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)