Amateur radio set to expand coverage area

Ham Radio operators of Vijayawada, Guntur and surrounding places are eagerly waiting for the installation of a fully professional commercial ham radio repeater-cum-duplexer atop Gunadala Hill in the city.

The installation of the repeater-cum-duplexer at an estimated cost of three lakh rupees will expand the coverage area of Ham Radio Centre in the city. The entire Krishna and Guntur, most parts of West Godavari and Khammam and some parts of Prakasam and East Godavari districts in the coastal region will come under its purview.

Speaking to The Hans India, Ham Radio Training Centre coordinator A Ramesh Babu said, “Gunadala Hill was selected for the installation of the repeater-cum-duplexer because it is centrally located in the city with a height of about 750 ft.

A majority of people are ignorant of multiple utilities of ham radio. Besides establishing vital communication links in disaster-hit areas, amateur radio can be used for private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training and other purposes.”

Ramesh further explained that a formal permission from the district authority has been awaited to install repeater-cum-duplexer atop the hill. “Low powered VHF handy is enough to trigger the fully professional commercial repeater-cum-duplexer, which is in testing mode now. Its antenna is placed at a height of 100 ft from the ground level. Even at this height, it is functioning well.

If the repeater-cum-duplexer is installed at a height of 750 ft, it covers more areas in coastal districts. The repeater will be connected to EchoLink, which allows licensed Amateur Radio stations to communicate with one another over the internet, using streaming-audio technology,” he informed, adding that there are about 500 licensed ham radio operators in the region.

Ramesh Babu feels that the installation of the repeater-cum-duplexer will promote amateur radio in a big way in the capital region and also help strengthen the communication network, besides coming in handy for disaster management authorities to take up rescue and relief operations on a war-footing during natural calamities thus mitigating the loss of life and property.

By Sistla Dakshina Murthy