What is amateur radio?

Simply put, it is a group of individuals who have gotten together to talk to each other around the globe using radios that transmit on a frequency that you will not pick up on your regular household radio. It is similar to a chat group on the Internet except that we are not limited by modems, utility poles, or subscription rates. The cost of operating amateur radio is free. Well, that means there is no charge to talk to others. However, just as you had to buy your computer and modem to get on the Internet, you'll need a special radio to transmit on amateur radio. But cheer up. You already have half of the equipment that you will need to do some of the fascinating aspects of amateur radio - Your computer.

Too shy to talk?

Not a problem. Amateur radio has a variety of mediums that you can use rather than talking into a microphone. You can learn a new language called Morse code (CW). It's easier than learning Pascal or Java or HTML (used to write this page). Then you can tap on a Morse code key   and talk to others that know this language and have a fairly private conversation since only those that know this language can decipher what you are saying.

You want pictures?

Easy enough. Amateur radio has real time slow scan TV (SSTV). You can send and receive pictures or see the person on the other end in near real time by connecting your computer to your amateur radio gear. No downloading big .AVI or MPEG files. You can also connect your video camera to your amateur equipment, without the computer, and transmit real time video (ATV) for reception on a TV screen at the other end. Sort of a video-phone circuit.

Too easy?

OK. Then try bouncing your signal off of the Moon or sending it underwater or underground. You can try to send your signal through one of the many satellites that the Ham Radio community has orbitting the earth. Or, you can try Packet Radio which uses your radio equipment and your computer to communicate with others without using phone lines. There are bulletin boards, databases, chat groups and more. There is no limit to what you can try to achieve.

Are you competitive?

If you are competitive then you will definitely want to get in on the contests. There is always a contest going on somewhere around the world.

• See who can talk the furthest using the least amount of power.
• How many different States or countries can you talk to?
• How many islands can you contact?
• Who can talk to the most people from the furthest part of the globe in a set amount of time using a car battery or photocell for power?

So what do you get in return?

It's depends on what you are looking for. What do you get from surfing the Net? If you are looking for a return on your efforts then you can find rewards here and there.

• How about learning of different cultures and opinions!
• How about talking to a person who is studying the physics of asteroids!
• How about discussing song writing with a country music star! Hate country music?
• How about a rock and roll star!
• Why not learn about space from one of the astronauts in the shuttle!
• Or city life from a cab driver!

When you call CQ on the amateur frequencies, the possibilities of who you can talk to are endless! Whenever you talk to another amateur radio operator, anywhere in the world, you can ask him/her to send you a verification of your contact with him. A verification is in the form of a postcard called a "QSL card" which ham radio operators exchange. You can collect regular and rare cards from all over the world and wallpaper your radio shack with them. You can also collect certificates and awards for contacting rare stations or just for having collected cards from every state in the United States.

Want a real reward? How about saving a life.

Amateur radio operators all come together in a crisis or emergency. We work with the Red Cross and other emergency management authorities all over the world right from our own houses and apartments. Did you ever see on the news where there was a disaster in a foreign country and it knocked out the overseas phone lines, radio and TV stations and there is no word coming from that country? Then they interview some amateur radio operator who is sending and receiving messages and information from that disaster area? Well that operator could be you.

Do you enjoy searching the web for an item? How about searching for a crashed plane or small child in the woods? Amateur radio operators do all of this and much more on a regular basis. You won't get rich or famous but you will have the satisfaction of knowing you may have saved a life.

Learning More

Yes, you will have lots of fun and get more use out of your computer than just clicking from one web page to another. You can work your own station all by yourself or you can join an amateur radio club and see what others are doing and how they are doing it. You can get help on how to set up and run your gear. You can run your amateur station on an XT or 286 or even a Pentium if you want to. Go to shows. Yes, there are amateur radio shows just like computer shows where you can buy and swap equipment.

Where do you find out more? Local amateur radio groups always get coverage in newspapers and magazines. Look around. We aren't hard to find. If you want to find out more about amateur radio right now, then you are in the right place. The Internet has lots of web pages that you can click around to and find out more about amateur radio, radio clubs and activities. Use your web searcher and type in "Amateur radio" or "ARRL" and see where it takes you. If you live in Southern New Jersey then you can start by clicking ***RIGHT HERE*** and find out about an amateur radio club near you. Start using your computer for more than balancing your checkbook or surfing the Net. Go Wireless !

Many thanks to N2GIY for providing most of the above text about amateur radio.