Many people have heard of Amateur Radio or HAM Radio but all too many do not have any idea what Ham Radio is, if you are interested take a look below.
Amateur Radio (ham radio) is a popular hobby and service that brings people, electronics, and communication together. People use ham radio to talk across town, around the world, or even into space, all without the Internet or cell phones. It’s fun, social, educational, and can be a lifeline during times of need.
Although Amateur Radio operators get involved for many reasons, they all have in common a basic knowledge of radio technology and operating principles, and pass an examination for the FCC license to operate on radio frequencies known as the “Amateur Bands.” These bands are radio frequencies allocated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for use by ham radio operators.
Who is the Typical Ham?
Amateur Radio operators come from all walks of life — doctors, students, kids, politicians, truck drivers, movie stars, missionaries, and even your average neighbor next door. They are of all ages, sexes, income levels, and nationalities. Whether through Morse Code on an old brass telegraph key, voice communication on a hand-held radio, or computerized messages transmitted via satellite, all hams use radio to reach out to the world.
Before you can do anything, you need to get an Amateur Radio license from the Federal Communications Commission.
Once you have your license, the rest is up to you. What you do next depends on what sort of equipment you intend to use and what type of communication you’d like to try. Find helpful advice for your first ham station and how to get on the air and be sure to join ARRL to take advantage of the numerous membership benefits, including technical support from our Technical Information Service.
Credit: ARRL