Operating a Ham Radio

By Linda Orlando

Maybe your mental image of a ham radio operator is the Jodie Foster character in the movie Contact, listening in vain for a voice coming through the airwaves, then carefully marking that person’s location on a map. Maybe you think of the Leon Ames character in the end-of-the-world drama Testament, forlornly calling out to whoever is listening, hoping for a response. Perhaps you think of Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel communicating across decades in the movie Frequency.Or maybe you just think of the ham radios used by disaster workers to communicate with volunteers and each other. But the world of ham radio operators is much larger than that, and is made up of a wide variety of people who affectionately call each other "hams."

Hams use all sorts of radios and antennas on hundreds of frequencies to communicate with other hams across town or around the world. Most hams are interested in the hobby for one of three reasons: the technology used, the operation of the radio, or the social interaction it provides. Hams talk to each other using computers, cameras, lasers, Morse code, and of course, microphones. They use their radios for personal enjoyment or work, for keeping in touch with friends or family, and for making new friends. Sometimes they meet in person, either individually or through ham radio clubs or organizations. There are special ham radio conventions, flea markets, and events throughout the year and all over the world, involving people of all ages. Some have technical backgrounds, but most do not, but all hams have an interest in radio and communications.

Before operating a ham radio, you must obtain a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). To earn your license, you must pass an exam, and the complexity of the exam is based on the type of license you are applying for. The top rated license exams require that you have extensive knowledge of the principles of radio, but the entry class license requires only a simple exam that anyone should be able to pass after studying for just a few hours.

One of the aspects of ham radios that appeals to may people is the fact that ham radio operation is full of electronics and technology. Transmitting and receiving radio signals requires at least a rudimentary understanding of electronics and radio frequencies in order to get the most from the hobby. Ham radio is organized in "bands" located at different frequencies on the radio dial, similar to the tuning knob on a car radio. These bands are usually referred to by the approximate length of the radio wave at that particular frequency. The three main groups of radio bands are HF (160 through 10 meters), VHF (6 and 2 meters), and UHF (1.25 meters and 70 centimeters). Different bands are used for different purposes. Ham radio transmissions usually use HF bands because they are located high above the earth, permitting communications nationwide, and worldwide if atmospheric conditions are favorable. Because new radio technology is continuously evolving, hams are continuously learning. You can be a ham for 30 years or more and still not know everything there is to know about operating a ham radio.

You can build your own equipment or order a factory-built system. Everything you'll need to get your system up and running is available in local stores or on the Internet. There are hundreds of websites devoted to ham radio operation, radio setups, events and get-togethers for hams, and just about any ham radio-related topic you are interested in. All you need to get started is the desire to ham it up!