Out of this world chat

“I am an Amateur Radio (AR) operator,a.k.a. a HAM,” Vivek Bansal,a Chandigarh-based businessman,introduces himself. “I had been trying for six to seven months before I bumped into the ISS in space,” tells Vivek of his first ‘out of this world’ chat!

Welcome to the world of satellite-tracking and space chats. “We call it ‘talking to the birds’!” says Bansal of his hobby that he has no words to describe.

A few years ago he saw his friend,lawyer Amit Sethi,use the AR and then began his journey as a HAM operator. “Now we have three HAM licenses in my family — my wife,my brother and I. There are only two more HAMs in the city,” says Bansal adding that securing a license is not an easy task.

While no license is required to listen to AR,to be able to transmit and listen to particular frequencies one has to clear the Grade Two test taken by the Ministry of Communication. The first part is Technical — based on Maths and Physics of up to Class X (exempted if one is an Electric Engineer) and the second part is legal — based on the Indian Telegraphic Act 1985.

“It’s the third part that stumps many. We need to learn the Morse Code to be able to send and receive messages,” says Bansal who waited for two years for his license that needs to be renewed every five years. One has to purchase a set that costs Rs 5,000 onwards.

“All satellites send a homing signal called Beacon. Communication can only happen when satellites are above your city. One can even hear the astronauts talking. It’s a unique feeling,” says a visibly excited Bansal. While his son loves to hear the satellites,Bansal urges parents to promote this hobby,since anybody above 12 years of age can apply.

“During Tsunami,HAM Bharti was the only contact between the authorities and the affected area since all other means of communication were non-functional. A Grade One license user,she also conveyed the well-being of foreign tourists to their home countries.”

Famous Indian HAMs include Amitabh Bachchan,Rajiv Gandhi and Kamal Hassan. “People flaunt their cellphones but no one can reach the space,” Bansal signs off.