No Hams for Mumbai Disaster Management System
DNA India reports on the lack of Amateur Radio operators for the ham radio emergency communications system set up in Mumbai.
The DNA India report says:
The disaster management cell would not be able to save Mumbai if the mobile networks get jammed in the city.
To strengthen their communication system in case of emergencies, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had established HAM radio stations at their headquarters and the administrative ward. But there is no one to operate them.
The BMC had mooted to send 40 disaster control operators for free HAM training, but the six-month course has come to an abrupt end, with lakhs [hundreds of thousands] of rupees being wasted.
“The course is very technical. It is part of the radio engineering which takes two years to be taught. The same training is being imparted to us in span of six months. It is impossible for us to grasp it,” said an official from the disaster cell on condition of anonymity.
• • •
The Indian amateur radio licensing system seems to be plagued with bureaucracy. After passing the exam it can take 12-18 months for Government officials to process the license application.
Among the information required on an Indian ham radio licence application are things such as height, eye color, occupation and details of your Father, but not your Mother. India is one of the very few countries that insist radio amateurs pass a Morse code test before being allowed to operate on HF.
DNA India
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_bmcs-ham-radio-
but-no-operators_1618706
Indian Ham Radio Licensing
http://www.qsl.net/vu2msy/Ham_Licencing_Info.htm
|
