How to become a Ham Radio (Amateur Radio) operator in India?

| January 10, 2023 | Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) | No Comments

How to become a Ham Radio (Amateur Radio) operator in India?

Any citizen of India above 12 years of age can become a ham by qualifying in the Amateur Station Operators Licence examination and obtaining a valid license. Those between 12-18 years will have to provide an Undertaking by the parent or guardian in the prescribed format. Applicants above the age of 18 years need not provide such undertaking.

There are two grades of licences: Restricted and General. Examinations are conducted at any of the Wireless Monitoring Stations or International Monitoring Stations. The examination has two parts. Part A is Basic Electronics and Part B Radio Regulations. Restricted Grade examination is for one hour and has 25 questions each while General Grade examinations has 50 questions each and is for 2 hours.

In addition to this, General Grade candidates have to undertake an examination in Transmission and Reception of Morse Code. A candidate can also write both for Restricted and General Grade examinations in the same sitting by paying the fees for both together. Upgradation from Restricted Grade will need passing of the General Grade examination at a later date.

Application for the examination and later for the license after passing the examination are online, through the Saral Sanchar Portal (https://saralsanchar.gov.in/) to get the Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence/Certificate. From a choice three callsigns provided by you, available callsign will be provided. License can be taken for 20 years or Life Long which is up to 80 years of age.

Though there is no need for permission for a temporary change of location of the station as for participation in a hamfest, permanent change of location needs permission from WPC. Application has be be submitted through the Saral Sanchar portal. This is only a brief overview. For more detailed information on Ham Radio regulations in India, please visit the Saral Sanchar portal.

Reference

  1. https://saralsanchar.gov.in/circular/licenses_issued/FAQ_for_HAM.pdf Accessed on 10th January, 2023.