supported to attend the Amateur Station Operator's Certificate Examination (ASOC examination) conducted by the wireless planning coordination ( WPC) wing of the ministry of communications, New Delhi at the wireless monitoring station located at Chennai, Tamilnadu ( 400 Kms away from the project location). On successful completion of the examination , the candidates will be supported to avail license and with gift complement of a basic HAM Radio. The VLEs, will be further made in to a Amateur Radio Club at the District Level and handholded for further development. 

6. Monitoring, Documentation & Reporting.