Last Updated on February 13, 2024 by KC7NYR

What is Amateur Radio?

According to ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay League), when cell phones, regular phones, the internet and other systems are down or overloaded, Amateur Radio still gets the message through.  Radio amateurs, often called “hams,” enjoy radio technology as a hobby. But it’s also a service –a vital service that has saved lives when regular communication systems failed.

Who are Hams?

An amateur radio operator is someone who uses equipment at an amateur radio station to engage in two-way personal communications with other amateur operators on radio frequencies assigned to the amateur radio service.

Ham Radio operators are movie stars, missionaries, doctors, students, politicians, truck drivers and regular people. They are all ages, sexes and income levels linked by their interest in wireless communications technologies. There are more licensed American Amateur Radio operators now than ever before in history.

Why do you need a license?

While license application requirements vary by country, the Amateur Radio Service is also controlled by international law and agreements because radio waves do not stop for international borders. In its regulations (Part 97), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recognizes the ability of the hobby not only to advance radio communication and technical skills, but also to enhance international goodwill.

New Hams Info website NewHams.info site. Its purpose is to provide training, information and general encouragement to new or prospective amateur radio operators (hams). Sort of a virtual “Elmer”, as we say. Experienced hams should find it interesting and useful as well.


Amateur radio – a 21st Century hobby


What is Ham Radio


Amateur Radio Code & Hobby

The Amateur Code:

Considerate: never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of  others.

Loyal: offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, and the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally.

Progressive: with knowledge abreast of science, a well-built and efficient station and operating above reproach.

Friendly: slow and patient operating when requested; friendly advise and counsel to the beginner; kindly assistance , cooperation and consideration for interests of others.  These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit.

Balanced: radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school, or community.

Patriotic: station and skill always ready for service to country and community.

The original Amateur’s Code was written by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA, in 1928.

Credits: ARRL – http://www.arrl.org/


History of Amateur Radio

The history of amateur radio, dates from the dawn of radio communications, with published instructions for building simple wireless sets appearing at the beginning of the twentieth century. Throughout its history, amateur radio enthusiasts have made significant contributions to science, engineering, industry, and social services. Research by amateur radio operators has founded new industries, built economies, empowered nations, and saved lives in times of emergency.

Amateur radio is a hobby and, by law, completely non-commercial. Individual amateur “ham” radio operators pursue the avocation for personal pleasure through building their own radio stations and communicating with their fellows globally, and for self-improvement via study and practice of electronics, computers, and radio and TV wave behavior. Radio amateurs are, thus, “amateurs” in the true sense of the word: pursuit of an activity only for the love of it.

Radio amateurs can not broadcast or transmit music and other general public entertainment programming. The amateur radio use of the air waves is for personal satisfaction and for forwarding the “state of the art” of electronics and communication techniques. Amateur radio operations can be detected in designated bands throughout the radio spectrum, using a variety of modulation methods including Morse code, voice and digital modes, and image modes such as television and facsimile.

Source Credit: wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_amateur_radio


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