What is Amateur Radio?

(Also known as HAM Radio)




There are so many facets to Amateur Radio that it is impossible to describe it in a single sentence or paragraph, so lets start by defining what an Amateur Radio operator (or HAM) is. In the U.S. a HAM is a person who has passed a test and received a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) which allows that person to transmit radio signals of various kinds on specific sections of the radio spectrum. Amateur Radio is a world wide activity and the procedure for obtaining an Amateur Radio License is different in each country. There are several classes of license. Each higher class allows operation on more frequencies. In the U.S. there is no age requirement. If you can pass the test you can get a license. Anyone can listen to the Amateur Radio frequencies, but only a licensed Amateur can transmit a signal. The purpose of transmitting a signal is to communicate with other Amateurs some where on Earth (Or space - some astronauts are HAMS and they do operate from the space shuttle and from space stations).
 

WHY COMMUNICATE?

The reasons are endless. Some HAMS enjoy the thrill of being able to talk to other HAMS in foreign countries at great distances. Some like to talk to old friends that have moved away. Some like to make new friends. Some talk just to test a new antenna or transmitter that they have built, or to test the propagation effects of the present sun spot cycle. Some like to talk to other local HAMS which may belong to the same HAM radio club. Some like to communicate by bouncing radio signals off the moon. Some like to talk using various satellites that have been launched by the U.S. and Russia. Some like to talk using voice or TV. Some like to talk using morse code or other forms of digital transmission known as Radio Teletype or Packet. Some practice skills necessary for emergency communications. Some are involved in weather tracking or skywarn activities. Some like to provide communications for local events such as soccer tournaments or parades. Some like to develop direction finding skills by participating in hidden transmitter hunts. Some launch radio equipment in balloons or rockets. Some like to communicate using very low power. Some like to help scientists track animal migrations using radio signals. Some like to communicate messages between others using "Message Traffic Networks". Some Amateurs like to build and maintain repeaters that enable communications between HAMS that cannot talk directly to each other. Many HAM radio clubs provide repeaters which also enable communications during emergencies as well as dissemination of severe weather information to local HAMS. Some Amateurs like to build their own equipment. Transceiver kits are available for less than $30.00 and it is possible to contact HAMS anywhere in the world using this low cost home built equipment. The art of communicating using this low cost low power equipment is called QRP.

Some famous Amateurs: the late King Hussin of Jordan, radio talk show host Art Bell, rock and roll star Joe Walsh, the late Senator Barry Goldwater, and some astronauts (Russian and U.S.).

You can find out more at the following sites.

Arrl web page-ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay League)
 
 

Colorado QRP Club -Here is a good place to learn more about low power communications.
 
 

EME, SETI-EME ( Earth Moon Earth ) or moon bounce communications. Lots of links
 
 

Homing In-Hidden transmitter contests, fox hunts - radio orienteering- radio Direction finding - ARDF
 
 

AMSAT-Amateur Radio Satellite Communications
 
 

DX Monitor-DX - long distance amateur radio - Azimuth map Beacons - DX spottings
 
 

QRZ-Find Hams in your area -Lots of links to Ham radio clubs and organizations
 
 

PSK31-New digital communications mode using a computer sound card.
 
 

ARES-Amateur Radio Emergency Service
 
 

Other club listings

Call 1-800-326-3942 for a free list of Amateur Radio clubs, instructors, and examiners in your area.
U.S. License Classes
CLASS REQUIREMENTS PRIVILEGES
Technician Written test on theory and FCC rules VHF & UHF (local)
Technician With proof of passing 5 words/minute Morse Code test VHF & UHF and some HF frequencies (world wide communications)
General Written test on theory and FCC rules plus Morse Code at 5 words/minute VHF & UHF and most HF
frequencies
Extra Written test on theory and FCC rules plus Morse Code at 5 words/minute Advanced privileges plus some additional frequency segments

 

Here are links to the FCC question pools. The actual test is compiled of a set of questions drawn from the pool of questions.
 

Technicians class question pool - Element 1, a 5 WPM Morse Code Exam and Element 2, a 35 question Technician Exam ( It is possible to receive a technician class licence                                             with less frequency privaledges without passing the Morse code test)
 

General class question pool - Elements 1 and 2 and Element 3, a 35 question General Exam
 
 

Extra class question pool - Elements 1, 2 and 3 and Element 4, a 50 question Amateur Extra Exam
 
 

Practice Examinations- Links to various shareware that simulates actual examinations.
 

MORSE CODE

There are many code practice computer programs and audio tapes available. The ARRL is a good source for this type of material.

You can download a free Morse Code course from this site. It is not as fancy as the ones you can buy, but it gives you what you need to pass the Morse Code tests.

Free Code Practice Software




There are three popular Amateur Radio magazines. Your local library may have one or more of them. If not you can subscribe to them by calling the phone number listed.
 
QST 860-594-0200
CQ 516-681-2922
73 603-924-0058

The names may seem strange. They are abbreviations that have a special meaning to radio amateurs.