Bharathi Devulapalli

Licensed since 1980, I have spent more than four decades with a microphone in one hand and a Morse key nearby — chasing rare contacts across the world, and answering the call when disaster left millions without a voice.

Where it began · Hyderabad

Finding the frequency

My journey into amateur radio began after I finished my studies in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, and moved to Hyderabad to work as a schoolteacher. My sister and my brother-in-law, S. Suri (VU2MY) — a giant of the Indian amateur radio community — introduced me to the world of wireless. In the late 1970s and early ’80s it was a heavily male-dominated space, with very few YL (young lady) operators in India.

I was completely captivated by the idea of speaking to people in the most distant corners of the world using nothing but a transceiver and a wire antenna. I soon realised it was far more than a hobby — it was a powerful way to serve the community, especially in a crisis. That mix of global connection and public service drew me in so deeply that I left teaching behind and made ham radio both my life’s passion and my profession.

My passport to the planet

My callsign, VU2RBI, arrived in 1980 from the Ministry of Communications, after a rigorous licensing process. Hearing my own call on the airwaves for the first time was indescribable. It was not just a string of letters; it was my unique global identity — and, for a young woman in India taking a technical path, it stood for independence, a voice on the world stage, and a responsibility to represent my country on the air.

Learning the hard way

The learning curve was steep. India’s Advanced Grade licence demanded rigorous exams, including sending and receiving Morse code (CW) — hours of dedicated practice that I grew to love, and still teach to new hams today. With virtually no female role models, I earned credibility by immersing myself in the technical and operational craft. Quality gear was scarce and imports were costly in the early 1980s, so we were resourceful — homebrewing our own equipment, repairing older sets, and building efficient antennas from basic materials. Those challenges never deterred me; they made me resilient, and prepared me for the high-pressure work still to come.

DX-peditions to rare shores

A DX-pedition is an expedition to operate radio from a rare or remote location, so that operators everywhere get the chance to log a contact they may never make again. I have led them to the Andaman Islands and to Minicoy, in Lakshadweep. The 1987 Andaman operation earned a place in the Limca Book of Records, the World Wide DXer title, and the ARRL DXCC award.

When disaster called

When the phone lines and power fail, ham radio often becomes the only link to the outside world. I ran emergency communications during the 1999 Orissa cyclone and the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, and in December 2004 a DX-pedition of mine in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands turned into a relief service the moment the tsunami struck. Read the full story of the relief work →

A voice for women on the air

As one of India’s first YL (young lady) operators, I have always worked to bring more girls and women onto the bands — mentoring newcomers at NIAR and pushing to see amateur radio taught to girls as part of STEM. More on women in amateur radio →

At Westminster, and passing it on

In March 2010, the Royal Commonwealth Society invited me to read a testimony at Westminster Abbey on Commonwealth Observance Day, in the presence of HM Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince of Wales. That same year, President Smt. Pratibha Patil presented me The Thank Award for ham radio work with the Bharat Scouts & Guides. Today I spend as much time teaching the next generation as I do on the bands — because a signal is only worth as much as the people ready to answer it.

“A signal is only worth as much as the people ready to answer it.”
— Bharathi Devulapalli, VU2RBI

The timeline

Four decades, on the air.

1980

Licensed as VU2RBI

My amateur licence arrives from the Ministry of Communications after rigorous exams, including Morse code — as one of very few YL (young lady) operators in India. I leave teaching to make radio my profession.
1982

The Amreli floods

One of my first relief operations — emergency communications during the Amreli floods in Gujarat.
1984

A rescue at sea

Using amateur radio, I help save four international sailors adrift in a small boat.
1985

Co-founding NIAR

With my brother-in-law S. Suri (VU2MY) and others, I help establish the National Institute of Amateur Radio at its inception — the start of a lifelong association.
1987

The Andaman DX-pedition

Operating from the Andaman Islands earns a place in the Limca Book of Records, the World Wide DXer title, and the ARRL DXCC award.
1988

Ambassador on the Air

NIAR honours me with the award that becomes my calling card on the bands.
1988

The Bihar earthquake

Relief communications after the Bihar earthquake — Darbhanga, Madhubani and Munger.
1993

The Latur earthquake

Emergency nets during the Latur earthquake in Maharashtra.
1996

The Amarnath Yatra calamity

Coordinating communications during the Amarnath Yatra calamity near Srinagar.
1999

The Orissa cyclone

When the super-cyclone strikes Odisha, ham radio carries relief traffic where every other line has failed.
2001

The Gujarat earthquake

Emergency communications again — this time from the devastation of the Bhuj earthquake.
2004

The tsunami pivot

A DX-pedition in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands becomes an emergency comms service the moment the tsunami hits. The effort draws a CNN International documentary.
2005

Recognised for relief

The ARRL International Humanitarian Award, a Special Achievement Award at the Dayton Hamvention, and NIAR’s Gold Award.
2006–07

Minicoy, Lakshadweep

Operating from Minicoy earns the DX-pedition of the Year honour in the USA.
2008

Cyclone Sidr

Relief support during Cyclone Sidr.
2009

Aila & the Krishna floods

Relief communications for Cyclone Aila in West Bengal and the Krishna river floods in Andhra Pradesh.
2010

Westminster Abbey

Invited by the Royal Commonwealth Society to read a testimony before HM Queen Elizabeth II. The same year, President Pratibha Patil presents me The Thank Award.
2013

The Uttarakhand floods

Emergency communications during the devastating Uttarakhand Himalayan floods.
2023

“My Radio, My Life”

A TimeCap documentary on my life on the air screens at the DC South Asian Film Festival.