What is Amateur Radio

Amateur Radio is the practice of two way radio communication between two or more licensed amateur radio operators. Amateur Radio is used by those who have an interest in radio communication techniques, construction and operation and for ensuing friendships with likely minded individuals throughout the world. It is not used as a means of profit or for business purposes.

The Amateur Radio Service is defined as “a radio communication service for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by amateurs, that is, duly authorized persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary (monetary) interest.” Amateur Radio is a worldwide service recognized in almost all countries. It helps the transmission and reception of radio signals as an amateur experimental activity. Radio Amateurs also place their services on a voluntary capacity in social service and emergency situations.

An Amateur operator is a person holding a valid license to operate an amateur radio station. In Sri Lanka, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission issues amateur radio licenses. There are over 3 Million licensed amateur radio operators throughout the world, and Sri Lanka has over 300 license holders.

Amateur  Radio operators come from various backgrounds, there are Engineers, Doctors, Accountants, Teachers, Farmers, Students and others in many professions who operate amateur radio. There are many who as youngsters started Amateur Radio as a hobby and later converted it to a career in Electronics and Communications.

Some of the  famous people who operate ham radio are King Juan Carlos of Spain,King Moulay Hassan of Morocco, King Bhumiphol Adulayadej of Thailand, Actor Marlon Brando, and Sonia Gandhi of India. Late Rajiv Gandhi, King Birendra of Nepal, King Hussein of Jordan and Astronaut Yuri Gagarin were also well known hams.

Ham radio operators use two-way radio stations from their homes, cars and outdoors to make hundreds of friends around town and around the world. They communicate with each other using voice, computers, and Morse code. Some hams bounce their signals off the upper regions of the atmosphere, so they can talk with hams on the other side of the world. Other hams use satellites. Many use hand-held radios that fit in their pockets.

Amateur radio, or “ham” radio, has been around for over ninety years, and is for people of all ages, including teens.  It’s a unique way to communicate over the airwaves to other people around the world of various age, profession and culture.

Hams exchange pictures of each other using television. Some also like to work on electronic circuits, building their own radios and antennas. A few pioneers in Amateur Radio have even contributed to advances in technology that we all enjoy today.

To get a amateur radio license,  one needs to pass multiple-choice exams in radio theory, regulations and Morse Code (for some license types).

The amateur radio service requires its users to have a valid amateur radio license in order
to operate legally.  Once licensed, hams may operate on designated bands for there license class.  License holders are also permitted to design, build, modify and repair their own equipment.

Some really dedicated hams enjoy taking the hobby to the extreme.  This includes using satellites, bouncing signals off the moon, connecting local radio systems around the world though real-time Internet streaming audio, and even amateur television where operators can see each other as they talk! There are even ham-astronauts who take radios with them on the International Space Station and thrill thousands of hams on earth with a call from space!

Public Safety

Ham radio is not only a fun pass time, but also helps out the general public in times of communication needs.  This includes public events such as scout jamborees, road races and marathons, and even extends to natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods when conventional communications methods are out of service. Today, many Radio Amateurs are active in public service and emergency communications organizations. Amateur radio operators have played a prominent role in providing communications in the event of natural disaster or in civil emergency situations where existing data and voice networks are either inoperative or insufficient.

How can one become an Amateur Radio operator ?

One has to obtain a license to become a Radio Amateur. This license is issued by the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRCSL).

What is the procedure for obtaining the Amateur Radio license ?

One has to sit the Radio Amateur Examination conducted by the TRCSL and obtain a pass in the examination. Afterwards he/she can apply for the Amateur Radio license which will be issued by the TRCSL subject to security clearance by the Ministry of Defence. Annual license fee range from Rs.50-100 for different classes of license.

How can one sit the Radio Amateur Examination ?

The Radio Amateur Examination is held by the TRCSL twice a year. The application procedure is published in the government Gazette. The Examination is held in 3 levels which will grant 3 classes of amateur radio licenses. The Examination consist of Question papers based on Electronics and Radio Communication Techniques and Amateur Radio operating regulations, practices and procedures. For some classes of licenses a practical Morse Code test has to be passed.

What are the different classes of Amateur Radio  licenses ?

Novice Class :  Examination consists of 2 papers.
Paper 1 : Basic electricity, radio and electronic theory (2 hours)
Paper 2 : licensing conditions, operating practices and procedures. (1 hour)

Amateurs who have passed Novice Class examination are eligible for 4S5xxx call sign.

Radio frequency allocations for novice class