Okay, what is Amateur Radio?

Amateur Radio (or ham radio), dating back to 1909, is a popular hobby and community service. “Hams” use their radios to talk across town or around the world. You must be licensed by the FCC before “getting on the air”. US licenses are good for 10 years before renewal. Cost for the exam and license is $15. In the US there are 3 license classes – Technician, General and Amateur Extra. The Technician license is the entry level and each step up gives you more frequencies that are available to use. Morse Code is no longer a requirement. Amateur radio is also a “Hobby with a Purpose”. It provides a means of communications when telephone and public service radio systems are degraded or become unusable due to disasters. Using our personal radios and equipment, we can augment public service or served agencies communication needs. Nationwide organizations include the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) and the National Traffic System (NTS) structured to allow rapid movement of radio messages in a nationwide network, both managed by the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) founded in 1914 with over 160,000 members. Many modes of communications are used by amateurs, both analog and digital, Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS), tele-printing (AMTOR), fast and slow scan television, ECHOLINK (via the internet), Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio (OSCAR), and so many others that a favorite mode can easily be found. The International Space Station is also equipped with amateur radios to facilitate “school contacts” with the ISS and for emergency use if it becomes necessary. ~ Budd WB4J