What is Ham Radio? A housewife in
North Carolina makes friends over the radio with another ham
in Lithuania. An Ohio teenager uses his computer to upload a
digital chess move to an orbiting space satellite, where it's
retrieved by a fellow chess enthusiast in Japan. An aircraft
engineer in Florida participating in a "DX contest" swaps his
call sign and talks to hams in 100 different countries during
a single weekend. In California, volunteers save lives as part
of their involvement in an emergency response. And from his
room in Chicago, a ham's pocket-sized hand-held radio allows
him to talk to friends in the Carolinas. This unique mix of
fun, public service and convenience is the distinguishing
characteristic of Amateur Radio. Although hams 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 reserved by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) for use by hams at intervals from just above
the AM broadcast band all the way up into extremely high
microwave frequencies. Listen to this spot, "What
Is Ham Radio?"
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. They say Hello
to the world in many languages and many ways. But whether they
prefer Morse code on an old brass telegraph key, voice
communication on a hand-held radio, or computerized messages
transmitted via satellite, they all have an interest in what's
happening in the 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
astronauts on space missions. Others may like to build and
experiment with electronics. Computer hobbyists enjoy using
Amateur Radio's digital communications opportunities. Those
with a competitive streak enjoy "DX 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 communication. Mostly we 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. Read real person comments in "Why I Love
It!".
Why Do You Need a
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 this "Service" to
fill the need for a pool of experts who could provide backup
during emergencies. In addition, the FCC acknowledged the
ability of the hobby to advance the communication and
technical skills of radio, and to enhance international
goodwill. This philosophy has paid off. Countless lives have
been saved where skilled hobbyists act as emergency
communicators to render aid, whether it's during an earthquake
in Italy or a hurricane in the U.S.
Why Do They
Call Themselves "Hams"? "Ham: a poor operator.
A 'plug.'"
That's the definition of the word
given in G. M. Dodge's "The Telegraph Instructor" even before
there was radio. The definition has never changed in wire
telegraphy. The first wireless operators were landline
telegraphers who left their offices to go to sea or to man the
coastal stations. They brought with them their language and
much of the tradition of their older profession. In those
early days, every station occupied the same wavelength-or,
more accurately perhaps, every station occupied the whole
spectrum with its broad spark signal. Government stations,
ships, coastal stations and the increasingly numerous amateur
operators all competed for time and signal supremacy in each
other's receivers. Many of the amateur stations were very
powerful. Two amateurs, working each other across town, could
effectively jam all the other operations in the area.
Frustrated commercial operators would refer to the ham radio
interference by calling them "hams." Amateurs, possibly
unfamiliar with the real meaning of the term, picked it up and
applied it to themselves in true "Yankee Doodle" fashion and
wore it with pride. As the years advanced, the original
meaning has completely disappeared.
Do I Have to Learn Morse Code? Not
any more! While many hams LIKE to use Morse code, it is not
required for your entry level license.
What are some of the other ways radio
hams communicate? What do they sound like? There
is a great variety of ways that Amateur Radio operators are
able to communicate. Using voice is just one. Morse code is
still widely used. Here is what "hello"
sounds like in Morse code. Packet,
Radio
Teletype (often called Ritty) and PSK are
three more. Even faster transmissions are being developed
using methods which can send almost any form of digital data.
Hams also use television
to send pictures over the air.
What are the Amateur Radio
Bands? Look at the dial on an old AM radio and
you'll see frequencies marked from 535 to 1605 kilohertz. This
is one radio "band." There are other bands of radio spectrum
for amateur, government, military and commercial radio uses.
If you could hear the many different bands, you would find
aircraft, ship, fire and police communication, as well as the
so-called "shortwave" stations, which are worldwide commercial
and government broadcast stations from the U.S. and overseas.
Amateurs are allocated 26 bands (i.e., specific groups of
frequencies) spaced from 1.8 Megahertz, which is just above
the broadcast radio frequencies, all the way up to 275
Gigahertz! Depending on which band we use, we can talk across
town, around the world, or out to satellites in space. Hams
can even bounce signals off the
moon!
How Much Does it
Cost? Basic study materials for passing the FCC
test and getting your initial license usually cost less than
$40. There are also classes held by many local groups for
people who want more interaction. If possible, taking part in
one of these classes is the best way to go, but there's even
an online course you can take if your personal schedule is too
hectic. Once you have your first license, most hams find it
best to start with simple equipment and grow over time. It
usually costs less than $200 to get your own first radio and
start saying Hello. Many ham radio flea markets are held all
over the country that sell good used equipment for even
less.
What is the
ARRL? Founded in 1914, the 150,000-member ARRL -
The National Association for Amateur Radio is the national
association for Amateur Radio in the USA. Other countries also
have their own national associations. The ARRL not only
reflects the commitment and many enthusiasms of American hams,
but also provides leadership as the voice of Amateur Radio in
the USA, whether in dealings with the Federal Communications
Commission, the World Administrative Radio Conference, the
International Amateur Radio Union, or with the general public.
The ARRL is the primary source of information about what is
going on in the ham radio world. It provides books, news,
support and information for individuals and clubs, special
operating events, all sorts of continuing education classes
and other benefits for its members. Being a member of the ARRL
is important for hams!
Where Do I Get More
Information? The best ways to learn about Amateur
Radio is to talk to hams face-to-face. Hams take pride in
their ability to "Elmer" (teach) newcomers the ropes to get
them started in the hobby. There is probably an Amateur Radio
club near you that will welcome your interest. To find out who
to contact in your area, click
here.
|