Young geeks and amateur radio enthusiasts in the state capital can now explore the exciting world of ham radio.

National Institute of Amateur Radio (Niar), Hyderabad, on Wednesday joined hands with Prof G.P. Sinha Centre for Disaster Management and Rural Development, Patna for setting up a ham radio station at Rajendra Nagar as a pilot project sponsored by the Union ministry of information and technology.

Derived from the initial letters of three pioneers of the radio — Hertz, Armstrong and Marconi — ham is used to describe an amateur radio operator who facilitates communication using radio waves. Ham radio is widely taken up by individuals above 12 years across the globe as hobby and a communication equip-ment during emergency.

Talking about the importance of ham radio, S. Ram Mohan, director, Niar, said: “It is seen that during floods, cyclones, fire or earthquakes, communication systems go awry. The systems are disrupted as either workstations become non-functional or towers are uprooted. Even in such cases, a ham radio can be used and direction passed by the administration, as any disaster requires quick response. This was tested at the time of the tsunami in South Asia (2004), the Gujarat earthquake (2001) and the Aila cyclone in Bengal (2009).”

Mohan added: “Ham radio is not only confined to disasters. In fact, its popularity in India is on the rise. Youths, school and college students, social networking organisations and even NGOs are using it. Exclusive ham radio clubs have been formed to exchange views, educational matter and entertainment.”

More than 16,000 licensed users in India practise ham radio.

The first amateur radio operator was licensed in 1921 in India. To obtain a licence, candidates must pass the Amateur Station Operator’s Certificate examination.

This examination is held every month in Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai.

Ham radio technology uses certain dedicated radio frequencies ranging from 500khz to 500mhz and its reaches out to hams across the globe.

“At present, ham radio equipment is not manufactured in India and has to be imported from other countries. Owing to this, the cost goes up to Rs 1 lakh,” said Mohan.

“Ham operators can also make their own radio, which would have less functions than the professional ones and it would cost Rs 3,000,” he added.