WHAT IS HAM RADIO?

A retired military officer in North Carolina makes friends over the radio with a ham in Lithuania. An Ohio teenager uses her computer to upload a chess move to an orbiting space satellite; it's retrieved by a fellow chess enthusiast in Japan. An aircraft engineer in Florida participating in a "DX" contest swaps call signs with hams in 100 countries in a weekend. And, in the aftermath of a catastrophic fire in California, hams save lives and property as part of their involvement in an emergency communications net.

This unique mix of fun, public service and convenience is the hallmark of the hobby called Amateur Radio. Although Radio Amateurs get involved in the hobby for many reasons, they all have in common a basic knowledge of radio technology, regulations and operating principles, demonstrated by passing an examination for a license to operate on radio frequencies known as the "Amateur Bands."

Who's the Typical Ham?

Amateur Radio operators come from all walks of life - movie stars, missionaries, doctors, students, politicians, truck drivers and just plain folks. They are all ages, sexes, income levels and nationalities. But whether they prefer Morse Code on an old brass telegraph key through a low power transmitter, voice communication on a 2-meter hand-held transceiver or computer messages transmitted through satellites and packet networks, they all have an interest in what's happening in our world, and they use radio to reach out.

What's the Appeal of Ham Radio?

Some hams are attracted by the ability to communicate across the country, around the globe or even with space missions. Others build and experiment with electronics. Computer hobbyists find packet radio to be a low-cost way to access an amateur-created "Internet on-the-air". Those with a competitive streak enjoy DX contests, where the object is to see how many distant locations they can contact. Some like the convenience of a technology that gives them portable communication. Others use it to open the door to new friendships over the air or through participation in one of more than 2000 Amateur Radio clubs throughout the country.

A Noble History

Nobody knows when Amateur Radio operators were first called "hams", but we do know that Amateur Radio is as old as the history of radio itself. Not long after Guglielmo Marconi, an Italian experimenter, received the Morse code letter "S" in Newfoundland that was transmitted from Wales in 1901, amateur experimenters throughout the world were trying out the capabilities of the first "spark gap" transmitters. In 1912 Congress passed the first laws regulating radio transmitters in the U.S. By 1914, amateur experimenters were communicating nationwide, and setting up a system to relay messages from coast to coast. In 1927, the FCC was created by Congress and specific frequencies were assigned for various uses, including ham bands.

Why the Amateur Radio License?

Although the main purpose of Amateur Radio is fun, it is called the "Amateur Radio Service" because it also has a serious face. The FCC created the "Service" to fill the need for a pool of experts who could provide backup emergency communications. In addition, the FCC acknowledged the ability of the hobby to advance the communication and technical skills of radio, and to enhance international goodwill. The philosophy has paid off. Countless lives have been saved where skilled hobbyists act as emergency communicators to render aid, whether it's an earthquake in Italy, a flood in India or a hurricane in the U.S.

Licensing

There are three classes of Amateur Radio licenses. Each class of license requires that a person pass some written examination dealing with radio regulations, operation and theory. There is no longer any Morse code requirement. The privileges granted to the licensee increase as the license class goes up.

Amateur Radio Bands

Amateur Radio operators are permitted to operate in a series of bands throughout the radio spectrum, from just above the AM broadcast band into the microwave region. This range of operating frequency allows Amateur Radio operators a great deal of flexibility to achieve long or short range communications at all times of the day or night.

Operating Modes

Amateur Radio operators are permitted to operate on voice, Morse code (CW), television, teletype, digital modes and satellites (we have our own). There can be plenty of excitement as one explores the newer modes of communication.