Ham radio operators geared up for Cyclone Phailin

[IK0ZCW]

HYDERABAD: Ham radio operators have swung into action gearing up to offer their services for communication with the dangerous threat of Cyclone Phailin looming large.

Two amateur radio operators — experts who have rendered their services in several disasters in the country and abroad over the years — are rushing to Odisha. The National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR) which was set up with the initiative taken by Rajiv Gandhi in 1983 has trained several ham radio operators so far in the country.

In Odisha, as many as 200 trained ham radio operators have been put on alert to rise to the occasion. Ham radio operators help in rescue operations when other means of communications may or may not be working. "Ham volunteers not only in Odisha, but all over the country have been asked to be available if their services are needed. As many as 40 have already volunteers have offered to go to any place if needed," NIAR director S Ram Mohan told The Times of India.

For now VU2JOS Jose Jacob and VU2MCW Mukesh Kumar Gola will reach Odisha by Saturday. "Since the training for the ham operators in Odisha has been given over the years, the job would mainly be to see that there are no technical glitches," Ram Mohan said.

The amateur radio operators from NIAR had helped the Odisha government in critical times when the state was hit by the super cyclone in 1999. Even when the chief minister's residence was without power supply and all telecommunications had got cut, ham radio operators came to the rescue helping the state be in contact with the outside world.

Following the help that was rendered the government took steps to get as many as 200 ham radio operators trained so that they can be depended upon for communication during rescue operations.

Following the alert about Cyclone Phailin, the Odisha state government got in touch with NIAR, Hyderabad to alert the entire network of ham radio operators and participate in the operations that may have to be taken up. "We have eight stations which have been put on active alert while there are 28 stations which are there as back-up at various places in the country," Ram Mohan said.

Usually during a disaster, Ham radio operators who pitch tent at different places share information over the radio so that rescue operations can be carried out.

"Right now, our concentration is on Pradip Port. The amateur radio network is being activated to be of assistance at the right place if the cyclone hits the area," Ram Mohan said.

Fonte: THE TIMES OF INDIA Oct 11, 2013, 09.23 PM