• Interested In Ham Radio? (A)

    From Daryl Stout@954:895/7 to All on Sunday, June 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 (954:895/7)