Hello from Chadiza, Zambia.
I am a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer working, among other things, on trying to teach skills that can lead to sustainable development. One of the big challenges, especially rural areas of the country where I am based, is the lack of resources for doing research. There are few books and these books are out dated so the internet is the option with the biggest 'bang for the buck'. However, the fact that it provides the largest amount of information for the lowest cost does not mean that there are cheap options available. Unlike in the states where DSL is almost ubiquitous, for most places in Zambia, the only means of connection are cellular or satellite, both of which are costly to use in a school setting. There is also the problem that, except for the limited use of small solar panels, electricity is not available apart from district centers and the few cities. Therefore if there is to be any means of connectivity in rural villages so that teachers can research information for their classes and business people or farmers can get prices for seed, fertilizer and the going rate for their products, it will have to be done via a low cost, low power option.
As a result, I am looking into amateur radio as an option. Before coming to Zambia, I knew very little about radio communications. Although I have learned a small amount more about the field I by no means could build a transceiver that could connect to the outside world, nor do I have a license to do so. Therefore I am looking for more information on radio regulations and licensing to be a ham radio operator in Zambia Supposedly there is an organization called Radio Society of Zambia that is an amateur radio organization, but I have only found outdated contact information for which neither the email address nor the phone # work. If anyone has contact information for a ham operator in Zambia, please let me know. Thank you for any information you can provide.
Oh, I found a good .pdf book today that I am reading now, after many frustrating days spend trying to find online resources with limited connectivity. It is not really like you can just go to your nearest library and to order a book and have it send here would take months. The link is below:
Ham Radio For Dummies - ON8WW
I am a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer working, among other things, on trying to teach skills that can lead to sustainable development. One of the big challenges, especially rural areas of the country where I am based, is the lack of resources for doing research. There are few books and these books are out dated so the internet is the option with the biggest 'bang for the buck'. However, the fact that it provides the largest amount of information for the lowest cost does not mean that there are cheap options available. Unlike in the states where DSL is almost ubiquitous, for most places in Zambia, the only means of connection are cellular or satellite, both of which are costly to use in a school setting. There is also the problem that, except for the limited use of small solar panels, electricity is not available apart from district centers and the few cities. Therefore if there is to be any means of connectivity in rural villages so that teachers can research information for their classes and business people or farmers can get prices for seed, fertilizer and the going rate for their products, it will have to be done via a low cost, low power option.
As a result, I am looking into amateur radio as an option. Before coming to Zambia, I knew very little about radio communications. Although I have learned a small amount more about the field I by no means could build a transceiver that could connect to the outside world, nor do I have a license to do so. Therefore I am looking for more information on radio regulations and licensing to be a ham radio operator in Zambia Supposedly there is an organization called Radio Society of Zambia that is an amateur radio organization, but I have only found outdated contact information for which neither the email address nor the phone # work. If anyone has contact information for a ham operator in Zambia, please let me know. Thank you for any information you can provide.
Oh, I found a good .pdf book today that I am reading now, after many frustrating days spend trying to find online resources with limited connectivity. It is not really like you can just go to your nearest library and to order a book and have it send here would take months. The link is below:
Ham Radio For Dummies - ON8WW
