Subj : Interested In Ham Radio? (A) To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Sun Jun 04 2023 00:03:14 Credit for this article is given to Hamnet BBS WHAT IS AMATEUR RADIO?? Amateur Radio (often called "ham radio") is a hobby and an important public service authorized by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in Part 97 of the FCC Rules and Regulations. Its purpose, quoted from SubPart A, Sec 97.1, is as follows: "...to provide [a] service...as expressed in the following principles: (a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications. (b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art. (c) Encouragement and improvement of the Amateur Radio service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art. (d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians and electronics experts. (e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill." Licensed Amateur Radio operators are people of any age, sex, profession, or nationality...who are fascinated with communications via two-way radio. Generally a skilled group, they are required to pass examinations to receive the authorization to operate an Amateur Radio station. The typical Amateur has a variety of interests, and the hobby provides for a multitude of individual preferences. Amateurs engage in general chit-chat; emergency operations (including participation in Civil Preparedness); sending, relaying, receiving and delivering free radiograms for the public; providing communications support for civic functions such as local parades, marathons, etc.; making friends with Amateurs in foreign countries; investigating the mysteries of radio signal propagation; building, modifying and designing radio equipment, antennas and accessories; winning awards for operating proficiency in many areas; helping others prepare for Amateur Radio FCC license examinations; and many more exciting and valuable facets of the hobby. INTERESTED IN BEING A HAM? NO LIMITS There are no limits on who can become a ham. Ages range from under 8 to over 80. Hams come from all walks of life. Some are rich. Some are poor. Most are in between. Ham radio is also wide open to handicapped individuals. There are blind hams, deaf hams, paralyzed hams, you name it. There's some way just about anyone can use ham radio to open their door to the world. As long as you're not a representative of a foreign government, and you either live in the United States, or have a U.S. mailing address, you're eligible to take the exams necessary to become a ham radio operator. BECOMING A HAM... ....can be very easy. With just a little study, just about anyone can qualify for an Amateur Radio license. What you have to study depends on which level of license you want to go for. There are three classes of amateur radio licensees...and there is no longer any Morse Code exam required for any class of U.S. Amateur Radio license. Most people start with: THE TECHNICIAN LICENSE This is now the entry class license into Amateur Radio. It gives you all Amateur Radio privileges above 50 Megahertz, including the popular "2 meter" band. World-wide contacts, via satellite, are now possible on these bands. Technician Class licensees can also use the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) modes, such as Echolink...see the Echolink Overview in this area for details. To get the "Tech" license, you have to pass an examination covering rules, regulations, and basic electronic theory. As of Feb. 23, 2007, Technician class licensees...whether or not they've passed a Morse Code exam...also have these HF privileges: 80 meters: CW (Morse Code) only: 3.525 Mhz to 3.600 Mhz 40 meters: CW (Morse Code) only: 7.025 Mhz to 7.125 Mhz 15 meters: CW (Morse Code) only: 21.025 Mhz to 21.200 Mhz 10 meters: CW (Morse Code), RTTY, and data only: 28.000 Mhz to 28.300 Mhz 10 meters: SSB Phone Only: 28.300 Mhz to 28.500 Mhz These HF privileges are identical for Novice Class licensees. Note that NO OTHER HF PRIVILEGES EXIST for Novice or Technician Class licensees. THE GENERAL LICENSE This is the one most hams hold. It lets you operate voice as well as code on all amateur bands. The theory test deals more with operating on the high frequency bands. All amateur radio privileges, except the 500 kilohertz of frequencies on the 80, 40, 20, and 15 meter bands, reserved for Extra Class licensees, are available. THE EXTRA LICENSE This higher grade of license lets you with all amateur radio privileges, including operating on frequencies closed to other hams. You need to know more theory...a combination of the former Advanced and Extra exams. LICENSE COURSES More information on the license exams, classes, and callsigns are elsewhere within this area. RADIO CLUBS Just about every city and town has a nearby Amateur Radio Club. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some specialize in public service, some like "DX", chasing faraway stations. Others are general interest clubs, giving local hams the chance to get together in person, exchange ideas and work on group projects, such as repeater stations, which benefit all and are too expensive for most individuals to buy. And, of course, clubs to socialize. THE ARRL The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the largest organization of radio amateurs in the United States. It was founded in 1914, and serves as the official voice of Amateur Radio in dealings with government agencies. The ARRL is a not-for-profit organization, governed by a board of directors elected every two years by League members. The ARRL also publishes a monthly magazine, QST, plus many books on different aspects of Amateur Radio. Its staff helps members with technical problems and helps "get the word out" on news of interest to the amateur community. FOR MORE INFORMATION, Write: The American Radio Relay League 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111-1494 Phone: (860) 594-0200 MORSE CODE Although Morse Code is no longer required to get a United States amateur radio license, there are several important features of Morse Code: * It can save your life. When operating conditions are difficult, Morse Code will often get through when voice won't. * Morse Code is the most efficient way to communicate, technically speaking. Less power is needed to cover the same distance with code than with voice. * The code is an international language, with its own abbreviations and short-hand. It breaks down language barriers and makes international contacts easier. * For some people, particularly the handicapped, the code is sometimes their only way to "talk" on the air. * Finally, it's fun. Many people who thought they'd never have a use for Morse Code found that, one they've tried it, they prefer it. While Morse Code is no longer required for an amateur radio license exam in the United States, hams can still use CW on any band they have privileges on. --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:2320/33) .