HAM Radio 1/HamRadio.cdr/misc/whatis/whatisa.ham

Text File | 1991-05-13 | 14KB | 243 lines

                   WHAT IS AMATEUR RADIO, YOU ASK...?

     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.
    The FCC grants five classes of licenses to operate Amateur Radio
stations, each requiring the candidate to demonstrate progressive levels
of ability and knowledge. The license classes are as follows (from lowest
to highest), each successively allowing greater operating privileges and
access to more usable radio frequencies):


     For most persons, the initial license is Novice class. It requires
the applicant to pass an elementary written test and to demonstrate the
ability to understand Morse code when sent at just five words per minute
(5 WPM). Novices are authorized to use the following radio frequency
ranges or "bands" (bands are often referred to by their approximate
metric wavelength or by frequency): 1.25 meters (222.1-223.91 MHz), 23
centimeters (1270-1295 MHz), 10 meters (28.1-28.5 MHz), 15 meters (21.1-
21.2 MHz), 40 meters (7100-7150 kHz) and 80 meters (3700-3750 kHz) bands.
    The Novice license examination is administered by two Volunteer
Examiners (VEs). These may be any Amateur Radio operators who hold
current General, Advanced or Extra Class operator licenses. There is no
charge for taking the Novice class examination.
    The other entry-level license class is the Technician operator.
Since February 14, 1991, no Morse code test is required, but the Novice
written test (Element 2) and another written examination, Element 3(A)
is required. This license authorizes privileges on all Amateur bands
from 6 meters (50 MHz) up to 248 GHz. A Technician may obtain all Novice
privileges below 30 MHz by passing the 5-WPM Morse code exam.
    The third step up the ladder is General operator. Another written
examination, Element 3(B) must be passed, and a test to demonstrate
the ability to understand Morse code at 13 WPM. This license authorizes
the use of designated portions of all amateur frequency bands.
    The fourth step up is Advanced operator. Another written examination,
Element 4(A) is required. This license authorizes additional frequency
privileges on amateur service high-frequency (HF) bands from 1.8-30 MHz.
    The final step up the ladder is Extra Class. Another written
examination, Element 4(B) and 20-WPM Morse code proficiency is required.
    This license authorizes all Amateur Radio privileges and frequencies,
including additional frequencies in the amateur HF bands.
    For licenses above Novice operator, the examinations are administered
by at least three local amateur operators serving as Volunteer Examiners
(VEs). They provide information as to when and where examination sessions
are being held. Their efforts are coordinated by a Volunteer Examiner
Coordinator (VEC). The VEC makes public the questions used in the written
examinations. Study aids are available from many Amateur Radio
publications and equipment dealers. The administering VEs may charge the
candidate a fee as stipulated by the FCC for certain reimbursable
expenses incurred in preparing, processing or administering the
examination (currently $5.25 per exam session, regardless of how many
Elements are taken).

     Licensed amateurs enjoy joining and participating in local Amateur
Radio clubs. These clubs provide comradeship, coordinate special
activities, support members via exchange of information and often have
members who conduct free FCC exam preparation classes for people
interested in getting licensed.
     Amateur Radio is a versatile and flexible hobby. Some people get on
the air with minimal equipment, home-building, borrowing or purchasing
used transmitting and receiver gear for low costs. At the other extreme,
amateurs can easily invest tens of thousands of dollars in the latest
transceivers, antennas, towers, computers, accessories and other gadgets
that reflect the top equipment from major manufacturers. Most Amateur
Radio stations fall somewhere between the two. Amateurs tend to collect,
swap and sell gear, and over the years may accumulate an impressive
setup for a relatively low total cash investment.
     Amateur Radio is a truly unique and thrilling avocation gives years
of unforgettable pleasure and allow you to serve your community in a
proud, distinctive way.

     Anyone interested in Amateur Radio can find out more by contacting
the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). This is the leading nonprofit
organization dedicated to Amateur Radio and is made up of more than
170,000 members all over the US. You can look through local hometown
newspapers for listings of local Amateur Radio club meetings; knock on the
door of anyone whose home sports a bizarre array of radio antennas; or
contact the ARRL via telephone, US Mail, fax or BBS.
     If you think you may not be able to get too involved in Amateur Radio
right now because you can't afford the fancy gear, let me point out two
facts:
     1) Just getting licensed won't cost you anything (except if you get
a license of a class higher than Novice--which is recommended--because
the higher-class licenses must be given by Volunteer Examiner teams and
they usually charge the FCC-regulated maximum of $5.25 to cover the costs
of exam-preparation materials--no personal gain or profit!).
     2) Believe it or not, you can get on the air and have a ball on a
shoestring! Lots of amateurs get their first rig as a loaner/gift/cheap
sale from other amateurs who have accumulated spare equipment. A true
story: One ham bought his first "new" radio last year, for around $400;
until then, he used borrowed/giveaway jobs and maybe spent a total of $40
on flea market used stuff (over a 10-year period!) and he's been licensed
since 1976.

    By the way, if you're relatively young and unencumbered by a spouse,
kids, full-time jobs, excessive outside commitments, etc, this is an
ideal time for you to invest in getting your license. It will probably
take you all of a month (or less) to study the Morse code and theory to
pass your Novice exam, if you can commit to putting in two 20-30 minute
sessions per day. (Maybe an extra week or two to get the Technician
class stuff down, but it's worth it for the privileges.)
     Just think: You set a goal of being licensed by, say, the first of
July...you study/practice code twice a day every day 'til then...you
successfully pass your exams...the FCC issues you your license (that'd
probably get to you by mid-September)...and from then on, for the rest
of your life, you are a bona fide, official, federally licensed Amateur
Radio operator! You could certainly study more later on and upgrade to
a higher class of license, but that's entirely up to you.
     Think of how proud you'll be, how much fun you'll have (it's almost
guaranteed that some other amateur will at least loan you an old rig to
get on the air) and when you hit 35 years old and don't see how you
could possibly sit around learning the stuff to pass an amateur license
exam, you'll be able to smile and say, "Hah! Lucky for me I did it
already, years ago!"
     One more reason to get your license now: It appears that, in
general, the younger you are, the easier it is to learn Morse code.
Obviously, anyone who determines to do it can, but young folks' brains
haven't solidified so much yet and they seem to pick it up in a flash.
     If you want to--or ever think you're going to want to--operate in
Amateur Radio, take my advice: Nail down that license right now--you'll
thank me someday!

                     AMATEUR RADIO vs CB RADIO
                     =========================

     Amateur Radio 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, operating rules
knowledge of Morse code. 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, 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 INFO CONTACT:

 ARRL
 225 Main Street
 Newington, CT 06111
 Telephone: Voice: 203-666-1541
              fax:   [phone]
              BBS:   203-665-0090 [2400-8-N-1]  SysOp: Luck Hurder, KY1T