As we had reported couple of weeks back regarding ARSI & Red Cross Agreement for Emergency Communications, the event was finally launched by Governor of Karnataka Mr. H. R. Bhardwaj in Red Cross Premises.

Amateur radio operators have time and again come to people’s rescue during natural or manmade disasters, providing relief to families and individuals marooned during floods, earthquakes, building collapse and other calamities beyond human control.

Governor H R Bhardwaj launched Ham Radio Emergency Services at Red Cross Bhavan in Bangalore . To provide this reliable mode of communication, the Amateur Radio Society of India and the Indian Red Cross Society have joined hands to establish a radio hotline.

K N Rajaram, Secretary of Amateur Radio Society said the need of amateur radio during the crucial golden hour is invaluable in rescue missions. “When regular means of communication fail, either due to infrastructure failure or burden on existing facilities, amateur radio which works on battery power can provide with the needed vital link, until other communication links are restored,” said Rajaram.

Radio operators in the country have provided communication links during the Indian Ocean Tsunami, Latur earthquake, Koyna dam disaster and during numerous floods and hurricanes, in the past.

The facility installed at the station includes, high frequency (HF) and very high frequency (VHF) radios and antennae that can be used for local, as well as long distance communications.

The station can be contacted at call sign VU2ZH.

Read More:

• Deccan Herald : Radio Hotline Launched
• eHAM News: Radio Hotline Launched
• RadioActivity: Amateur radio operators launch radio hotline to handle crises