Mobile Phone & Radio Technology

The mobile phones are basically working on the radio frequency.  I have seen emails being forwarded on how small petty shops in Bombay in India provide repair solutions to mobile phones.  They brag about 18 year old youngsters providing repair solution to complicated mobile devices like i-Phone, Blackberry, etc.

30 years back we had only Radio - i remember as a small boy, we used to call a big set connected to direct power as "Radio" and a small set which is hand carried and works on battery as "Transistor".  We used to follow cricket matches by listening to "Radio Commentary".

In those days if the boys fail in SSLC (which is the final year at School) they will be sent to Rajagopal's Institute of Radio Technology (behind Hindu Office in Mount Road) which is in Chintadripet in Chennai.  After studying the one year course the boy will be called as a "Radio Mechanic" and he becomes eligible to set up a small shop to repair "Radio" "Transistor" "Tape Recorder" etc.  I have seen quite a few who graduated from this institute and set up their own Electrical Repair Shops..

The technology is very simple in a Radio and thus was easy for a school drop-out to understand and absorb.  I have seen transistor radio being assembled and sold on pavements in Delhi (Chandni Chowk area).

The advent of Mobile Phones is a big boon to those "Radio Mechanics" as the radio transistor concept is what works in a mobile phone "Radio Frequency".  However the present day mobile phones are much more complicated compared to a transistor of those days.  The present day mobile phone has a Phone, FM Radio, MP3 player, Camera, Organiser, Alarm Clock, Watch, Calendar, Calculator and many more packed inside the unit.

The so-called "school drop outs" are able to easily learn the technology and with regular practice and interest they become experts in providing repair solutions for the mobile phones.  It also helps youngsters who are not able to afford Engineering Degree and end up doing diploma or certificate courses in Electronics and Communication.

When new technology comes we all get excited but it is actually the same old technology which gets improvised.  I am happy that there are millions of mobile phones being sold in India.  This would mean job opportunity for thousands of youngsters who could provide the repair solution to customers at every street corner all over India.