Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 30: Mangaluru Amateur Radio Club (MARC), NITK’s System for Emergency Assistance, Response, and Communication Hub (SEARCH), NITK’s Amateur Radio Club Station VU2REC, and MIT Manipal Ham Club (VU2MHC) joined forces during the ARSI National Field Day Contest on January 27 and 28. Over 20 Hams from Mangaluru and Udupi facilitated communication with a remarkable 2000 global ham operators.
They successfully established temporary five distinct radio stations, each equipped with specialized antennas tailored to diverse communication needs. These stations operate seamlessly around the clock, providing a robust platform for connecting with international ham radio operators.
The collaborative effort unfolded on St Mary's Island, situated off the coast of Malpe, where temporary radio stations were set up starting from January 26. Operations ran continuously until the afternoon of January 28. During this period, on-site demonstrations were conducted for tourists, visitors, and emergency relief personnel, attracting more than 1000 visitors eager to witness the ham radio activities.
“Returning to the island after 23 years was a personal rejuvenation. Despite my age, I navigated minimal facilities, made luxurious by a larger ham radio team. Radio wave propagation was less favorable now due to seasonal variations and solar cycle dependency. Despite technological advances, contacts were 60% of those two decades ago. Adapting to digital modes, we enjoyed two fulfilling days with energetic ham radio peers on the stunning island,” said Srikanth, a resident of Manipal and active ham radio operator who took part in this event.
He further stated, “This year's ARSI's National Field Day drew a record-breaking 77 participants, highlighting a growing interest in field setups. Due to lower voice/telephony traffic, the focus shifted to digital modes. With a larger team, efforts were made to showcase Ham Radio to around a thousand visitors. Despite litter issues, 50 NSS volunteers from MIT Manipal collaborated to clean the island and raise awareness, bridging technical activities with environmental responsibility.”
The presence of a first aid facility is critical for ensuring a rapid and effective response to medical emergencies during this event. A student who suffered minor injuries at the event received immediate medical assistance, and first aid measures were administered during this event.
The initiative attracted attention from educational institutions, drawing the participation of over 30 students from the National Institute of Technology Suratkal and 60 students from Manipal Institute of Technology who observed the operations closely. On the concluding day, a commendable endeavor was undertaken by more than 60 students, comprising NSS representatives from MIT Manipal, under the leadership of Balakrishna Madodi, to clean St Mary's Island. This highlighted the community's strong dedication to environmental stewardship.