Amateur radio finds new fans among Gen Z in Chennai

Amateur radio is attracting younger enthusiasts due to simpler licensing, affordable technology, and phone-based communication options, shifting its image beyond disaster response. The hobby now features casual banter and Gen Z participation, with licenses obtainable in about a month for those aged 12 and up. Key factors include objective exams replacing older formats, software like EchoLink enabling phone use, and cheaper, portable equipment from local dealers. Enthusiasts like N. Deepan and Gaurav Srivatsava note these changes, with Srivatsava's business, Radio Brewery, emerging from local supply gaps. Youngsters, including the founders' children, are joining without family precedent, drawn by global communication and volunteering opportunities. The hobby's evolution from bulky valve radios to compact gear supports its appeal to a generation focused on connection and service.