Ham radio - wonderful hobby of mine

Amateur radio is a wonderful passion of mine. Apart from a hobby, these radio operators come handy in situations of emergencies like natural calamities when the conventional communication is disrupted. Contacting a station far off with out the help of any other network is the interesting thing in this hobby.

For setting up a radio station and operating a person require licence called amateur radio operator licence. This is issued by the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC), Ministry of Communication, Government of India. 

The examination is simple. You need to know basic electronics and radio theory. Morse code is optional. Morse code is communication using dot and dash. After clearing the exam the person can apply to WPC for the licence. Every operator will be identified by an unique call sign, for example, mine is VU3BUN. 

Shall write more about it in coming days.

Bye for now.

73 de manu

Rain, again in manipal

Monsoon started as expected and long awaited, after a horrible summer, here in Manipal. My baby is very much scared about the thunder and lightning, so does her mother. I was busy with getting my old umbrellas repaired. Basically wanted to save money, in view of current inflation rates. Kids no nothing about economics. Hence the little one by her perseverance procured a new colourful and funny umbrella. I am very much haunted by the nasty smell that will come from my shoe during this monsoon time. So new pair of rain shoes is also to be bought. Drying clothes will be another nightmare, though we were successful till this day in that matter.

The flat where I am staying have one more problem. In the heavy wind, the window glass may fly down and shatter causing a mess. I am scared that it may injure somebody.

The Financial Expert- R K Narayan

Mr. R K Narayan is really a fabulous writer. He clearly depicts a villager's life in this Novel. The story revolves round Mr. Margayya who helps people in filling up forms for getting loans from the co-operative bank. The bank officials objected his deeds and he was forced to find some other business. Based on village priest's advise he observes penance to please goddess Lakshmi. He pampers his only son Balu. Incidentally he meets Dr. Pal who is a sociologist and journalist, who gave him a manuscript to publish. Margayya becomes rich with the money obtained by the publication. Balu was very bad at studies, fights with his father and run away. Margayya starts a bank on his own, which grew in business day by day. Balu was brought back home and his marriage was done. Balu joins with Dr. Pal and get in to habits which require money, which forces him to ask for his share of property. Son and father fights among themselves and the feud between Dr. Pal and Margayya ruins his bank. The book is very descriptive and you feel like reading cover to cover.

back again

I am back again after a long gap. Raining heavily here. I tried to do some exercise. During rain your outdoor activities are restricted and you confine to your cocoon. Walking in rain is really fantastic. If you don't have an umbrella then it will be even memorable. I took my umbrella so that my wife wont say no to my venture. Rain is really marvellous, waxing and waning, even stopping for a while only to retaliate heavily. Puddles, streams, noises of flowing water are all feast for eyes. I even saw a small water fall. My trouser got wet, but I continued with enthusiasm, like a small kid. I felt greatly relaxed, particularly after a hectic day in office. When I finished my voyage 45 minutes already were over, with out my notice. Thanks rain for giving me a good exercise, hope I shall sleep soundly tonight.

Alcoholism and ....

hi,
I was traveling back from Ernakulam, after leaving my family, in Garib Rath, new low cost train with 5 star facilities, thanks to Laloo. I slept off as soon as I got in. I was made to get up by the shouting in to the mobile phone, typical mallu way of talking, by two, no three businessmen, who represent the middle class Malappuram entrepreneurs, who were on there business trip to Goa. They have to fix a deal. Buy a Toyota Innova, highest version, for their friend who is churning out money from Gulf. I tried to ignore them, but could not.
They had several bottles of mineral water with them to quench their thirst. One bottle of sprite also among the lot. Next to us were two couples, newly married?, honeymooners?, who were playing romantic songs in Hindi. One of the businessman, young fellow, was trying to befriend with one girl, among the two. Common interest, which I felt was music. The girl was really responding to his queries, unaware of his intentions.
The person, whom I am talking about, started drinking constantly from the bottles. I slept off again. When I woke up the girl was lying down on her ?husband's lap caressing him. Our poor businessman was ogling at her from our side. He walks at times near the couple and return to his seat and continue his current business. In between he was passing dirty comments at the girl which is friend also shared and contributed. He was acting as if he is a stud waiting to copulate. I felt very miserable, but was really incapacitated to do any thing, in view of the businessman's physical capabilities.
Before drinking the magic potion the person was sober. Once the thing started running through his veins, he transformed into a monster, a maniac, a pervert. He didn't care that he is making nuisance to the couple in public place which is against the rule. I blame that girl too, who provoked him by doing intimate acts in a place like train.
I pity the youth, even though I am one among the group (which I believe), for these irresponsibilities. Take care of yourself while traveling, particularly in train. Please don't think and as if it is your bedroom. Never try sexually provocative advances in public transport system, I know some are obsessed with.

Fox hunt in Manipal

Don't think that this is actual hunt for fox. Our ham club organised this interesting competition. I could not sleep due to excitement. Afternoon I met Mr. Mahabala Hegde, a senior ham from Surathkal, along with my friend Mr. Devdas Bhat. After lunch we went to his house to get our equipments. We proceeded to our hide out in his car. Eventhough he is nearing 70, Mr. Hegde, was happy and enthusiastic. He could manage different languages, even malayalam, which is my mother tongue. He is a retired bank manager.
We reached our hide out, what we call is the fox hole and started assembling various equipments. Hunters were 10 groups, each having 3 members. They have to use the antenna and the reciever to trace us.
We started transmitting, which according to Mr. Hegde, was the first howl. In every 5 minutes interval he was transmitting howls and speaking some words which they should copy. Time passed by. Mr. Bhat took out his SLR camera and started his second hobby, photography. They were transmitting in both high and low power. I tried to listen to the transmission using 2 meter hand held radio.

The teams were given grace period and in the end the hide out was disclosed. The first team we met were given hand shake. The students really enjoyed the whole exercise.
Ham radio is a really interesting hobby. But now less people are using it because of advancements in internet, like instant messenger, emails etc.
When we met the group, as a token of appreciation, they gave all 3, fantastic mementos.
Please visit my picasa web album on fox hunt.
http://picasaweb.google.com/manumohan73/FoxHunt#

Murudeshwar - must see

Kollur Mookambika temple visit got over early. We decided to move further north to our next location Murudeshwar. From kollur we reached Byndoor located on NH17. After that came Bhatkal and then Murudeshwar. From NH we took a left turn towards the sea.
A strip of land protected by rock project in to the sea. A temple is located at the foot of the hill and over the top is the Lord Shiva statue which is the land mark of this tourist location.
Sorrounding the area, near the sea is the RNS hotel. On the hill at different areas various other statues, like, Sun, Krishna and Arjuna in the chariot, Ganesha being taught by hermit, etc.
Bhukailasa is located underneath the Shiva statue which gives you really marvellous peice of art, and information regarding the myth behind this temple.
I personally feel that those who visit this place should stay for one day and enjoy the stay, with fantastic view of the beautiful arabian sea.