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READ ON ---- WHAT IS AMATEUR RADIO?

Amateur Radio, also known as "Ham Radio", is a hobby and a service.
Hams, who must be licensed by their governments, operate two-way radio
stations from their homes and cars, talking with other hams across town
or across the world. Amateurs may communicate only with other radio
amateurs. Special sets of radio frequencies, or bands, are set aside
for use only by Amateur Radio operators.

A PIONEERING HOBBY

The hallmark of Amateur Radio through the years has been technical
advancement. Hams pioneered long-distance use of the short-wave bands
and today have expanded the range of formerly "local" bands through the
use of automatic relay stations, called "repeaters". They even use
satellites to enhance their transmissions. With special hook-ups, it's
possible for a ham with a small hand-held radio to communicate with
other hams half a world away.

A PUBLIC SERVICE

Amateur Radio is primarily a hobby, for personal enjoyment. But in
times of need, it is transformed into a corps of highly trained public
service communicators, ready, willing and able to help their neighbors.
Hams are probably best known for their work during disasters.

WHO ARE HAMS?

Just about anyone can be a ham. Men, women, boys, girls, hams range in
age from under 8 to over 80. There are no limits. Many handicapped
people find a door to the world in Amateur Radio. Many famous people
are hams, but most are just plain folks who like making friends around
the world.

HAMS ARE NOT CB'ers. While many hams started out in CB radio, the two
services are entirely separate. CB (Citizens Band) radio is intended
for local communications on personal or business matters. No license is required. Amateur radio is a world-wide service, for noncommercial communication only. A license is needed. Hams also have a much wider
choice of frequencies and methods of communications than CB'ers.


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