| Ham radio has a long and important history. As society | | | | orbit or on the space station astronauts have spoken |
| and technology continue to move on to new things, a | | | | with other operators as well as children, teachers and |
| small segment continues to enjoy the hobby as well as | | | | parents. The program is called ARISS, Amateur Radio |
| to educate and help during disasters. | | | | on the International Space Station. |
| WHAT IS HAM RADIO? | | | | Hams are young and old, men and women and of |
| Ham radio is the the term coined for amateur radio | | | | every background and occupation. |
| enthusiasts who learn to operate radios as a hobby or | | | | WHAT DO YOU NEED TO START? |
| for practical use. Hams - as operators are called - can | | | | In the United States you must obtain a license from the |
| use various methods for transmitting messages | | | | FCC (Federal Communications Commission). |
| including Morse code via telegraph, voice transmission | | | | To be licensed by the FCC you must pass an exam. |
| via radio or messages through a computer. New | | | | The exam is administered by a volunteer ham |
| methods of transmitting television allow for images to | | | | operator and you are then mailed your license. You |
| be received around the world by hams. Some hams | | | | can often find websites or groups where you can |
| have contributed to the development of new | | | | locate a tutor who will answer questions or offer |
| technologies for other uses. | | | | instruction before you take your exam. One such |
| The term 'ham' has unknown origin although there are | | | | resource is the ARRL website. The ARRL is the |
| several theories. | | | | National Association for Amateur Radio and provides |
| WHO USES HAM RADIO? | | | | training and resources for getting started as well as |
| Ham radio operators can be anyone - doctors, | | | | updates and news for the ham radio community. |
| homemakers, truck drivers - who enjoys | | | | HOW MANY HAMS ARE THERE? |
| communicating with new friends. Hams can talk across | | | | The ARRL site claims over 170,000 members. FCC |
| town or around the world. | | | | licenses have been issued to over 600,000 individuals |
| Ham radio was used by the military in the World Wars | | | | in the United States and there are over 3,000,000 |
| and by ships. The well known 'SOS' is just one of the | | | | hams in Japan and many more throughout the world |
| codes that operators use to relay messages to one | | | | according to statistics found at ah0a-Site. |
| another. | | | | With so many people to talk to, there are even |
| In emergencies ham radio operators volunteer to | | | | competitions to see how far away you can transmit |
| assist with transmitting messages when normal | | | | and many other events within the community. |
| communications are unavailable. | | | | The day will come when you can use something you |
| So far, we've uncovered some interesting facts about | | | | read about here to have a beneficial impact. Then |
| ham radio. You may decide that the following | | | | you'll be glad you took the time to learn more about |
| information is even more interesting. | | | | ham radio. |
| Hams are all over the world - even in space! While in | | | | |