The National Institute of Technology-Karnataka (NITK) Surathkal has created an emergency communication network using HAM radio in parts of coastal Karnataka. This network trains students on how amateur radio can help during emergencies when phones and internet fail. The initiative is under the CSR-funded project called ‘Enabling Multi-disciplinary and Broader Radio Applications for Community Empowerment (EMBRACE)’. According to project leaders, HAM radio is vital during floods, cyclones, or power outages that disrupt regular communication. A full amateur radio station was set up at NITK’s Surathkal campus in Dakshina Kannada district. This hub runs training, demonstrations, emergency drills, and outreach activities. To widen the reach, five HAM radio nodal centres were created in schools and colleges across Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu, and Uttara Kannada. Licensed HAM operators trained students and teachers to operate these centres, which have since become spots for learning and practicing emergency communication. The project also developed mobile HAM radio units mounted on electric cycles and scooters. These units show how communication tools can be moved into disaster-hit areas where normal infrastructure is down. The mobiles were used in workshops and community demos to explain last-mile connectivity during crises. Dr. Pruthviraj Umesh, Associate Professor at NITK and project leader, said the initiative focused on boosting girls’ involvement. He explained, “Women-exclusive training sessions and targeted workshops were conducted to address the low representation of women in technical communication fields.” The training aims to build confidence and leadership among female students from school level onward. To help more people learn, educational materials were created in Kannada, English, and Hindi. These include videos, printed guides, and simulation modules to keep the knowledge alive beyond the project period.