Amateur Radio (aka ham radio), once a popular hobby of many electrical engineers and other electronic enthusiasts, has less participants but is still alive and well.  By the mid-‘80′s ham radio clubs at technical schools and engineering universities had been largely replaced by computer clubs and activities.  Advances in the internet and wireless technologies drew others away.  And the long-standing requirement to pass a Morse code test to obtain the needed FCC license proved a barrier for many desirous to be a ham.

Amateur radio, often called ham radio, is both a hobby and a service in which participants, called “hams,” use various types of radio communications equipment to communicate with other radio amateurs for public service, recreation and self-training.

Amateur radio operators enjoy personal (and often worldwide) wireless communications with each other and are able to support their communities with emergency and disaster communications if necessary, while increasing their personal knowledge of electronics and radio theory. An estimated six million people throughout the world are regularly involved with amateur radio.

The term “amateur” is not a reflection on the skills of the participants, which are often quite advanced; rather, “amateur” indicates that amateur radio communications are not allowed to be made for commercial or money-making purposes.

Amateur radio. (2008, June 9). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 19:54, June 10, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Amateur_radio&oldid=218094873

An indication that amateur radio is still doing OK however is the recent Dayton Hamvention.  This is the 57^th convention since 1952.  Wireless System Design magazine has an interesting review of this convention.  They report that nearly twenty thousand attended the event and that the conference gave a clear view of the latest activities and products.  The author states, “My main impression was that ham radio is definitely alive and well and just as much fun as ever for us geeky radio guys. It is a great way to play around with the latest technology. Too bad more young people aren’t interested.“

So how do you become a licensed amateur radio operator?

In the United States, the process involves passing a test and completing a form (FCC Form 605).  Proficiency in Morse code was phased out as a requirement for all license classes on February 23, 2007.

From the FCC web site: “Operation of an amateur station requires an amateur operator license grant from the FCC. For individuals entering the amateur service, or upgrading their license operator class, there are three classes of license, each authorizing privileges corresponding to the qualifications required. The classes of license, from highest to lowest are: Amateur Extra Class, General Class, and Technician Class.”

See the FCC site “Amateur Radio Service – Licensing” for more details.

You can get exam preparation material and more information from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).

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