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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Amateur Radio for INDIANS

 

WHAT IS AMATEUR RADIO?

Amateur radio is a non-commercial radio communication service. Amateur radio aims to provide emergency public service communication; technical training and experimentation. Amateur radio operators are commonly known as hams. The term “Ham radio” is used to describe the hobby of Amateur radio and not the equipment. Similarly the term “Ham” is used to describe a radio amateur enthusiast and not the equipment.

THE INDIAN WIRELESS TELEGRAPH (AMATEUR SERVICE) RULES, 1978 as amended by The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Service) Amendment Rules, 1984 G.S.R.No.1225/84, Amendment Rules, 2005 – GSR 280(E) dt 1-4-2010

2(a) ” ‘Amateur service’ means a service of self training intercommunications and technical investigation carried on by Amateurs that is, by persons duly authorized under these rules interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest.”

WHO CAN BECOME A HAM?

Any citizen of INDIA who is above 12 years of age can become a ham by qualifying in the Amateurs station operators’ examination (ASO) and obtaining a valid Amateur wireless telegraph station license.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A LICENSE?

You can:

  1. Talk to other hams using voice, Morse code or computers.
  2. Build radios, antennas and learn electronics.
  3. Help in emergencies by providing communications.
  4. Help others become hams.
  5. Participate in contests and field days events.
  6. Participate in transmitter (fox) hunt games.
  7. Transmit and receive pictures.
  8. Experiment with satellite communications.

WHAT CAN’T I DO?

You can’t:

  1. Use it for transacting business.
  2. Cause interference to other hams or radio services.
  3. Use indecent language or profanities.
  4. Broadcast music.
  5. Send messages to or on behalf of non hams.

HOW DO I GET A LICENSE?

You have the pass one of the grades of Amateur station operator’s examination and then apply for the license.

WHAT GRADES OF LICENSE ARE THERE?

There are TWO categories of licenses, namely:

 

(i)   Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence (GENERAL)

(ii)  Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence, (RESTRICTED)

 

FEES FOR THE LICENSES

 

 

Category of licence
  20 YEARS LIFE TIME
(i)   Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence (GENERAL) 

 

 1000.00 2000.00
(ii)   Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence (RESTRICTED) 

 

 1000.00 2000.00

 

WHAT ARE THE ASO EXAMINATIONS LIKE?

If you have passed your high school, then the exam is very easy. Some 12 year olds have passed the exam and obtained a license.

The examinations consist of a written paper and a Morse code test. The written paper consists of two parts, the first on electronics and the second on rules and regulations for amateur service. The Morse test has two parts, the receive and sending test, both at the same speed. Morse pass requirement: Receive without mistakes for 1 minute

Fees for taking the exam:

 

(i)   Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence (GENERAL)……….   Rs. 100.00

(ii)  Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence, (RESTRICTED)…..    Rs. 100.00

More information and Sample papers are available in the Rules section of this site.

WHAT DOES IT COST?

Cost of attending classes for ASO exam depends of the organization conducting classes. Fees are mainly for notes and materials for the classes.

The cost of the radio equipment depends of what you want to do. You can either build your own radio equipment or buy ready manufactured. Ham radio equipment is not made in INDIA so it has to be imported. Due to the poor value of the rupee, you can expect to spend upwards of Rs. 10,000/-. Since our late Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi VU2RG introduced duty concessions, hams equipment is imported under a concessional duty on your ham license. You can build your own equipment for a much smaller amount. Second hand equipment can be bought from hams at a cheap price.

HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER OF ARSI?

Check the Membership section of this site.

HOW DO I AS A FOREIGN NATIONAL OPERATE IN INDIA?

Check the Rules section of this site.

PROCEDURE FOR AMATEUR LICENSE APPLICATION AND RENEWAL?

  • New Application

After you take your ASOC test and get the letter that you have passed, write a letter a letter to

You have to include the following:

  • Copy of the pass certificate
  • Proof of address
  • Proof  of age
  • A demand draft taken ONLY on State Bank of India payable in Delhi in favour of P & A.O (DOT). Rs. 1000.00 for a 20 year license and Rs. 2000.00 for a Life Time License
  • Choice of call signs if you have any, but these days not many are available
  • Enclose a large self addressed envelope with your return address- no stamps required
  • All these to be sent by courier
  • Renewal

For renewal you need the following:

  • A letter from you requesting renewal
  • Copy of original license along with copy of last renewed intimation ( if it has been renewed before)
  • Proof of age
  • Proof of address
  • All payments should be made using the Non Tax Receipt Portal (NTRP).
    Rs. 1000.00 for a 20 year license and Rs. 2000.00 for a Life Time License.
    IMPORTANT:     Please ensure a copy of the online payment receipt is enclosed with your other documents.
  • Enclose a large self addressed envelope with your return address- no stamps required

Note:

  • WPC does not charge any fee for licence renewals beyond 80 years of age. The applicant only needs to submit an application requesting renewal along with a copy of the licence. The licence is then renewed for a period of 10 years.
  • It can be renewed for another 10 years after the licencee completes 90 years of age.

All these to be sent by courier to
Asst. Wireless Advisor to GOI
608 Sanchar Bhavan, 20 Ashoka Road
New Delhi-110 001

For permanent change of QTH: All the above but original license should be enclosed instead of copy