What is Amateur Radio?
It's a way to talk with people around the world, or even orbiting the world; to send e-mail without any sort of internet connection and to keep in touch with friends across town or across the country. It is also a very important emergency communications system. When cell phones, regular phones, the internet and other systems are down or overloaded, ham radio still gets the message through. Ham radio is a “hobby” – that’s the fun part. But it's also a “service” – a vital service that has saved lives again and again when regular communication systems have failed.
What's the Appeal of Ham Radio?
Some hams are attracted by the ability to communicate across the country, around the globe, even with astronauts on the International Space Station. For some it opens the door to new friendships over the air or through participation in one of the many Ham Radio clubs across the country.
Others build and experiment with electronics. Hams are at the cutting edge of many technologies. Computer hobbyists enjoy experimenting in wireless digital communications, software defined radios (SDR), long-distance digital and image transmissions. ‘Off the grid’ power sources and other concepts undreamed of just a few years ago are common in the ham community.
While a Morse code key may still be on the desk, it is probably next to a modern, computerized radio communications system capable of operating, with or without supportive infrastructure, under the most extreme conditions.
ARRL – American Radio Relay League (in the United States)
RAC – Radio Amateurs of Canada (in Canada)