Amateur Radio: From a Hobby to a Career
Author: Connie Kelly

Before there was an Internet, before there were Cellphones, before there was Zoom or WebEx or Skype or anyone of a number of Voice over the Internet (VOIP); there was Ham Radio.  The promise of talking to people not just in our own community but all over the world made the idea of Ham Radio exciting.

But is Ham Radio still relevant today? Absolutely!   In addition to letting us connect with other Hams worldwide, we have the unique ability to help out in the event of an emergency.  An Emergency, you say? But HOW???  Frequently when there is a natural disaster, power goes out. Cell towers and phone lines can come down in high winds or be brought down by trees.  Even if trees can quickly be cleared and lines restored or temporary cell towers be brought in; there is a significant lag between when service is lost and when it is restored.  That is where Ham radio comes in.  Many hams have battery-operated radios or have generators to provide power in an emergency.

Hams can give reports on the extent of the damage or whether there are injuries.  They can send messages to other hams to get to relatives and friends of people in their area.  Even the youngest hams can send a message for a friend or neighbor.

But let’s back up a bit.  Before the storm hams can provide information to the National Weather on what they observe when severe weather is approaching.  Radar is great and had come a long way in recent years, but nothing beats an eyewitness who sees a funnel cloud approaching – from a safe location, of course.

Emergency assistance is but a small part of Ham Radio.  Making new friends and having conversations is a major part of Ham Radio.  It is more immediate than posting a notice on the internet.  When you get on the air and ask if someone wants to talk, you can get an immediate response (as long as someone else hears you).  Talking about what you like to do, the music you like to listen to, the books you like to read and comparing notes with other Hams of all ages helps you understand the world.  Depending on your equipment, you can talk to people who live near you, who are in other states or other countries.  You might even be able to talk to astronauts on the International Space Station!

I forgot to mention that there are contests for hams: Frequently there are contest to see how many stations you can contact in a specific time frame or how many different countries you can reach.  There is even a contest once a year called Field Day where hams try to make as many contacts as possible in the 24-hour period.

Hams also send out a confirmation that they talked to you the first time you make contact.  These “QSL Cards” can come in via “Snail Mail” or e-Mail.  Many hams display these cards on the walls of their “Shack” (or where their radio is located.)

Hams can use voice, video, or even Morse Code on the air depending on their equipment, but most use voice followed by Morse Code (or as Hams call it CW).  Using Video or TV-type signals comes in a distant third.

So Hams can help in emergencies, participate in contests, or just hangout and talk; but how do you get started in Ham Radio?  In order to be a Ham Radio operator you have to take a test first.  This test covers thee major areas:

  1. FCC Rules and Regulations pertaining to Ham Radio.  The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) governs all radio and television, for that matter, communications in the United States.  They tell you what frequencies you can talk on and how powerful a radio you can use among other things.
  2. Operating Procedures. There are specific protocols for letting people know you want to talk, looking for a specific station, and checking how you sound (Signal report).  In addition to the conventions for conducting conversations, there are “shorthand” codes which let other operators know in two or three letters specific situations.
  3. Basic Electronics. Hams learn an introduction to electronics so they can understand how their radios work.  Though only the amount of electronics information a Ham has to know is quite minimal, many hams like to learn as much as they can about electronics and radio.  Some hams design and build their own radios and antennas.  Many Hams become Electrical Engineers because they enjoy electronics and working with equipment.

So you need to get tested on FCC Rules, Operating procedures and electronics; but how do you get started.  Depending on how you learn, you can either get a book (online or from the library) on the material you need to study for your license test or you can find a class being held locally or online.  The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) website has information on taking (and passing) your test.  You can also search the internet for local clubs or hams.  Many IEEE members are also hams and can help you get your license.

Unlike with your cellphone, once you get your equipment, there are no monthly fees.  There is a small fee to take the license test or to renew a license, but there are no ongoing charges (other than for the electricity that is used to power your equipment (your station). And typing and spelling are not a factor.

Getting a Ham Radio license can lead to hours and hours of fun making new friends.  It can also lead to a satisfying and challenging career.  So get your license and get on the air so we can talk to you!

73 (Ham Code for Goodbye and Good Luck)