MARC joins forces with NITK, MIT Manipal for ARSI National Field Day Contest on St. Mary’s Island

MARC joins forces with NITK, MIT Manipal for ARSI National Field Day Contest on St. Mary’s Island

mangaloretoday.com

Mangaluru, Jan 26, 2024: The Mangaluru Amateur Radio Club (MARC) is thrilled to announce its collaboration with NITK’s SEARCH (System for Emergency Assistance, Response, and Communication Hub), NITK’s Amateur Radio Club Station VU2REC, and MIT Manipal Ham Club (VU2MHC) for the upcoming ARSI (Amateur Radio Society of India) National Field Day Contest scheduled to take place on January 27 and 28, 2024. This collaborative team will establish temporary radio stations on the picturesque St. Mary’s Island, situated off the coast of Malpe, in Udupi.

 

The collective team plans to commence setting up temporary radio stations on January 26. These stations will operate continuously until the afternoon of January 28. Tourists, visitors, and emergency relief personnel can take advantage of the opportunity to witness and understand the setup through demonstrations conducted on-site during these days.

“This exercise, where stations are operated by a team of operators in a location without ready-made facilities such as power or shelter, serves as a significant training opportunity for amateur radio operators and other emergency relief volunteers. It allows them to familiarize, train, and renew their ability to set up and operate an emergency communication setup at short notice and with minimal support facilities,” said SEARCH team coordinator Prof. U Pruthviraj, Associate Professor in charge of Transdisciplinary R&D at NITK.

“Amateur Radio is often a sought-after resource in providing emergency communication during disasters and natural calamities when all other forms of communication may fail. Amateur Radio operators volunteer their stations and services, along with their extensive people’s network worldwide during such scenarios,” said Prof. Dr. K V Gangadharan (call sign VU2TAO), Custodian of NITK Amateur Radio Facility, and also Dean (Planning & Development) at NITK.

“This exercise is also a connection point for ham radio operators globally, resembling a contest that brings together enthusiasts from all corners of the world. It will also provide us with the valuable opportunity to study and understand radio wave propagation along the sea, which is considered very advantageous,” said MARC president Mr. Vishnumurthy (call sign VU2VTI).

About MARC (Mangaluru Amateur Radio Club):

Founded in 1976 by Mr. U. Varadaraya Nayak and Mr. B Mahabala Hegde, MARC is a dedicated amateur radio club based in Mangaluru, India. The club engages in various activities, including amateur radio homebrew, awareness campaigns, and communication support during natural disasters. MARC members actively participate in worldwide contests like CQWW, CQ WPX, Jamboree on the Air (JOTA), and radio fox hunts.

About SEARCH (System for Emergency Assistance, Response & Communication Hub):

SEARCH is a control and command centre in a portable container cabin set up inside the NITK campus in Surathkal near Mangalore. SEARCH represents a pioneering step towards emergency response capabilities for Dakshina Kannada’s coastal areas. It integrates state-of-the-art UHF/VHF/HF radio stations and autonomous aerial/marine vehicles, offering a robust platform for communication and rescue operations. This initiative, born out of a transdisciplinary project led by the CSD (Centre for System Design), NITK Surathkal, aims to redefine the landscape of emergency management. The hub is designed to enhance disaster response and protect the environment, showcasing NITK’s commitment to fostering innovation for the greater good.

In addition to its global engagement, MARC plays a crucial role in disaster management, operating the Disaster Management Repeater of NITK Mangalore on a frequency of 145.425 MHz. This repeater, with the call sign VU2NIW, provides essential coverage to Udupi, Mangaluru, and other cities in Karnataka State, as well as Kannur and Kasaragod in Kerala.

MARC functions in accordance with the Rules of Wireless and Planning and Coordination Wing (WPC) of the Ministry of Communications, Government of India, coordinating license exams in Mangalore and conducting various activities, including relocating base stations during amateur radio events and disasters.