Interview With vu2rbi........

As soon as I finished my studies in Guntur,AP,India, I moved to Hyderabad for a Teachers Job.

My sister and brother in law (vu2my) asked me to become a Ham.

During the 80's there were very few YL's operators in India, so I selected Ham-radio as a hobby as well as my

profession, instead of being a teacher.

Then I received my amateur radio license in 1980 with help of the AP Amateur radio society and later on I applied

different ASOL exams.

Finally I got my Advance Amateur Radio  license from the Ministry of Communications in India.

I have participated in many amateur radio activities like demonstrations, training programs, relief activities,

starting amateur radio clubs in different NGO's and DX-peditions.

Last 27 years I have been working in the National Institute of amateur radio.

I work as a chief coordinator in NIAR and I work for ham radio.

This is now my hobby as well as my profession.

I am also founder member of NIAR. ( please look for full details at:  www.qrz.com )

My institute website is www.niar.org , for more details.

2) What attracted you the most in being a Ham-radio operator?

I am more interested in relief activities during Emergencies.

When I do the relief activities I get satisfaction as a Ham-radio operator.

Second one is DX-peditions, so that I can contact many hams from all over the world.

It is very easy to spread my name and Institute name without any difficulty.

3) What is your favorite mode and/or band?

My favorite frequencies are 14.200 KHz and 21.240 KHz.

But I am also active on 18.130 KHz, where I get lot's of stations responding from all over the world.

4) What equipment do you use?

I am using a FT-1000MP with a Stepp-IR antenna, an all band 2-element yagi.

I also work on Echo link, digital mode communications.

5) Do you hold DXCC and what is the score?

I have not applied for DXCC.

Long time back I applied after my first expedition for DXCC, now I have the certificate for that.

As far as I know I made more than 300 countries and talked to every corner of the world but did not submit for DXCC.

6) What has been your most memorable story related to Ham-radio so far? 

My relief activity during the Tsunami disaster on  the Andaman Islands.

I know that many hams read about my story in different magazines.

7) Do you think CW had it's best time since you don't need it anymore to get a license?

CW is very important in Ham radio and in India CW is still there for ASOL Ham-radio Exams.

I train people who are interest in Ham-radio.

I  teach CW which is very interesting. Now day's I do operate in CW on 14 MHz.

It is a very interesting Ham-radio subject.

8) How would you explain our hobby to someone not familiar with Ham-radio?

Ok, Ham-radio is a hobby and everyone can become a ham-radio operator. Anyone who is interested in Ham-radio, can find many ways to use this instrument in different ways. I never force people to become a Ham-radio operator.

Interest should come from the people their self's.

I do inform people about the use of Ham-radio and inform them about my experiences in Ham-radio.

I have also saved four international hams using Ham-radio in 1984 while there were sailing in a small boat.

My next experience was the Tsunami activity.

9) Do you have other hobby's besides Ham-radio?

My only hobby is Ham-radio, I cannot live without Ham-radio.

10) Any final words to the people reading the interviews?

My final word to readers; those who want to become a Ham-radio operator should serve their own nation during nature calamities. I am sure they get satisfaction in this way in their life's.