What is Amateur Radio?

Amateur radio - also known as Ham radio - is both a hobby and a service in which it's participants known as "Hams" use various types of radio communications equipment to communicate with other amateurs for public service, recreation, and self-training1.

Amateur radio operators enjoy personal - and often world-wide - wireless communications with each other and are able to support their communities with emergency and disaster communications while, at the same time, increasing their personal knowledge of electronics and radio theory. An estimated six million people throughout the world are regularly involved with Amateur Radio2. The term "amateur" reflects the principle that amateur radio and its skilled operators are committed to helping communities without financial compensation; whereas, by comparison, commercial radio operates for profit.

Some history of Amateur Radio

Though its origin can be traced back to the 1800s, Amateur Radio - as it is practiced today - didn't begin until the early 1900s. The first listing of amateur radio stations is contained in the First Annual Official Wireless Blue Book of the Wireless Association of America in 1909. This first radio call book listed wireless telegraph stations in both Canada and the United States including eighty-nine (89) amateur radio stations. As is the case with radio in general, the development of amateur radio was strongly associated with various amateur experimenters and hobbyists. Throughout its history, amateur radio enthusiast have made significant contributions to science, engineering, industry, and social services. Research conducted by amateur radio operators has founded new industries, built economies, empowered nations, and saved lives.

Activities and practices of Amateur Radio

Amateur radio operators can - and do - use various modes of transmission to communicate. The most common method is voice transmissions utilizing Frequency Modulation (FM) which offers high-quality audio. Another common method of voice transmissions is single sideband or SSB which offers more reliable communications over long distances - especially where signal strength is marginal and/or bandwidth is restricted.

Radiotelegraphy utilizing Morse code - also known as "CW" for "continuous wave" - is an activity dating back to the earliest days of radio. CW is the wireless extension of land line (wire-based) telegraphy developed by Samuel F.B. Morse which was the predominant method of real-time, long distance communication during the 19th century. Although computer-based (digital) modes and methods have largely replaced CW for commercial and military applications, however, many amateur radio operators still enjoy utilizing the CW mode of transmissions. This is especially true when they are working on shortwave bands or when doing experimental work such as earth-moon-earth communications.

Morse code or CW transmissions utilize internationally agreed-upon encoding thereby allowing communications between amateurs even if they speak different languages. It's also popular with so-called "homebrewers" as CW-only transmitters are easier to build. A similar "legacy" mode popular with "homebrewers" is amplitude modulation (AM). This mode is especially popular with vintage amateur radio enthusiast as well as aficionados of vacuum tube technology.

For many years, the ability to demonstrate a proficiency in Morse code was a prerequisite to obtaining an Amateur radio for the high-frequency bands (frequencies below 30 MHz.). Following changes in international regulations in 2003, proficiency in Morse code is no longer required. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) phased out this requirement for all Amateur radio license classes on February 23, 2007
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Personal computers have encouraged the use of digital modes such as radio-teletype (RTTY) - a process which previously required cumbersome mechanical equipment. Again, Amateur radio operators led in the development of packet radio - which employ protocols such as TCP/IP - in the 1970s. Specialized digital modes - such as PSK31 - allow for real-time, low-power communications via the shortwave bands. Echolink (http://www.echolink.org) utilizes voice over IP technology to allow Amateurs to communicate via local Internet-connected repeaters and radio nodes while, at the same time, the Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP) (http://www.irlp.net) has allowed the linking of repeaters to provide greater coverage area. Other modes, such as FSK441, which utilize software such as WSJT4, are used for weak signal modes including meteor scatter and moon-bounce communications.

Fast-scan amateur television has gained popularity as hobbyist adapt inexpensive consumer video electronics such as camcorders and PC video cards. Because of the wide bandwidth and stable signals required, amateur television is usually found in the 70 cm (420 MHz - 450 MHz) frequency range although there is also limited use on 33 cm (902 MHz - 928 MHz) and 23 cm (1240 MHz - 1300 MHz). These requirements also effectively limit the signal range to between 20 to 60 miles (30 km - 100 km), however, the use of linked repeater systems can allow transmissions across hundreds of miles. These repeaters - or automated relay stations - are used on VHF and higher frequencies to increase signal range. They are usually located on top of a mountain, hill, or tall building and allow operators to communicate over hundreds of miles using a low power, hand-held transceiver.
Communication satellites known as "Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio" - or , OSCAR, for short - can be accessed using a hand-held transceiver (HT) . . . sometimes even using the original "rubber duck" antenna5.

In addition to talking with other operators, Hams also participate in what are known as round table discussion groups or "rag chew sessions" on the air. Some also join in regularly scheduled on-air meetings with other amateurs called "nets" which are moderated by a station referred to as "Net Control"6. These "nets" allow operators to learn procedures for emergencies, can be an informal round table or topical in nature, or cover a common interest shared by the group.

In all countries that license citizens to use Amateur Radio, operators are required to pass a licensing exam which demonstrates proficiency and understanding of key concepts. In return, Amateurs are granted operating privileges in a larger segment of the radio frequency spectrum utilizing a wide-variety of communication techniques. This is in contrast to unlicensed personal radio services such as Citizens Band (CB) radio, Multi-Use Radio Service, or Family Radio Service/PMR-446 which require approved equipment which is restricted in both frequency range and power.
In many countries, amateur licensing is a routine civil administrative function. Amateurs are required to pass an examination demonstrating technical knowledge, operating competence and awareness of legal and regulatory requirements in order to avoid causing interference.
When an Amateur Radio operator is licensed, they receive a "call sign" which is unique to each person. Mine, for example, is KJ4SDV. Federal regulations in the United States require that amateurs identify using their call sign every ten (10) minutes when they are broadcasting on the air.

What privileges are extended to Amateurs

Unlike other Radio Frequency (RF) users, Amateurs can buy or modify transmitting equipment for their personal use without receiving government certification for the equipment. Licensed Amateurs can also utilize any frequency in their band(s) as opposed to having to use allocated fixed frequencies or channels. In addition, they can also operate medium to high-powered equipment on a wide-range of frequencies as long as they adhere to certain technical parameters including power and maintenance of spurious emission(s).
As was noted earlier, Amateurs have access to frequencies throughout the RF spectrum enabling a choice of frequencies making communications possible across a city, a country, a continent, or the entire world. The shortwave bands - also known as HF - allow world-wide communications while the Very High Frequency (VHF) or Ultra High Frequency (UHF) bands offer excellent regional communications. Microwave bands have adequate bandwidth to allow for television broadcasts or high-speed data networks.
Although allowable power levels are considered "moderate" by commercial standards, they are sufficient to allow global communications. These power limits vary from country to country as well as between license classes in the same country.

Country Power limit

Canada 2.25 Kilowatts (kW)
Yugoslavia 2 Kilowatts (kW)
United States 1.5 Kilowatts (kW)
Belgium 1 Kilowatt (kW)
Switzerland 1 Kilowatt (kW)
West Germany 750 Watts (W)
Italy 500 Watts (W)
Australia 400 Watts (W)
India 400 Watts (W)
United Kingdom 400 Watts (W)

While traveling abroad, amateur operators must follow the rules of the country in where they wish to operate. Some countries - such as the United States - have reciprocal operating agreements which allow amateurs from other countries to operate within the borders of the country they are visiting using their license from their home country.