National Science Day 2025 celebrations with Ham Radio Awareness Program at Science College in INDIA

National Science Day 2025
Ham Radio Awareness Program conducted at Shri KV Parekh Science College, Mahuva, Gujarat (INDIA)

Dear Hams,

On the occasion of National Science Day, February 28, 2025, I, Rajesh Vagadia (VU2EXP), had the privilege of conducting a Ham Radio awareness program at the renowned Shri KV Parekh Science College in Mahuva, Gujarat (India). This prestigious institution, established by the founder of the Pidilite Group, played host to an enlightening session on Amateur Radio, coordinated by the Bhavnagar Science Center with the generous support of AMSAT-INDIA and The Amateur Radio Society of India (ARSI).


Venue: KV Parekh College Mahuva, Gujarat (India) for Ham Radio Awareness Program by Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP

Journey to Mahuva and APRS Experiment

My XYL (wife) Kiran Vagadia and I embarked on our journey from Rajkot in the morning, carrying with us a range of Ham Radio equipment for demonstrations. As a live experiment, we utilized Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS-IS) to track our travel progress. Our team member Shyama Vagadia (VU3WHG-10) set up the tracking, allowing students, faculty, and ham community to monitor our movement via the aprs.fi network. This interactive exercise was well received and demonstrated real-time radio tracking capabilities.
below is the link of our APRS tracking;
https://aprs.fi/vu3whg-10

It was the modern-day version of ‘Are we there yet?’—except this time, students and fellow hams could actually see us moving in real-time!


APRS Live Journey Tracking setup done by Shyama Vagadia VU3WHG-10 for KV Parekh Science College Mahuva, Gujarat India

Warm Welcome and Equipment Showcase

Upon arrival at Mahuva, we were warmly greeted by college authorities, faculty members, and enthusiastic students. We set up an elaborate display of Ham Radio equipment, including transceivers, antennas, walkie-talkies, CW keys, oscillators, a Cube Satellite model, SDR dongles, measuring instruments, amateur radio documents, logbooks, licenses, awards, and books for reference. This hands-on exposure helped attendees understand the practical aspects of amateur radio operations.


KV Science College Welcome and Greet Mrs. Kiran Vagadia XYL of VU2EXP

Informative Session and Interactive Presentation

The session commenced with a short video clip from the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) that provided an introductory glimpse into the world of Amateur Radio. Our main presentation covered the rich history of Ham Radio, tracing its evolution and technological advancements from CW to Satellite! Students were particularly fascinated to learn that Ham Radio is the oldest form of social media!

“Before WhatsApp, before Twitter, before Instagram, before even the dial-up internet sound haunted our childhood, Ham Radio operators were already chatting across the globe—without any emoji, instead only smiley icon represented by character HI!”

We introduced our organizations, AMSAT-INDIA and Amateur Radio Society of India and it’s role. We did provided an explanation of Ham Radio's technical workings and it’s operations. Key topics covered included:

• Types of radios / modes and their applications
• Various modes and frequencies used in amateur radio
• Importance of antennas and their different configurations
• Exciting Ham Radio events such as IOTA (Islands on the Air), Hilltop operations, Lighthouse activations, JOTA (Jamboree on the Air), POTA (Park on the Air), etc
• Usage of RST System, Ham terminology, Q-Codes, abbreviations, and callsign country prefixes
• The procedure for obtaining a Ham Radio license, syllabus, and study resources

We also highlighted modern advancements in the field, such as; Moon Bounce (EME), Satellite Communications (LEO, MEO, GEO), APRS, Tracking High Altitude Balloon (HAB), HF weak signal modes for challenging conditions, repeater usage, Nets, and the thrill of Contesting.


Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP conducts Ham Radio Awareness Program during National Science Day


More than 100 Students learn about Amateur Radio - Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP Introduce about AMSAT-INDIA, ARSI and other prestigious organisations

The Power of RTL-SDR for Non-Hams

It was exciting aspect for students how anyone can explore the radio spectrum using an RTL-SDR dongle, without requiring a Ham Radio license. With this affordable device, students are encouraged to experiment to;

• Listen to Amateur Radio conversation & OSCAR Satellite downlinks
• Receive NOAA Weather Satellite real time images
• Track aircraft via ADS-B
• Monitor ISS communications / Voice repeater
• Receive SSTV Images from ISS

“Who needs Netflix when you can explore the airwaves!”


Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP featured his Portable Satellite Ground Station during Ham Radio Program at Mahuva


Curious Students learning from exhibited Radio Stuff Displayed by Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP team

Special ARISS Audio Clip and Live VHF Demonstration

A particularly inspiring moment came when we played a recorded audio clip from the ARISS student outreach program, where my daughter Sakshi Vagadia (VU3EXP) had a live telebridge conversation with astronaut Sunita Williams KD5PLB aboard the International Space Station on November 14, 2012. The students were thrilled to witness the real-world impact of Ham Radio in space communications. (YouTube link: Click Here)



To give students hands-on experience, we conducted a live VHF demonstration. Dividing participants into three groups, we enabled them to communicate using Ham Radio terminology. The excitement among students and faculty was evident as they pressed the PTT button and spoke over the radio for the first time!


First Group amongst three lead by Harshad Joshi Sir for Live VHF Demo guided by Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP

Encouraging Future Participation

The event concluded with very positive feedback and a vote of thanks delivered over the radio by college teachers and Shri Harshad Joshi Sir. A notable outcome of the session was the overwhelming interest shown by students and faculty in establishing an amateur radio club on campus. We assured our support in guiding them through the process.


Group Photo of VU2EXP & Team, Faculties & Students after conclusion of Ham Awareness Program at Mahuva

Visit to Jegri Island Lighthouse

After the event, we took the opportunity to visit the picturesque Jegri Island Lighthouse, located just 11 km away. Surrounded on three sides by the sea, this magnificent 30-meter-high square masonry tower, adorned with 4 black and white bands, left us mesmerized.

Standing at the Jegri Island Lighthouse, surrounded by the sea, I couldn’t help but think—what a perfect place for my possible 3rd lighthouse activation! I hope to return here to activate this lighthouse under the International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend (ILLW) program.


Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP and Kiran Vagadia at beautiful Jegri Island Lighthouse at coast of Mahuva - Gujarat - India.

Conclusion

With a total journey spanning 550 km in a day, this was a rewarding experience dedicated to educating young minds about the fascinating world of Ham Radio on National Science Day. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Shri BK Parekh Science College, Bhavnagar Science Center, AMSAT-INDIA, ARSI, and all those who contributed to making this event a success. A special thanks to my XYL, Kiran Vagadia, for her constant support throughout the program.

73,
Rajesh P. Vagadia - VU2EXP
Rajkot - Gujarat
Regional Coordinator for;
● AMSAT-INDIA
● The Amateur Radio Society of India
Email: vu2exp [at] gmail [dot] com
www.qrz.com/db/vu2exp

 

Congratulations VU2EXP, you never disappoint in outreach activities!

 

Great stuff!

 

Thank you so much Xitij VU2JEB for all your support. I might get opportunity to have Ham event in Anand for Amul group! Shall invite you as a guest.
Will be in touch with you.
thank you,
73
Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP
Rajkot - Gujarat

 

Thank you NATHAN L COHEN W1YW for your encouragement, I am still learning and sharing my limited knowledge amongst students community.
I gone through your qrz profile, its just amazing, wealth of stuff found over there, glad to know you keep interest in multiple hobbies including Astronomy, Music etc along with our primary Ham Radio Hobby, Keep it up Nathan to enjoy it!
73
Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP
Rajkot - Gujarat

 

Great job once again Rajesh. Well done!

 

Thank you Jon, we all are trying our best to promote our hobby, your YouTube channel is also quite informative.
Thank you once again dear.
73
Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP
Rajkot Gujarat

 

Rajesh - Excellent promotion & presentation for Amateur radio awareness in Gujarat.
Keep it up.

Paresh
VE3PQX (VU2PQX)

 

Hello Pareshji VE3PQX,
Am glad to receive your appreciation. It was a small effort from my home team to popularize ham radio in the region. Am eager to continue for many more such awareness events. Also I am fortunate to get support from AMSAT-INDIA and ARSI too.
Your qrz profile is very interesting, keep enjoying hamming in VE & VU Land too.
73
Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP
Rajkot Gujarat

 

Many young and sharp minds in that Building !
Namaste !
KH6/G3SEA

 

Thank you so much
Aloha KH6/G3SEA.
73

 

Thank you for the great write up! Looks like you had quite the array of demos that spans the gamut of ham radio. Its no wonder these students were so excited. Thank you for all that you do there!

73
de KV0N

 

Thanks a ton Raman KV0N for boosting our confidence and appreciating our small efforts to promote our hobby. I am pleased to view your ham journey at your qrz profile, I found a very appropriate quote you mentioned;
"The best part of amateur radio is that is that nothing can stop RF - not mountains, not political borders, not languages"... well said dear.
The world seems to be quite small & we found it like a close family!
Take care.
73
Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP
Rajkot Gujarat

 

Hello,
I have never seen a VU call sign on FT4 or FT8 in years. Do you allow that operation in INDIA?
Thank you,
Sam KY8R