Ham radios that save lives are hard to find

The red-tape between an aspiring ham operator in South Asia and the all precious license is thick enough to put off all but the die hard fans. The situation has killed interest in ham radio - youngsters are turning towards the Internet and other greener pastures for pleasure.

Amateur call

Sri Lanka's amateur radio operators are offering their services to any area that needs communications services.

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Often Hams residing in disaster struck areas are the only link to the outside world.

But the amateur community in Sri Lanka is not getting enough young blood to keep it going partly because getting an amateur radio license is a tedious process, requiring defence clearances, in addition to an examination and licensing by the telecommunications regulatory authorities.