...and why should *I* prefer it to
"professional" radio ?
Amateur Radio is a hobby, an avocation and a source on
continuing interest for more than 600,000 US radio amateurs
and many more "Hams" in nearly every nation on Earth. Amateurs
in the US are licensed by the Federal Communications
Commission after passing an easy test that demonstrates basic
familiarity with principles of radio, proper operating
procedures and the rules and regulations governing amateur use
of the airwaves. Here's a list of some of the more popular
activities that amateurs get involved in:
Voice - conversations on bands that allow either local or worldwide
communications
Packet Radio - data communications over radio
Satellites - working Amateur satellites for worldwide
communication
Television - slow scan and other forms of image transmission
over the Amateur bands
APRS - Using Global Positioning System satellites and packet
radio to automatically report the position of transmitters and
chart them on a computer screen
Plain old telegraphy using International Morse Code to make
contacts all over the world
Emergency Operations and public service work
... and much, much more!
As you can see, Amateur Radio is a lot more than just chatting
with the locals. Though, if that's what you want to do, there's a
place for you in the ranks of radio amateurs too.
License Tests are held by other amateur operators on a volunteer basis
and they charge a nominal fee for each examination.
The Athens Radio Club holds exams bi-monthly in Athens.
For a complete schedule of examinations and other ham events in the US,
check out the ARRL homepage.
You don't have to be a US citizen to hold an amateur license in the US and there are no age requirements.
It's no longer necessary to know Morse code to obtain an amateur license.
The content and opinions expressed on this Web page do not necessarily reflect
the views of nor are
they endorsed by the University of Georgia or the University System of
Georgia.