What Is HAM Radio

Q. What's a HAM Radio? Does that have anything to do with the ham I will eat for Christmas?
A. Well it does not taste as nice, but it's fun! Check below for the answers.

	Ham radio operators use two-way radio stations (SUCH AS THE ONE TO THE LEFT) to make hundreds of friends around town and around the world. They can attach to these ham radios equipment so that communication could be had in voice, computers, and Morse code. Some hams bounce their signals off the upper regions of the atmosphere, while other hams use satellites. Many use hand-held radios (SUCH AS THE ONE BELOW)
	According to the ARRL: "Hams can exchange pictures of each other using television. Some also like to work on electronic circuits, building their own radios and antennas. A few pioneers in Amateur Radio have even contributed to advances in technology that we all enjoy today. There are even ham-astronauts who take radios with them on space shuttle missions and thrill thousands of hams on earth with a call from space! Using even the simplest of radio setups and antennas, amateurs communicate with each other for fun, during emergencies, and even in contests. They handle messages for police and other public service organizations during all kinds of emergencies including: Hurricanes Earthquakes Tornadoes and floods Motorist accidents Fires and chemical spills Search and rescues."
In the USA the most popular license for beginners is the Technician Class license, which requires only a 35 multiple-choice question written examination. The next step above that is the Technician Class license (radio privileges above 30 megahertz (MHz). These privileges include the very popular 2-meter band. In trinidad there is one standard class to begin with and the exams come from the UK.
According to the ARRL: "Many Technician licensees enjoy using small (2 meter) hand-held radios to stay in touch with other hams in their area. Technicians may operate FM voice, digital packet (computers), television, single-sideband voice and several other interesting modes. You can even make international radio contacts via satellites, using relatively simple equipment. Getting started in Amateur Radio has never been easier. First, locate a radio club in your area. Some radio clubs offer ham radio licensing classes, or they can find a club volunteer to answer your questions. You may even be invited to attend a local radio club meeting. ARRL publishes popular ham radio license study guides to help you learn the things you'll need to pass your exam and have fun with Amateur Radio. The Amateur Radio license examinations are administered by ham radio volunteers. When you're ready to take your exam, you'll need to locate an exam session near you. "