What you HAM Radio shack must have
- Log Book
- Your original ASOC License
- A copy of the Wireless Telegraph Act and amendments
- A copy of the Amateur Service Rules and Proforma of Application Forms
- Register for wireless telegraphy apparatus (Annexure VI)
- Frequency Measuring Equipment (if not included in your Transreceiver)
- Map of CQ Zones and ITU Zones for HF communication
- Map of Call-sign prefixes for HF communication
Travelling with an IRCTC E-Ticket on Indian Railways
IRCTC now allows you to travel even without a physical copy / print-out / hard-copy of your e-ticket.
As per this circular, with effect from 1-Feb-2012, you can now board any train along with:
- A Valid Photo Identity
- Either a soft copy of your ticket / an SMS from the IRCTC website on your mobile phone / hard copy print-out of your ticket.
The soft-copy can be shown to the ticket checker on any device including a Mobile Phone, Laptop, Tablet, Palmtop etc.
This means that you do not necessarily need a paper print-out of your ticket. You will not be charged the existing penalty of Rs. 50/- for not having the print-out of the e-ticket.
To get a soft-copy of your IRCTC e-ticket, you can either:
- Use a PDF Printer as explained in this article: How to download, save or print an E-Ticket from the IRCTC.co.in website to a PDF file or
- Take a screenshot of the ticket by pressing the "Print Screen" button on your keyboard and then pasting the screenshot into any image editing software.
How to apply to the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing (Department of Telecomm.) for renewal of your Amateur Radio (ASOC) License
The following steps will help you to apply to WPC for renewal of your Amateur Station Operator's license.
Step 1:
In the following draft, you only need to replace the details in green with your details.
Renewal of Amateur Radio License for WPC
Step 2:
Make a Demand Draft drawn only through State Bank of India in favour of PAO (HQ), DoT, New Delhi - Payable at New Delhi, Service Branch No. 7687
- Rs. 1000 (for 20 years renewal) or
- Rs. 2000 (for lifetime renewal)
Refer to this guide for help on making the DD.
Step 3:
- Application for License Renewal
- Demand Draft of Rs. 1000 or Rs. 2000 with your name, callsign and License No. written behind.
- 2 Identical Passport Size Photographs (with your name, callsign and License No. written behind them)
- Copy of your ASOC License and Renewal Slips
- Proof of age (Copy of Birth Certificate etc.)
All the above must be sent to:
The Assistant Wireless Advisor to Govt. of India,
Ministry of Communication & Information Technology,
Department of Telecommunications (DoT), (WPC Wing),
Amateur Section, 6th Floor, Room No. 616 / 619, Sanchar Bhavan,
Parliament Street, NEW DELHI – 110 001.
Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) for Dummies
What is the Internet Protocol?
Simply put, the Internet Protocol is a method which is used by computers to connect with each other to receive and transmit information.
An appropriate analogy would be like that of a telephone exchange system, where each subscriber has their unique telephone number, which can be used by others to contact them. Your computers IP Address is exactly like your telephone number, i.e. it is a unique number for connecting to your computer.
What is IPv4?
IPv4 is the current version of the Internet Protocol which we are using. An IPv4 address looks like 111.222.333.444
IPv4 uses a 32-bit address in the forms of 4 octets which allows the use of upto 4 billion unique addresses.
What is IPv6?
IPv6 is the latest version of the Internet Protocol. It is a different numbering system, which can accomodate many more subscribers. An IPv6 address looks like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334
IPv4 uses a 32-bit address in the forms of 4 octets which allows the use of upto 4 billion unique addresses.
What happened to the other versions of IP?
How is it differnet from IPv4?
IPv4 and IPv6 comparison
Point of Difference |
IPv4 |
IPv6 |
| More unique addresses |
So whats the problem with IPv4?
The problem is something similar to the Y2K bug, which had not provisioned for the change in the digits of the year at the change of the millenium.
The IPv4 numbering system is running out of numbers to give to people.
Something similar to the Phone Numbering System in Mumbai by MTNL.
About 30 years back, it was only 6 digits Eg. 222 000
Then they changed the numbering pattern to 282 000
Then they added a 2 at the beginning of all numbers, making it 7 digits and in the example 2 282 000
Then they changed the number by adding a 2 after the exchange code which made the number 8 digits like 2 282 2 000
Even after this, some changes were made in some areas, but it has remained fairly similar thereafter.
In the same way, to allow each internet enabled device to have its own unique number to identify it on the internet, the new IPv6 system was innovated.
What do I need to do to become IPv6 ready?
- Upgrade the software in your router and networking hardware
- Replace your networking hardware which is not IPv6 compliant
- Upgrade your browsers with a browser that can handle IPv6 as well as remain backward compatible with IPv4.
Tools to test your IPv6 readiness:
Gazetted Officers
At various times in our life, we need to hunt for Gazetted Officers, to attest our mark sheets and academic or financial documents.
This article gives you a brief idea of whom you can approach for the attestation.
-----THE DOCUMENT IS FOR REFERENCE ONLY. PLEASE RE-CHECK YOUR REQUIREMENTS AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE PERSON WHOM YOU ARE GETTING THE DOCUMENTS ATTESTED FROM. THIS ARTICLE IS BEING CONSTANTLY UPDATED.----
Who is a gazetted officer?
What authority does the gazetted officer have?
List of Gazetted Officers:
Organisation |
Gazetted Officer |
|
Educational Insitutes |
|
|
Defence |
|
|
Police |
Refer to this page to identify a gazetted police officer by his shoulder insignia.
|
|
Medical Officers |
|
|
Administrative / Executive Officers |
|
|
Scientific Officers |
|
|
Municipality |
|
Indian Postal Order for RTI Application
What is an Indian Postal Order?
An Indian Postal Order is a useful way of sending and receiving small amounts of money from / to any corner of India.
The Indian Postal Order is especially useful in making payments for an application under the Right to Information Act, to make a payment to the Authority you are seeking information from.
This article will help you understand how to purchase, fill and submit the Postal Order, along with your RTI Application.
Where is the Indian Postal Order available for purchase?
The IPO can be purchased from any Head or Sub-Post Office in India or any post office specially authorized for this purpose. This includes Army Post Offices.
You can also search for a post office through this link: http://www.indiapost.gov.in/Pin/
What are the denominations available for purchase?
The IPO is available in 6 denominations. You need to pay a commission amount on the IPO's purchased by you.
- Rs. 0.50
- Re. 1
- Rs. 2
- Rs. 5
- Rs. 7
- Rs. 10
- Rs. 20
- Rs. 50
- Rs. 100
Commission Rates:
- upto Rs. 10 = Re. 1
- upto Rs. 20 = Rs. 2
- upto Rs. 30 = Rs. 3
- upto Rs. 40 = Rs. 4
- upto Rs. 50 = Rs. 5
- upto Rs. 100 = Rs. 10
What details are to be written on the IPO?
You need to fill in:
- Name of the Payee (person to whom the payment is to be made)
- Office of Payment (Post Office which is most convenient to the Payee. If not known then district, town or city maybe specified. It is not mandatory to put this in, but is useful if the IPO is lost)
For how long is the IPO valid?
The IPO is valid for a period of 6 months.
The 6 month period is calculated from the last date of the month in which it was issued.
Eg: If the IPO was issued on 5-Jan-2011, then it will be valid for 6 months from 31-Jan-2011.
The IPO can be renewed beyond this period of 6 months, for an additional 6 months, by paying the commission amount due on it.
How can I encash the postal order?
The IPO must be within the duration specified above, it must contain the payees name and the Post Office name.
To encash the valid postal order, it must be presented at the counter of the Post Office mentioned, by the payee himself.
Can I cancel the IPO?
Yes. You can return the IPO to the same Post Office from where it was issued. You will get a refund of the entire amount of the IPO, not the commission amount.
QFH (Quadrifilar Helix Antenna) for NOAA Satellite monitoring
This article is under construction.
Why is the QFH used?
- Same QFH Antenna on the NOAA satellite, means same directivity (omni-directional) / polarization (circular) = better reception
- Circularity is great in any direction. It covers horizon to horizon.
- http://jcoppens.com/ant/qfh/calc.en.php
How to apply to the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing (Department of Telecomm.) for a correction in your Amateur Radio License
The following steps will help you to apply to WPC for a correction in your Amateur Station Operator's license, incase your license contains a significant spelling mistake, typo or information error.
Step 1:
Write the application letter or use the below mentioned draft letter.
In the following draft, you only need to replace the details in green with your details.
WPC DoT Amateur License Correction Application
All the above must be sent to:
The Assistant Wireless Advisor to Govt. of India,
Ministry of Communication & Information Technology,
Department of Telecommunications (DoT), (WPC Wing),
Amateur Section, 6th Floor, Room No. 616 / 619, Sanchar Bhavan,
Parliament Street, NEW DELHI – 110 001.
Practical differences between AM and FM
| Amplitude Modulation | Frequency Modulation |
|---|---|
| easier to implement | |
|
very susceptible to various weather conditions that deteriorate and distort the signal
|
most environmental factors that distort radio waves only affect its amplitude and not the frequency where FM stores the actual voice signal |
| stereo sound not easy to implement | ability to send out two channels of information at the same time with the use of advanced algorithms |
| AM waves can be refracted in the atmosphere resulting in greater range | FM signals usually drop of at around 50 miles from the station |
| Ideal for talk radio | Ideal for stereo quality music |
| Using sound as an analogy, this would be like changing the volume | Using sound as an analogy, this would be like changing the pitch -- like playing different keys on a piano |
Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing (WPC) Department of Telecom (DoT) Amendment for Amateur Radio Operations in India
Summary of Amendments made to rules applicable for Amateur Radio Operations in India.
Guidelines and clarification with respect to:
- Indian Wireless Telegraph (Amateur Service) Amendment Rules, 2009 dated 1st April, 2010 and
- Indian Wireless Telegraph (Amateur Service) Amendment Rules, 2005 dated 9th June, 2005
| Sr. No. | Category | Existing Rules | Amended Rules |
| 1. | Licenser categories | 1. Adv. Grade 2. Gr. I 3. Gr. II 4. Gr. II (R) 5. SWL |
1. General 2. Restricted |
| 2. | Examination Fee | Rs.10 (Rest. & Gr. II), Rs. 20(Gr. - I), Rs. 25 (Adv. Gr.) |
Rs. 100/- for each grade |
| 3. | Period of Validity | 2 years initial / 5 years renewal | 20 years initial / lifetime renewal |
| 4. | Licence Fee | Rs. 25 (Rest. & Gr. II), Rs. 40 (Gr. I), Rs. 50 (Adv. Gr.) for 2 years ----------------------------------- Rs. 60 (Rest.& Gr.lI), Rs. 40 (Gr.-I), Rs. 50 (Adv. Gr.) for 5 years |
Rs.1000/- for 20 years intially ------------------------ Rs. 2000/- for lifetime renewal for each grade |
| 5. | Renewal | Rs. 25 (Rest. & Gr. II), Rs. 40 (Gr. I), Rs. 50 (Adv. Gr.) for 2 years ----------------------------------- Rs. 60(Rest.& Gr.lI), Rs. 40 (Gr.-I), Rs. 50 (Adv. Gr.) for 5 years |
Rs. 1000/- for 20 years ---------------------- Rs. 2000/- for lifetime for each grade |
| 6. | Period of late renewal and surcharge | 5 Years Limit ----------------------------------- Rs. 10/- for every half year |
5 Years Limit ---------------------- Rs. 100/- for every half year or part thereof |
| 7. | Fee for change of location | Rs. 5/- | Rs. 200/- |
| 8. | Fee for mobile endorsement | Rs. 10/- | Rs. 200/- |
| 9. | Fee for issue of duplicate license | Rs. 10/- | Rs. 100/- |
| 10. | Fee for issue of duplicate renewal license slip | Rs. 5/- | Rs. 100/- |
