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   PID: Synchronet 3.20a-Win32 master/1c63f4d2c May 24 2023 MSC 1929   
   TID: SBBSecho 3.20-Win32 master/1c63f4d2c May 24 2023 MSC 1929   
   BBSID: TBOLT   
   CHRS: ASCII 1   
               Credit for this article is given to Hamnet BBS   
      
                            WHAT IS AMATEUR RADIO??   
      
   Amateur Radio (often called "ham radio")  is a hobby and an important   
   public service authorized by the US Federal Communications Commission   
   (FCC) in Part 97 of the FCC Rules and Regulations. Its purpose, quoted   
   from SubPart A, Sec 97.1, is as follows:   
       
   "...to provide [a] service...as expressed in the following principles:   
       
   (a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of amateur service to   
   the public as a voluntary noncommercial service, particularly with   
   respect to providing emergency communications.   
       
   (b)  Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to   
   contribute to the advancement of the radio art.   
       
   (c)  Encouragement and improvement of the Amateur Radio service   
   through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the   
   communication and technical phases of the art.   
       
   (d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio   
   service of trained operators, technicians and electronics experts.   
       
   (e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to   
   enhance international goodwill."   
       
   Licensed Amateur Radio operators are people of any age, sex,   
   profession, or nationality...who are fascinated with communications   
   via two-way radio.   
       
   Generally a skilled group, they are required to pass examinations to   
   receive the authorization to operate an Amateur Radio station.   
       
   The typical Amateur has a variety of interests, and the hobby   
   provides for a multitude of individual preferences. Amateurs engage in   
   general chit-chat; emergency operations (including participation in   
   Civil Preparedness); sending, relaying, receiving and delivering free   
   radiograms for the public; providing communications support for civic   
   functions such as local parades, marathons, etc.; making friends with   
   Amateurs in foreign countries; investigating the mysteries of radio   
   signal propagation; building, modifying and designing radio equipment,   
   antennas and accessories; winning awards for operating proficiency in   
   many areas; helping others prepare for Amateur Radio FCC license   
   examinations; and many more exciting and valuable facets of the hobby.   
       
             INTERESTED IN BEING A HAM?   
       
   NO LIMITS   
       
   There are no limits on who can become a ham. Ages range from under 8 to   
   over 80. Hams come from all walks of life. Some are rich. Some are   
   poor. Most are in between. Ham radio is also wide open to handicapped   
   individuals. There are blind hams, deaf hams, paralyzed hams, you name   
   it. There's some way just about anyone can use ham radio to open their   
   door to the world. As long as you're not a representative of a foreign   
   government, and you either live in the United States, or have a U.S.   
   mailing address, you're eligible to take the exams necessary to become   
   a ham radio operator.   
       
   BECOMING A HAM...   
       
   ...can be very easy. With just a little study, just about anyone can   
   qualify for an Amateur Radio license. What you have to study depends on   
   which level of license you want to go for. There are three classes of   
   amateur radio licensees...and there is no longer any Morse Code exam   
   required for any class of U.S. Amateur Radio license. Most people start   
   with:   
       
   THE TECHNICIAN LICENSE   
      
   This is now the entry class license into Amateur Radio. It gives you   
   all Amateur Radio privileges above 50 Megahertz, including the popular   
   "2 meter" band. World-wide contacts, via satellite, are now possible on   
   these bands. Technician Class licensees can also use the Voice Over   
   Internet Protocol (VoIP) modes, such as Echolink...see the Echolink   
   Overview in this area for details.   
      
   To get the "Tech" license, you have to pass an examination covering   
   rules, regulations, and basic electronic theory.   
      
   As of Feb. 23, 2007, Technician class licensees...whether or not they've   
   passed a Morse Code exam...also have these HF privileges:   
      
   80 meters: CW (Morse Code) only: 3.525 Mhz to 3.600 Mhz   
   40 meters: CW (Morse Code) only: 7.025 Mhz to 7.125 Mhz   
   15 meters: CW (Morse Code) only: 21.025 Mhz to 21.200 Mhz   
   10 meters: CW (Morse Code), RTTY, and data only: 28.000 Mhz to 28.300 Mhz   
   10 meters: SSB Phone Only: 28.300 Mhz to 28.500 Mhz   
      
   These HF privileges are identical for Novice Class licensees. Note that   
   NO OTHER HF PRIVILEGES EXIST for Novice or Technician Class licensees.   
       
   THE GENERAL LICENSE   
       
   This is the one most hams hold. It lets you operate voice as well as   
   code on all amateur bands. The theory test deals more with operating   
   on the high frequency bands. All amateur radio privileges, except the   
   500 kilohertz of frequencies on the 80, 40, 20, and 15 meter bands,   
   reserved for Extra Class licensees, are available.   
      
   THE EXTRA LICENSE   
      
   This higher grade of license lets you with all amateur radio privileges,   
   including operating on frequencies closed to other hams. You need to know   
   more theory...a combination of the former Advanced and Extra exams.   
      
   LICENSE COURSES   
       
   More information on the license exams, classes, and callsigns are   
   elsewhere within this area.   
       
   RADIO CLUBS   
       
   Just about every city and town has a nearby Amateur Radio Club. They   
   come in all shapes and sizes. Some specialize in public service, some   
   like "DX", chasing faraway stations. Others are general interest clubs,   
   giving local hams the chance to get together in person, exchange ideas   
   and work on group projects, such as repeater stations, which benefit   
   all and are too expensive for most individuals to buy. And, of course,   
   clubs to socialize.   
       
   THE ARRL   
       
   The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the largest organization of   
   radio amateurs in the United States. It was founded in 1914, and serves   
   as the official voice of Amateur Radio in dealings with government   
   agencies. The ARRL is a not-for-profit organization, governed by a   
   board of directors elected every two years by League members.   
       
   The ARRL also publishes a monthly magazine, QST, plus many books on   
   different aspects of Amateur Radio. Its staff helps members with   
   technical problems and helps "get the word out" on news of interest to   
   the amateur community.   
       
   FOR MORE INFORMATION, Write:   
       
   The American Radio Relay League   
   225 Main Street   
   Newington, CT 06111-1494   
   Phone: (860) 594-0200   
      
   MORSE CODE   
        
     Although Morse Code is no longer required to get a United States amateur   
   radio license, there are several important features of Morse Code:   
      
   * It can save your life. When operating conditions are difficult,   
   Morse Code will often get through when voice won't.   
       
   * Morse Code is the most efficient way to communicate, technically   
   speaking. Less power is needed to cover the same distance with code   
   than with voice.   
       
   * The code is an international language, with its own abbreviations and   
   short-hand. It breaks down language barriers and makes international   
   contacts easier.   
       
   * For some people, particularly the handicapped, the code is sometimes   
   their only way to "talk" on the air.   
       
   * Finally, it's fun. Many people who thought they'd never have a use   
   for Morse Code found that, one they've tried it, they prefer it.   
      
     While Morse Code is no longer required for an amateur radio license   
   exam in the United States, hams can still use CW on any band they have   
   privileges on.   
   --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32   
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:2320/33)   
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