"THE HINDU India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 30, 2004
Hams lend a helping hand.
Amateur ham radio enthusiasts are playing an unusual but important role
in tsunami relief work, reports SHONALI MUTHALALY
When four amateur radio operators headed to the Andaman and Nicobar
islands a few weeks ago, armed with only basic equipment, backpacks and
sun blocks, they had no idea that their fun hobby would soon become the
islands' only lifeline.
"They went because it's a `high value' country for hams (amateur radio
operators) since you need special permission from the Government to
operate there," says Gopal Madhavan, an avid ham and one of the members
of the governing council of the Amateur Radio Society of India. "The
last time a ham operated in the Andamans was about 25 years ago."
The team, which came from across India, left Chennai on December 3 on
their `DXpedition' (basically ham slang for an expedition to any foreign
country). "They met here for a cup of tea before they left... There was
a great amount of enthusiasm," says Gopal, carefully tuning his buzzing
radio, alive with their voices crackling all the way from the islands.
"They went to Port Blair, set up the equipment — all DXpeditions carry
radios and dismantled antennas, which can be set up later with guy
ropes — and contacted about 35,000 hams across the world."
Then, the earthquake began, followed by tidal waves, which swept over
the small islands.
"They were actually in operation when the tremors began. Bharthi, the
team leader, was talking to an Australian on the radio. He says her
voice suddenly rose by a few octaves and she yelled `tremor'. Then, her
radio went dead."
The islands were devastated by the quake and crashing waves. Phones
died, the electricity went out and life in Andaman and Nicobar came to a
stunned halt. On the airwaves too, there was a loud silence, as hams
across the world held their breath, wondering whether the team had
survived. However, about two hours later, unbelievably, they were back
on the air.
"Every other form of communication was down. They were the only link
from the Andamans to the mainland for several hours after the disaster,"
says Gopal, adding that the tsunamis had engulfed the island, paralysing
all machinery and communication systems. The ham radio however, which
was operating from a tower, was in working order, although the team did
have to scavenge for batteries to get it operating again since it had
been running on electricity.
In the tradition of hams, the team stayed on to help, the DXpedition was
converted into an emergency network and hams from across the world,
especially India, swung into action. Two more people headed to the
islands to support the emergency network, and with help from the Indian
Army, which is providing the hams with food, camping and batteries, the
station on Port Blair continues to operate, while another station has
been set up at Car Nicobar, which has been practically obliterated by
the catastrophe."

Dave K8MN