Some of the newest licensed hams in West Bengal, India, got to put their privileges to the test recently during a disaster management communication drill in Kolkata.

Although this was a mock disaster, the exercise placed the same demands on the radio operators that they would face during a real crisis. They had to quickly set up 10 temporary stations and establish communication with one another.

Ambarish Nag Biswas, VU2JFA, secretary of the West Bengal Radio Club. said that classes had been held before the drill so that the hams could be confident in knowing every procedure necessary - from checking the radios, cables and antennas, to measuring and ensuring an acceptable SWR.

The August 9th drill was was attended by officers from the National Disaster Response Force of the Indian government; the Disaster Management Officers from the state of West Bengal; Civil Defence volunteers; and the local municipality - all of whom, no doubt, may one day need the skills of these new hams if disaster strikes.