Amateur radio is a radio sport!

The "Amateur Radio Training" program was organized by the Emergency and Disaster Management Program of Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services (SHMYO). Zeynel Meriç, a Class A Licensed Amateur Radio Operator and Head of TRAC Adalar Branch, attended the program as a guest. Within the scope of the program, which addressed the technical foundations of radio communication and its vital importance during disasters, participants had the opportunity to experience radio communication through practical exercises.

The program, held in the Çarşı Campus Beylerbeyi hall, was moderated by Instructor Esad Sadık Demirtaş, Head of the Emergency and Disaster Management Program. SHMYO Director Asst. Prof. Ömer Faruk Karasakal, academics, and students attended the program, which comprehensively discussed the historical development, technical infrastructure, and amateur radio activities of radio communication.

"Amateur radio is a radio sport"

Emphasizing that amateur radio is a non-commercial, experimental, and hobby-based activity, Zeynel Meriç stated that this field has a constantly evolving dynamic structure. Meriç said, "Amateur radio is actually entirely a hobby. We call it 'radio sport.' The goal is to communicate over different frequencies with the farthest possible distances and to constantly develop new methods in this process." Meriç stated that experience and continuous development are important in radio communication.

Plays a critical role in disaster situations!

Drawing attention to Turkey's high disaster risk, Meriç emphasized the vital importance of communication during crises. Meriç stated that GSM infrastructure can become inadequate due to congestion during disaster situations and mentioned that amateur radio operators voluntarily step in at this point. Meriç said, "In situations like disasters, you can't learn anything without initial communication. That's why communication is of critical importance. Amateur radio operators now do this voluntarily. Amateur radio operators instinctively immediately go to the district or provincial disaster emergency directorates in their locations, go to hospital emergency services, go to 112 command centers, or go to local police stations and provide communication between that place and another. Because we know which frequency to talk on, we know who is where, we know where we can reach, and we know the capacity of our repeaters. That's why we have such an instinct, a voluntary duty."

Gained experience with practical training

In the practical section of the event, antenna setup work was carried out in the Çarşı Campus garden. Participants had the opportunity to experience amateur radio by communicating over different frequencies.

Students converted their theoretical knowledge into practice by communicating with amateur radio operators in different cities through the systems they set up.

Thanks were extended for his contributions

After a certificate of appreciation was presented to Zeynel Meriç for his contributions, the program concluded, raising awareness among participants about disaster communication and amateur radio.