HAMFEST INDIA 2024, the nation’s premier amateur radio convention, concluded on a high note at Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata. Hosted by OSCAR India on December 14 and December 15, 2024, the event welcomed approximately 550 participants across two days, showcasing Kolkata’s legacy as a hub of radio innovation and collaboration.
The event opened with a warm and traditional ceremony, followed by an inspiring inaugural session. Key speakers, including IAS S Suresh Kumar (VU3JWM), Brigadier Jaideep Chanda (VU2YYE), and Dr HR Biswas, set the tone with insightful addresses. Experts from the Department of Telecommunications and Disaster Management Authorities emphasised the importance of HAM radio in global communication and crisis response.
Inspiring Sessions and Hands-On Learning
Throughout the two days, attendees explored diverse topics through panel discussions, technical talks, and hands-on workshops. Highlights included emerging HAM radio trends presented by Steve Chafe (AC6FM) and IoT insights from Ria Jairam (N2RJ). A hands-on antenna-building session captivated participants, teaching them to create functional HF and VHF antennas.
Fox hunting as a potential sport category, proposed by Shri Onkarnath Yadav, Director of the Sports Authority of India, added a unique perspective to the event. Col Prof Sanjay Srivastava, Chairman of CROPC, led an insightful session on 'How Lightning Can Affect the Radio Spectrum,' showcasing the organisation's pioneering role as India's sole advocate for the lightning resilience campaign, aligned with the Prime Minister's Ten-Point Agenda on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).
Meanwhile, Nagaland’s disaster preparedness showcased the integration of HAM radio into emergency response, inspiring new ideas for communication resilience. Contributions from NDRF and other agencies reinforced the importance of HAM radio in crisis communication, while Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay, Vice Chancellor of Sister Nivedita University, highlighted its value in education.
Empowering the Next Generation
Youth engagement was a focal point, with Nilkantha Chatterjee (VU2OII) passionately advocating for introducing amateur radio to students. Mass communication students from colleges like Women’s College Calcutta actively participated, highlighting the relevance of HAM radio in education.
A Grand Conclusion
The event concluded on a high note with the unveiling of Radio Amateurs World (RAW) magazine, a comprehensive resource showcasing innovations, success stories, and HAM radio's role in disaster management and education.
HAMFEST INDIA 2024 celebrated the spirit of community, innovation, and learning, leaving participants excited for the next chapter in this storied tradition.
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