TT’s Jottings-Blog of VU2SWX

General Profile

Welcome to my home page. I am Sunil T T (VU2SWX) aka Sunil Thomas Thonikuzhiyil, a self proclaimed geek and an up coming ham radio operator. I am located in Trivandrum ,India. I have been trying to put up these pages for some time now and is not complete yet. I am interested in many things, but unfortunately, I am master of none. You may find some write ups I have done over the time here.

I was born and brought up in the hilly Idukki district of India. I belong to the Thonikuzhiyil family settled around Pala.  After finishing my school, I joined Bachelor’s degree program in Electronics and communication Engineering at Mar Athanesius College of Engineering. I passed out in 1990 with a First Rank.   Later, I did my  M.Tech  in Computer and Information Science at Department of Computer Science Cochin University of Science and Technology.

I have been working with Institute of Human Resources Development(IHRD)  since 1991. I have held various positions in IHRD until 2001.  In 2001, I joined Kerala Legislative Assembly as the head of its computer division. I was instrumental in computerising the Kerala Legislative assembly.  After a 6 year stint, I left Kerala legislative Assembly in August 2007 to take up a teaching job at College of Engineering Attingal Trivandrum.

As to  my personal habits, I like vegetarian food, some time drink a peg (if you offer it free),like cool music(mainly Indian classical stuff-I have a good collection:) ),  movies , books etc.

If you need any clarification on any information contained at this site please drop me a mail at   vu2swx     at   gmail dot com .

Articles and Publications
I have written a few of them .Here is my profile on Linux Gazette. You can find some of them there.

Academic and Career Journal

My schooling was done in several schools.  All of them were ordinary schools as my mother had frequent transfers. I passed my SSLC from CKHS Velliamattom Idukki in 1983. I was the school topper.

My Pre Degree ( Plus 2 now) was  at St.Josephs College Moolamattom . I passed out in 1985 ( as topper in science subjects).

I studied electronics and  communication  engineering at M A College of Engineering and passed out in 1990 with a University first rank,

I worked briefly at Karunya Institute of Technology Coimbatore ( and fled  with in a month)  and then joined Institute of Human Resources Development (IHRD)  Trivandrum in 1991.

Worked as Lecturer in Electronics at Model polytechnic Vadakara , one of the best Polytechnics in India. Later I became Head of Computer department at   Model polytechnic Matakkara Kottayam. I was posted as a special officer to set up a new polytechnic at Painavu Idukki. I worked there for 2 years , setting up the college.  This was a tough job , fighting climate ,elephants etc.

In 1998 I joined Cochin university  for my M Tech. I passed out in 2000 and was posted at College of Applied Science Calicut as Principal.  In 2001, I joined Kerala Legislative Assembly as Consultant (IT). I was instrumental in setting up IT infrastructure, web services and computerisation of the legislature.

In 2007, I joined college of Engineering Attingal as Assistant Professor and still working there. I  am Principal in charge of College of engineering Attingal from 17th  December 2009 onwards. ( Update July 2010 :  I am  no longer holding the charges of Principal as I am being  deputed to  IITB for  PhD under QIP scheme of Govt. of India.)

Update August 2010. In 2010 April I was  selected for PhD at Department of Electrical engineering at IIT Bombay. I am presently on contact program at IITB and will be joining as a full time scholar in July 2011. My advisor is Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri

Update: July 2011: I have joined IIT Bombay as a research scholar and  will be living  in Mumbai fro the next three(+ ..)  years. My home page at IIT Bombay is this 

Update January 2013: Enjoying life in IIT Bombay.

Training Programs attended.

I have attended  quite a few. The latest ones are

a)  Introduction to DSP processors at College of Engineering Chengannur.

b) Linux Internals and Kernel programming at CDAC Hyderabad.

c)  Recent Researches in Fuzzy logic and Neural networks at NIT Trichy (June 2010)

Training / short term courses conducted.

a) PHP MYSQL at MCA department College of Engineering Trivandrum

b) Introduction to Linux  at Adhi Shankara College of Technology Kalady

c) PHP MY SQL RIT Kottayam

d) PIC micro controllers IHRD Trivandrum

e) Advanced Linux System Administration College of Engineering Chengannur.

f) Resource person in IT  Refresher course in Music . Academic Staff college  University of Kerala Trivandrum (  Course conducted on  10th to 12th  July 2009)

g) Resource person for  5 day AICTE-ISTE program on advanced Linux administration and networking at Adhi Shankara Institute of Technology Kalady July 2009

h) Resource person – Introduction to Linux  organised by IEEE  College of Engg Karunagappally August 2009.

i) Resource person for the training program on Informatics held by Kerala State Higher education council.

j) Introduction to open source hardware .One week ISTE program held at College of Engineering Attingal May 2011.

I was faculty at several other  AICTE-ISTE schools ,  I think I have lost count.

Skills and Capabilities

a) Microprocessors and Micro controllers.

I have worked with 8085 and 8086 extensively. Now my interest is in PIC micro controllers, arduino boards , Raspberry pi

b) Open and Free software.

I was hooked to FOSS ever since I started working with Slackware in 1996 . Now I use Ubuntu and Debian. I am system administrator of a few production servers and have the necessary skills.

c) Amateur Radio

I hold a Grade 1 Amateur Licence with the call sign VU2SWX. I  have VHF and HF equipment at home.  The VHF equipment is a Philips SXA handy driven by a DDS VFO. My main  HF equipment is a home-brewed bitx 20 built in Manhattan style. I was instrumental in setting up the VU2CLU Club station at Kerala State Science and Technology Museum.Trivandrum.

d) Networking

I have fairly good knowledge of Internet protocols and have advised several organisations on networking ,  internet access management , cyber security etc.

e)  I  think I have fairly good teaching skills and like to teach short , and focussed programmes.

Family

My XYL is a chartered accountant by profession.  There are 3 qrps, all girls , studying in a local school.   They are exhibiting early simptoms of geekishness. We are at present settled in Trivandrum our QTH is located near Sasthamangalam.