The Antenna and Wave Propagation Laboratory is Gamantyo Hendrantoro's second home. Each day, this lecturer at the November 10 Institute of Technology of Surabaya, spends his time in a cramped room full of electronic gear.

After teaching, Gamantyo tinkers with his latest creations at the lab. He even checks student papers here. This "hideaway" of his is common knowledge for his students. "I don't go home until midnight," he said.

A high-frequency communic