Radio Sri Lanka to stop using 7190 kHz

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The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) have ceased operating on the 7190kHz amateur radio frequency from 1st June 2013.

As per the latest schedules, this 10 kW transmitter was used at 0645 to 0900 IST for broadcasts to South India.

7190 kHz has been used for decades by SLBC for broadcasts to South India in various languages and at various times.The old timers may remember that at one time Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation was the most powerful station in Asia and very popular in India (no TV then!) and this 7190 kHz was their best frequency for listeners in South India..

7100 to 7200 kHz was issued to broadcasting stations in Region III till a few years back and then re-issued to Radio Amateurs. While the other broadcasting stations vacated that frequency segment, Sri Lanka Corporation continued to broadcast on 7190 kHz till yesterday.

In fact, SLBC is closing down that old Short Wave transmitter site at Ekala and has transferred their services to another transmitter site at Trincomalle using other frequencies from today June 1, 2013.

The new schedule of SLBC to India from June 2013 is

  • 0645-0743  IST  11905 kHz (Bengali/Tamil/Hindi)
  • 0745-0900  IST 9770 kHz (English)
  • 1645-1745  IST 9770 kHz  (Malayalam etc.)

Awareness drive to revive ham radio

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The Indian Institute of Hams is seeking to expand its base of amateur radio users, especially targeting youths, which it believes will help during times of emergency

“The institute on Sunday began its awareness drive in association with the Institution of Engineers (India). Later in the month, it will hold a two-day workshop wherein new members who want to experiment with ham radio will be trained and recruited as ham radio enthusiasts.”

“The institute, which is keeping the tradition of communicating with amateur radio enthusiasts across the world alive, will hold the workshop on 15 and 16  June at the Institution of Engineers (India), Mysore. During the awareness event, the institute director Shankar Sathyapal VU2FI pointed out that with the penetration of internet, ham radio can be used to connect to multiple operators.”

More information - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Awareness-drive-to-revive-ham-radio/articleshow/20399865.cms

Indian Institute of Hams - http://www.indianhams.com/

VHF Radio Hams missing

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The South African Relay League (SARL) reports that amateur radio VHF operation is on the decline.

There was a time when there were many reports about VHF activities on the SARL VHF Forum and more than a hundred amateurs would read a new post, or interesting news could appear on the VHF Mailman list.

Ever since the heavy rains last year there was a noticeable drop in VHF activity. Is this another "Mayan" prediction of the end of the radio amateur world and it disappearing like the dodo? Hopefully not!

There are many dedicated and highly experienced VHF old-timers out there and we need your input to encourage the younger generation to carry on where you left off, and advance amateur radio into the future world of SDR type equipment, digital data/voice modes and space communications.

There is an exciting new world of amateur radio waiting out there for the computer literate young radio amateurs, and many new discoveries to be made in the VHF, UHF and Microwave spectrum.

SARL - http://www.sarl.org.za/