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How to Become Amateur Radio Operator
Any Indian citizen with an interest in fascinating world of radio communication can apply to become an amateur radio / Ham Operator. The minimum age required to appear in qualifying exam is set at 12 years. WPC [Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing of Ministry of Communications] conducts the Amateur Station Operator's Certificate (ASOC) examination at Monitoring Stations around the country. Once a person qualifies the ASOC examination, it entitles the candidate to get a communication licence (called as 'Ticket' by amateur operators) and a call-sign for the station. Call-sign is an alphanumeric combination which uniquely identifies each ham operator in the world.
How to Become a Radio Amateur
Amateur Radio Operators have to qualify in an examination conducted by Ministry of Communications, Government of India and obtain license for operating / possessing a Radio Station. Any individual above the age of 12 is permitted to appear for Amateur Station Operator LicenseOne should qualify a simple test conducted in three subjects namely
I) Morse Code (Transmission & Reception)
ii) Communication Procedure
iii) Basic Electronics.
The Officer-In-Charge, Wireless Monitoring Station, Dept. of Telecommunication under Ministry of Communication, Govt. of India is the authority for conducting these tests in their own town provided there are sufficient number of applicants.
The licenses are issued by Wireless Planning & Co-ordination Wing of DOT, Govt. of India after passing the test in any of the following grades:
Restricted Grade II -Permitting use of VHF/UHF only (i.e Walkie-Talkies).
Grade II - Permitting HF/VHF/UHF frequencies but with limited transmitting power.
Grade I- Permitting all amateur frequencies with higher power including latest techniques.
Advance Grade- Permitting higher power and advanced techniques including Satellite Communication.
The Morse Code of 5 words per minutes sending-receiving will make eligible to get grade-II and 12 words per minutes sending-receiving will get grade-I. For advanced grade higher level of technical knowledge in electronics is essentially required.
Basic knowledge can be obtained by purchasing study manuals, books on Morse Code from any of the amateur clubs.
Local clubs - Many clubs organize meetings and classes to teach the basic skills of radio operation and prepare people for their ham radio license test. At the end of the classes, a test is given. If you pass, you're a ham! Examination and No Educational qualification is prescribed. It takes just two months (say two hours a day training) to become eligible for the examination.
Following should accompany the application:
(1) Nationality Certificate/Character Certificate in the prescribed Performa (find the perform in “Indian Rules & Regulation” section in this site) from a gazetted officer.
(2) 2 copies of recent passport size (3 x 4 cms)photographs duly signed by you on the front side.
(3) Examination fees in the form of Bank Draft (DD) drawn from a SBI branch of appropriate amount (Refer to the latest Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Service) Rules for necessary fee structure).
(4) Personal particulars (in quadruplicate) in the prescribed Performa (find the Performa in “Indian Rules & Regulation” section in this site)
(5) An attested copy of birth certificate or School Leaving certificate as a proof of your age (the minimum age requirement to appear for the examination is 12 years)
After the declaration of the result, a copy of the result and your "Personal particulars" will be forwarded by the Wireless Monitoring Station, to the WPC Wing of the Ministry of Communications, New Delhi. The WPC Wing, New Delhi will then inform the concerned Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs for a ‘Security Clearance’/Police Verification. After the police verification report is received with a clearance, the WPC Wing will write to you that you will be awarded a "Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence" on payment of the requisite "Licence fee". Remember that ‘Examination Fee’ and ‘Licence fee’ is different and the ‘Licence fee’ should be sent only when asked for. This time, the mode of payment is same as above, but you have to send it directly to the-
Assistant Wireless Adviser to the Govt. of India,
WPC Wing of the Ministry of Communications,
Amateur Radio Section,
Dak Bhawan, Gate No. 4,
Parliament Street,
New Delhi-110001
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