Andamans to host global ham radio operators meet

Experts and enthusiasts of amateur radio communications from at least five countries will participate in an international conference beginning March 6 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

HAMTECH-2015, organised by the National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad, with support from India's department of electronics and information technology, would be held March 6-7 in Port Blair.

"So far we have received confirmation from experts from Germany, US, Switzerland, Nepal, and Bangladesh," said a spokesperson of the organisers.

The conference aims to discuss, deliberate and brainstorm on various issues concerning policy, technology, best practices in emergency communications, and sustainable development models for implementation and their returns in terms of socio-economic development, said a statement from the West Bengal Radio Club (Amateur Club).

Some of the key areas which would be covered include amateur radio for education, empowerment and skill development, amateur radio satellites, and disaster management applications of ham radio.

In addition, interdisciplinary aspects of amateur radio communications such as display and demonstrate on voice, Morse code, visual, internet-related and digital communication technologies would also be showcased.

"It (conference) will highlight the level of competence among hams in the areas of electronics, communications and information technology that can be utilised for economic and scientific development of our country, and also for disaster management," said the release.