Some "Hams" (Radio Amateurs) speak into microphones and others prefer to send Morse Code, or "Pound Brass" as it was called in the "Early Days of Wireless." There are many modes of Amateur Radio communication. Personal Computers are often used to communicate with the "Digital" modes. Even Slow Scan Television is used to send images of scenic beauty or the destruction of a disaster to officials.
There is no busy signals or dial tone, and no telephone lines required to communicate. Messages can appear on your computer screen from accross town, across the world or even the International Space Station.
Radio equipment can fit in the palm of your hand, or be a metal box with radio tubes inside that weighs enough to be a "Boatanchor". Modern amateur radio equipment often looks more like a calculator or computer now than the "Glow-in-the-Dark" or tube type radios from the 40s to 70s that are even in use now. Equipment can be built from kit form, built from scratch using published articles, or purchased new or used from Amateur Radio equipment dealers. Ebay Auctions have lots of gear for sale too, or it can be purchased from local "Hams."
Handheld radios are now small enough to put in a pocket or purse. You can operate your radio from your car, bike, boat, airplane, RV, home, wheel chair, mountain top hike, camping trip or anywhere you go.
It does not have to be an expensive hobby. You can get started with a borrowed radio or purchase used and new radios for less than $100. Like in any hobby there are ofcourse expensive radios that can cost $1000 or more. Antennas can be made of a small wire stapled in an attic or extending to a nearby pine tree. They can also be a piece of metal tubing standing proudly next to a building, or on a tower, turned with a rotor to a distant location. There are all kinds of antennas big and small to send signals through the "ether".
To become an FCC licensed Amateur Radio Operator you have to learn some rules and regulations and pass a test. The tests are multiple choice and are given at a place not too far from your home by "Hams" that are FCC registered volunteer examiners. There are now licenses that do not require the learning of Morse Code. The Morse code can be easliy learned if desired. The higher class of license earned will bring you even more Amateur Radio privileges. There are books, videotapes, websites and classes to help you learn what you need to know to pass your license test.
Some Amateur Radio operators serve their community providing radio communications at public events like Parades, Fairs and Expositions. These events and periodic drills keep the operators and their equipment ready for Floods, Hurricane, Earthquake, Search and Rescue, and Fire. These community service oriented Radio Amateurs provide their own equipment and recieve no compensation other than the satisfaction of helping their community.
Nameless Amateur Radio Operators have served their countries in time of war and revolution. Russia's dramatic governmental change was made possible by a couple of off-the-shelf Japanese Amateur Radio Transceivers in communication with Russian military and Members of the International Community of Nations. World History has been changed by the use of this resource of immediate private communications countless times since it's invention.
Most of the Astronauts are Ham Radio Operators and make it possible to communicate with the International Space Station 250 miles above us.
Amateur Radio Clubs are found in most communities, Trinity County is no exception. If you are not in our area, the Trinity County Amateur Radio Website will help you find an Amateur Radio Club near you. Through your local club, you will meet people that will be happy to help you achieve your goals.
One Ham's Story: In the San Francisco Bay Area's Marin County, in 1962, a 15-year-old boy that had been listening to Shortwave Broadcasts around the world found his way to a meeting of his local "Ham Radio" Club, the Marin Amateur Radio Club.
He wanted to have his own radio station. The boy studied for his Novice license, passed the required FCC tests and was "on-the-air". Soon he passed the highest FCC license level and earned his "Extra Class" license.
He was particularly influenced by the Alaskan Earthquake-Tsunami Disaster, as he stayed home from High School helping the Red Cross communicate with Anchorage and other parts of Alaska. It was not until 30years later, he was able to visit Anchorage, and see for himself the devastation pictured in the local museum, and view the changes in the landscape that remain today.
Through the years he has contacted most parts of the world, airplanes, ships-at-sea, Ham Satellites and even the MIR & ISS Space Stations.
Today he operates tube-type radios that glow-in-the-dark from the 1940s, modern digital radio equipment and even carries small homemade radios on on his world travels.
Today, almost 50 years later he resides in Weaverville, and is still enjoying the "magic" of radio. He wants you to have the same enjoyment and satisfaction so much, he typed this page![73-Greg Greenwood/WB6FZH]
Visit an Amateur Radio Club it's members comprise hundreds of years of experience. Someone at a radio club helped us most all of us get started, find new or used equipment, put up our antennas and answered our questions. They are waiting for you to contact them. You may not be able to "beam-up" yet, but sky is nolonger the limit with Amateur Radio as your hobby.
Then you too can experience the magic of Amateur Radio.
ARRL "Now YOU ARE TALKING" $20 Ham Radio License Book- NO MORSE CODE REQUIRED!
- ALL YOU NEED.. Our Local Radio Club will help you.
Last Updated: March 12, 2008