Amateur Radio, also called Ham Radio, is a hobby/service whose practitioners use many types of radio communications equipment to contact each other for recreation, public service and self training. Those active in Amateur Radio are called Amateur Radio Operators or Hams.
As a hobby, it is enjoyed for the pleasure, relaxation, diversion or the technical challenges it provides. There is also a social aspect of the hobby as it provides an opportunity to contact people all over the world. Many Hams who regularly contact each other may have never met face to face but have been "over the air" friends for years.
Amateur radio is also a public service. During earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and other emergency situations, Ham radio is often the only means of communicating with the disaster area. Over the decades many Hams have volunteered to provide radio communications to their communities during times of emergency and disaster.
The term "amateur" is not a reflection on the skills of the participants, which are sometimes quite advanced; rather, "amateur" indicates that amateur radio communications are not allowed to be made for commercial or money-making purposes. The origin of the term "Ham" is uncertain. There are a number of ideas about how the term came to be applied to amatuer radio operators, but its true origin has probably been lost in the pages of history.
What do Hams do?
There are many different activities in Ham radio. Amateurs enjoy contacting each other using various modes such as voice, morse code, and digital modes which require a computer that is interfaced with a radio.Following is a list of a few activities that Hams engage in.
- Satellites - Hams have their own Earth orbiting satellites that they use to relay signals through!
- Moon Bounce - Bouncing a signal off the moon and back to the other side of Earth.
- Amateur Television - Hams send still pictures and live video to each other using their radios.
- Morse Code - Morse Code is still alive and well in Ham radio circles.
- DX - "DX" is short for Long Distance. World wide communications is possible with Amateur Radio.
- Repeaters - Amateurs have erected automatic relay stations (repeaters) on top of buildings and hilltops to extend the range of their radios for local contacts.
- Contacting the ISS - Many astronauts are Hams. There is a Ham radio on board the International Space Station.
- Digital Modes - Lots of Hams enjoy keyboard to keyboard radio contacts by interfacing their computer and radio.
- QRP - Some Hams restrict themselves to less than 5 watts of power (called QRP which is shorthand for low power) to see how many "miles per watt" they can achieve.
- Contesting/Awards - There are all kinds of contests for Amateurs. The goal of most of them is to see how many contacts can be made during the contest period. Awards are given for making contacts in all 50 states, making contacts in 100 countries, Fox Hunting (finding a hidden radio transmitter) and many others.
The list could go on and on. Suffice it to say that there are all kinds of things to do using Amateur Radio.
Who becomes an Amateur Radio operator?
Hams come from all walks of life. Astronauts, celebrities, doctors, missionaries, engineers, computer enthusiasts, children, housewives, retirees and all kinds of ordinary folks are Hams. It is interesting to note that there are some famous Hams such as Walter Kronkite (KB2GSD), King Juan Carlos of Spain (EA0JC), Senator Barry Goldwater (K7UGA), Art Bell talk radio host (W6OBB), Joe Walsh of the Eagles (WB6ACU) and Wendy Lawrence a retired NASA astronaut (KC5KII). You never know who you will talk to on Ham Radio!
Why become a Ham?
Now that the Internet and cell phones are common place and can do much of what Ham radio can do, why would anyone want to be a Ham? Mainly because of the fun and satisfaction. Its very gratifying to make your first radio contact across the ocean knowing that you did it with the simple antenna you contstructed and put up yourself . Its just as much fun to make a contact across the town or county you live in. It could be said that since there are no monthly bills for Amateur radio (as there is with the Internet or a cell phone) that its an inexpensive form of communication, but not many people become Hams for the economics. Its a hobby and a service that is just plain fun.
Some people are attracted by the ability to communicate across the country, around the world, or even with astronauts in outer space. Others may like to experiment with electronics. Computer and networking enthusiasts enjoy using Ham Radio's digital communications opportunities. Those that are competitive enjoy contests where the object is to see how many hams in distant locations they can contact. Some like the convenience of a technology that gives them portable, instant communication. Some simply enjoy the social aspect of being able to talk to old friends and make new ones.
How do I become a Ham?
Becoming a Ham is easier now than ever. The Morse Code requirement was dropped in February 2007 so now just a 35 question FCC multiple choice exam is all that is required to obtain your Amateur license. There are three levels of licensing that allow increasing privileges on the Amateur radio bands. The entry level license is called the Technician license. The exam isn't difficult but will require some studying. Children younger than 10 years old sometimes get their licence, so most people with a desire to become a Ham should be able to pass the exam. There are plenty of excellent study materials available.
For more information, visit the W5YI Group and ARRL web sites. Both contain lots of information about getting started in Amateur Radio.