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AussieWinlink Welcomes First PMBO in IndiaESTABLISHMENT OF WINLINK PMBO VU2GMN Gopal (VU2GMN) writes: “The tsunami made a lot of us realize how ham radio contributes to effective coordination of disaster relief operations. The phone lines, where they worked, were jammed with people making anxious calls. The same applied with the cell phone network. Though the tsunami itself did not lead to the physical breakdown of these systems in India, they just stopped functioning because of system overload.” He continues: “Providentially, there were visiting hams on a DXpedition on the seriously affected and remote Andaman Islands. These hams went into emergency mode straightaway. I was one of many hams in India who kept a listening watch for hours and broke in and assisted when some stations could not establish contact. The location of my station on the east coast of India was advantageous and the radio and antenna setup good for providing this support.” The contribution made by the hams to the disaster relief operations was covered in considerable detail in the media and articles that appeared in India. These articles were picked by syndicated columnists and so some of the Indian call signs, including VU2GMN, became well known in a very short time (See “World Radio” June 2005.)
The tsunami was the trigger for Tony (VK1VM/KN4VM), the founder of www.aussiewinlink.org, to once again repeat his call seeking support for the establishment of more Winlink Participating Mail Box Offices (PMBO) to join the amateur digital communication network called Winlink2000 (WL2K) in Australia, the Pacific and Asia. The significance of digital communications is that large volumes of written text and graphics can be transmitted error free over great distances reasonably fast. Tony’s appeal was sent to all amateur radio organizations in Region 3 of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) and was therefore received also by Chandru (VU2RCR). Chandru, is the President of the Amateur Radio Society of India (ARSI). He immediately posted the message on the ARSI’s electronic Bulletin Board with the invitation for interested hams to come forward with an interest in setting up a WL2K PMBO in India. Because of its geographically strategic location a Winlink PMBO in India would cover a significant gap in the Winlink network in the large triangle with corners in Western Australia (Phil - VK6KPS); South Africa (Joost – ZS5S); and the Middle East (Jabor, Murali, Abdul - A71BY).
Gopal continues: “Since I already had two Kantronics modems, I thought it would be a breeze to set up a WL2K PMBO and get on the air! So I volunteered and that was the start of the story. However, I did also mention that as a retired person, I would be unable to fork out any substantial sums for the project. I was told politely that my Kams would not handle Pactor 3, which because of its faster speed and greater reliability was essential. I was also told that my trusty Yaesu FT-847 would be lacking in what it takes for a good digital node radio.” It was than that the international goodwill among amateur radio operators sprung into action. A European group that was interested in providing support in the tsunami aftermath also published the appeal. In a short time American, Australian and European amateur radio interests and Indian friends, collectively, assisted in mobilizing equipment including a second hand but perfect Kenwood TS-570D transceiver, a secondhand but well functioning SCS Pactor Digital Modem supporting also Pactor III, and radio cables. A supporter even paid for part of the shipping cost of the equipment to India. All this support came from donors who wish to remain anonymous. The modem was sent from Europe by Certified Air Post but it landed in Madras among thousands of gift parcels from around the world for tsunami relief. It took a very long time for the modem to be delivered and there were anxious days when we thought it may have been lost. However, eventually it arrived safe but unfortunately with the wrong cable. The 13-pin DIN connector required for the Kenwood was not available in India and so another donor sent the correct cable which arrived very quickly. The Winlink Development Team, through its Administrator - Steve (K4CJX), loaded Gopal’s dedicated computer by remote control with all the necessary and freely provided software that is needed to operate a PMBO. Gopal himself set up dipole antennas for 80, 40 and 20 M and with that being completed WL2K PMBO VU2GMN was ready to get on the air.
The big day was Saturday, 23 April 2005. This was St. Georges Day and also the birthday of Gopal’s older son Prakash’s (VU2MDP/ EI4HY). Gopal is well supported by his family and both sons are licensed amateur radio operators. Sanjay (VU2SJD), the younger son, who is into computers and software development, helps his old man when things get sticky and the PC acts up. Gopal reports: “I have had many messages from hams sailing around SE Asia that the PMBO is doing a good job filling a much needed vacuum in the geographical area. There is plenty of activity on the PMBO and I am sure it will increase as its presence is known to all.” He concludes: “Many thanks to all who made this happen and hopefully the VU2GMN PMBO will provide a much needed service. I am personally enjoying it and planning to get a BushCom 100 multiband antenna as the dipoles are messy to deal with. Marc Robinson (VK2BUA), out of Sydney, Australia is assisting me to get hold of one. When I do, I can perhaps expand my service by scanning more frequencies, if required.” AussieWinlink Article "The Indian Amateur Radio Experience" in World Radio June 2005 Click here > World Radio on India |
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