TZUTC: -0500   
   MSGID: 490.fidonet-ls_arrl@1:2320/33 28e1530a   
   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   
   HAMS ARE "HI-TECH"   
       
   Amateur Radio has been a "Hi-Tech" hobby longer than the phrase   
   "Hi-Tech" has existed!!! Technical advancement is in our charter from   
   the Federal government. The rules setting up Amateur Radio say one   
   reason the service exists is to continue and extent "the amateur's   
   proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art."   
       
   THE "FIRST" HAM   
       
   He never had a license, but there were no licenses when Giglielmo   
   Marconi invented radio in 1895. Marconi himself said he always   
   considered himself an amateur. We proudly include him in our ranks.   
       
   TRAILBLAZERS   
       
   In the early days of radio, the "short wave" bands were thought to be   
   useless and were given to hams for experimenting. Experiment they did,   
   and hams discovered that, far from being useless, these frequencies   
   could provide world-wide communication with relatively small amounts of   
   power. This experimentation in untested areas continues today, and many   
   technical developments pioneered by hams have been adopted by   
   professional radio and TV users, helping improve overall   
   telecommunication abilities.   
       
   HAM RADIO IN THE COMPUTER AGE   
       
   Ham Radio and computers are a switch on the old song about love and   
   marriage. You can have one without the other, but having both is a lot   
   more fun!!! Personal computers are finding their way into more and more   
   Amateur Radio stations as their cost comes down and the number of   
   ham-related uses goes up. Computers can be used on the air - to "talk"   
   with other computer-equipped hams, or they can be used in the "shack"   
   to keep track of contacts, write "QSL" cards to confirm a contact, or   
   even to control equipment and antennas.   
       
   "TALKING WITH COMPUTERS"   
       
   The popularity of personal computers has been directly responsible for   
   a big surge in the use of Radio-teletype or RTTY, on the ham bands.   
   Stations talking with RTTY or PACKET type their messages to each other   
   on computer keyboards and read incoming messages on their monitor   
   screens. The conversation can also be printed out, giving you a   
   permanent record of the contact. Computers can also be "taught" to send   
   and receive Morse Code, and many hams use the computers own language,   
   ASCII, to exchange programs and other information. An overview of   
   packet is elsewhere in this door.   
       
   A more recent mode, VoIP, or Voice Over Internet Protocol...allows for   
   such modes as Echolink, IRLP, Wires-II, etc. to allow ham radio operators   
   to talk to stations in many parts of the world...even with just a   
   Technician class license. An overview of Echolink is elsewhere in this   
   area.   
        
   THE AUTOMATED STATION   
       
   Computers may be used to automate certain parts of a ham station's   
   operation - even if the station owner isn't home! If a computer   
   equipped ham knows a message will be coming in at a certain time, the   
   computer can be programmed to turn on the radio at the right time,   
   "copy" the message, remember it and play it back later. Hams using the   
   OSCAR satellites can program even the simplest home computer to figure   
   out where the satellite will be at what time - and to automatically   
   move the antenna to follow OSCAR's path.   
       
   CAREER OPPORTUNITIES   
       
   The spread of computers and technology into virtually every area of   
   our lives is already translating into vast new career opportunities for   
   technically minded people. Ham radio is an ideal way to "get your foot   
   in the door" of this expanding marketplace. It provides basic   
   electronic training and practice, plus the opportunity to specialize.   
   Many hams will tell you their hobby has been a key factor in landing   
   their jobs.   
       
   AMATEUR RADIO vs CB RADIO   
   =========================   
       
   AmateurRadio and Citizen's Band (CB) are two systems of two-way   
   communications regulated and authorized in the US by the Federal   
   Communications Commission (FCC). Amateur Radio licensees are   
   sometimes informally called "hams."   
       
   USES PERMITTED   
       
   Amateur Radio: Noncommercial public service-oriented communication service.   
   Hobby and experimental communications. Home computing by radio. Emergency   
   and routine public service. Providing reliable two-way radio contact for   
   special community events and activities. Transmission and delivery of free   
   Radiograms on behalf of the general public.   
       
   CB: Business and casual conversations. Public aid channel for emergencies.   
       
   OPERATING RANGE   
       
   Amateur Radio: Unlimited. Amateurs have communicated with orbiting   
   astronauts. International communications are commonplace.   
       
   CB: Limited by Federal Law to less than 150 miles. CB users typically   
   talk within less than 4-5 miles.   
       
   FREQUENCIES OFFERED   
       
   Amateur Radio: More than two dozen Amateur frequency bands are spread   
   across the entire airwave spectrum, from 1.8 MHz to 250 GHz.   
       
   CB: One frequency band of 40 channels, from 26.96 to 27.41 MHz.   
       
   POWER PERMITTED   
       
   Amateur Radio: Up to 1500 watts, if needed. Essentially unlimited antenna   
   height and configuration.   
       
   CB: Less than 5 watts. Antenna height is limited by Federal Law.   
       
   LICENSE REQUIREMENTS   
       
   Amateur Radio: Tests for technical knowledge and operating rules. Exam   
   difficulty progresses by license level.   
       
   CB: Permit no longer necessary. No exams.   
       
   HOW TO TELL WHO IS WHO   
       
   Amateur Radio: Government-issued call signs indicating country/zone of   
   operator and personal identification. Formal station identification is   
   required on the air at frequent intervals. Operators also typically identify   
   themselves in ordinary conversations using their real names. Most states   
   offer licensees special Amateur Radio call sign license plates.   
       
   CB: No formal system of identification. Users typically identify themselves   
   by aliases or "handles."   
       
   SIGNALS ALLOWED   
       
   Amateur Radio: Voice, Morse Code telegraphy, digital computer data,   
   telemetry and visual images using FM, AM, continuous-wave (Morse Code),   
   single sideband, personal computers, teletype, television, satellite,   
   repeater, relay, modulated light beams and spread-spectrum.   
       
   CB: Voice only on AM and single sideband. Wireless control of hobby gear.   
       
   AUTHORIZED EQUIPMENT   
       
   Amateur Radio: Users can design, construct and experiment with home-built   
   equipment, and they can modify, overhaul, repair and improve store-bought   
   gear.   
       
   CB: Federal Law forbids any adjustment, modification or repair by users.   
       
   MAIN ATTRACTION   
       
   Amateur Radio: Ability to experiment by radio, home computer and   
   television. Local, regional and worldwide communications; enhancement of   
   international goodwill. Public service. Mutual cooperation between   
   licensees. Voluntary self-regulation by common tradition.   
       
   CB: Avoiding speed traps. Motorist pastime. Neighborhood contact.   
   Enjoyment limited by profanity, low power, discourtesy and interference.   
       
   JOURNALS, CLUBS AND GROUPS   
       
   Amateur Radio: American Radio Relay League (ARRL), national nonprofit   
   membership association. International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).   
   More than 2000 clubs throughout the country. Several major national   
   publications.   
       
   CB: Some local clubs. Emergency group REACT found in some areas.   
   No national publications.   
       
   FOR MORE INFOMATION ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO CONTACT:   
       
   ARRL   
   225 Main Street   
   Newington, CT 06111-1494   
   Phone: (860) 594-0200   
   --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32   
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:2320/33)   
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