So what exactly is amateur radio? Well it’s similar to the fable of the SIX blind men describing an elephant. Ham radio has something for everyone and amateur radio operators, “hams” come from all walks of life, EDUCATION levels, and professions.

Amateur radio means many things and has many definitions: But the best synonym  for ham radio is “FUN”.

But you say wait, isn’t ham radio just CB Radio? No, that is like comparing a raggedy ann Doll to a daughter.

So what sets Amateur “Ham” Radio apart from CB RADIO, FAMILY RADIO SERVICE OR OTHERS?

FIRST OFF, YOU MUST OBTAIN A LICENSE FROM THE FCC TO BECOME A HAM. THE LICENSE IS YOUR KEY INTO A ECLECTIC FRATERNITY OF PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

IN THE USA, BOYS AND GIRLS AS YOUNG AS 6 YEARS OLD HAVE PASSED THEIR HAM RADIO EXAM. THERE IS NO AGE LIMIT. THE QUESTIONS ON THE FCC EXAM ARE BALANCED BETWEEN SOME RULES AND REGULATIONS, OHM’S LAW, AND JUST ENOUGH RADIO THEORY TO PROVE YOU UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF RADIO THEORY.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY THREE LEVELS OF LICENSED HAM RADIO OPERATORS IN THE USA. EACH HIGHER LEVEL GIVES YOU MORE RIGHTS AS A HAM RADIO OPERATOR. THE TEST ARE ALWAYS MULTIPLE CHOICE, AND YOU CAN FIND AND TAKE SAMPLE TEST ONLINE. LEARNING MORSE CODE IS NO LONGER A PREREQUISITE TO OBTAIN A AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE, BUT MORSE CODE IS STILL IN USE THROUGH OUT THE WORLD ON THE HAM BANDS AND COMMERCIAL INTEREST.

IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES I WILL ATTEMPT TO DESCRIBE AMATEUR RADIO TO YOU. BUT BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY SPECIALTIES IN THE HOBBY IT WILL INDEED BE A LITTLE LIKE THE FOUR BLIND MEN DESCRIBING AN ELEPHANT.