Kolkata: An amateur radio operator of West Bengal, who has a hobby of intercepting radio signals from far away countries, has received one from Antarctica, the southern tip of the globe over 11,835 km away. The feat of 65-year-old Babul Gupta is unique as it is the first successful DXing - receiving and identifying distant radio signals - with Antarctica from the state in recent memory, Secretary of West Bengal Radio Club Ambaresh Nag Biswas told reporters.
Gupta, a member of the club, received a radio transmission from a camp set up by an Argentine team of scientists in Antarctica when he was in Bakkhali, a seaside spot in South 24 Parganas district, on August 8, he said.
For decades, Babul was very curious about receiving an elusive radio signal and he screamed with joy. This achievement won't fetch him an international award but gave him immense satisfaction.
Asked about when he started exploring his hobby, the Bengal buff said, "When I was 12 years old, there used to be broadcast of Melbourne Olympics. Initially, I had tried with my father's radio but was unable to locate the channel. But I did not give up. I kept on trying and finally, I was able to locate the Melbourne radio station. It has become my hobby and in order to buy antennas, I would save my pocket money. Eventually, I connected with various stations and received signals from USA, Japan, UK, Russia and several other European countries. Now, I can tune into 253 radio stations across the globe."
"The transmission was made from LRA 36 camp. It was transmitted from the scientists'' camp in the South Pole. I sent the recording of the audio to the Argentine team via email," Gupta said.
The Argentines have sent an acknowledgement citation to Gupta referring to his tracking their radio signal on 15.476 kHz.
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It was during one of his searches for a foreign signal that he eventually landed on receiving radio dispatches from Antarctica. Some countries who conduct research work in the icy lands, broadcast from Antarctica during a particular period every year.
“It was a revelation of sorts when it happened in August this year. We had organised a camp and was trying to connect to a signal in Antarctica. It takes a lot of effort to pick up a signal but luckily, I received it," the Dxing lover said.
"No, there would be no award or prize for this. But when I received the signal, it was a defining moment in my life. I had been able to receive radio signals from many faraway places but never from Antarctica," the communication enthusiast said.
The sexagenarian said he is one of those ham radio operators who specialize in DXing. On the ideal conditions to make DXing successful, Nag Biswas said that amateur radio operators set up camps in deserted areas with little congestion - vacant spots in jungles, watchtowers, high altitude plain in mountains.
After listening to the radio broadcast, Gupta also received a gratitude certificate from LRA 36 Radio Nacional. Gupta wishes to tune in and listen to radio dispatches sent to the space stations and satellites. He has already started his trial.
“There is no need for any permission from the authorities for DXing. Many do that. Permission is needed to operate HAM Radios, which I have,” says the radio enthusiast, who by profession is an interior designer.
“Initially after marriage, it was a bit awkward. Most nights he would be busy in his room fiddling with the radio and finding stations. But, gradually I understood his hobby and it was fascinating. Our son is also hooked into it these days,” says Babul's wife Aparna.
Babul Gupta had aged with grace but has not stopped dreaming to find new radio stations to tune in to, be it on earth or space.
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With agency inputs