I posted this as a comment to another discussion but thought others might want to see it.

I am a ham and a big fan of amateur radio. The skills and knowledge we pick up by preparing for the license exam and later by day to day use, research, and experimentation are things you won’t get anywhere else. However, i think there are some misconceptions out there about it.

VERY SHORT PRIMER: Amateur radio is the wattage-limited transmission and reception of over-the-air radio communication for noncommercial use and is regulated by the federal government. Anyone can legally own amateur radio equipment and receive amateur radio signals but a license is required for any sort of transmission.

Amateur radio users (hams) pass a license exam and are granted call letters by the FCC (who regulate the airwaves). They are granted access to segments of the radio spectrum based on the license level they receive (there are 3 levels). The licenses are good for 10 years but may be revoked for abuse or rule breaking. Large fines are also possible for flagrant or repeat violators.

Amateur radio is open only to specific frequency ranges so that it does not conflict with other band allocations like police/EMS/air traffic control, etc.. Amateur radio transmitters are required to identify themselves by call sign. Amateur radio is public and open. Any sort of coding, encryption or scrambling is not allowed.

Amateur radio use happens over UHF/VHF or HF frequencies as allotted. UHF/VHF can be used mostly in local areas (either direct/“simplex”, or via amplifying systems called repeaters) and are similar in sound quality to your basic FM radio. HF radio traffic can happen across several different frequency ranges, or “bands”, and can be used for local to global communication when atmospheric conditions permit. HF can sound faint, full of static, and pitchy, depending on conditions, or can at times be unavailable altogether over certain bands. Each band requires a matching antenna that is best mounted from a tower or roof top.

On either VHF or HF, radio traffic is receivable by ALL. People talk over one another (usually not intentionally) and the only “traffic control” comes from established user customs and FCC rules.

VHF equipment can be cheap (less than 100 bucks to communicate on local repeaters or with nearby hams). HF equipment is more expensive. You might spend 1,000 bucks on a decent radio and another 500 or more on antennas, power supply to get on the air at all.

CB radio is not ham radio. Citizens’ Band has its own HF frequency range and does not require a license. Most small Motorola-type walkie talkies are Not ham radio, though some use frequencies on GMRS that require a license. They are very limited by range and terrain.

Hope that helps. Glad to answer any questions or take any corrections from more experienced hams out there.

I posted this as a comment to another discussion but thought others might want to see it.

I am a ham and a big fan of amateur radio. The skills and knowledge we pick up by preparing for the license exam and later by day to day use, research, and experimentation are things you won’t get anywhere else. However, i think there are some misconceptions out there about it.

VERY SHORT PRIMER: Amateur radio is the wattage-limited transmission and reception of over-the-air radio communication for noncommercial use and is regulated by the federal government. Anyone can legally own amateur radio equipment and receive amateur radio signals but a license is required for any sort of transmission.

Amateur radio users (hams) pass a license exam and are granted call letters by the FCC (who regulate the airwaves). They are granted access to segments of the radio spectrum based on the license level they receive (there are 3 levels). The licenses are good for 10 years but may be revoked for abuse or rule breaking. Large fines are also possible for flagrant or repeat violators.

Amateur radio is open only to specific frequency ranges so that it does not conflict with other band allocations like police/EMS/air traffic control, etc.. Amateur radio transmitters are required to identify themselves by call sign. Amateur radio is public and open. Any sort of coding, encryption or scrambling is not allowed.

Amateur radio use happens lover UHF/VHF or HF frequencies as allotted. UHF/VHF can be used mostly in local areas (either direct or “simplex” or via amplifying systems called repeaters) and are similar in sound quality to your basic FM radio. HF radio traffic can happen across several different frequency ranges, or “bands”, and can be used for local to global communication when atmospheric conditions permit. HF can sound faint, full of static, and pitchy, depending on conditions, or can at times be unavailable altogether over certain bands. Each band requires a matching antenna that is best mounted from a tower or roof top.

On either VHF or HF, radio traffic is receivable by ALL. People talk over one another (usually not intentionally) and the only “traffic control” comes from established user customs and FCC rules.

VHF equipment can be cheap (less than 100 bucks to communicate on local repeaters or with nearby hams). HF equipment is more expensive. You might spend 1,000 bucks on a decent radio and another 500 or more on antennas, power supply to get on the air at all.

CB radio is not ham radio. Citizens’ Band has its own HF frequency range and does not require a license. Most small Motorola-type walkie talkies are Not ham radio, though some use frequencies on GMRS that require a license. They are very limited by range and terrain.

Hope that helps. Glad to answer any questions or take any corrections from more experienced hams out there.

I posted this as a comment to another discussion but thought others might want to see it.

I am a ham and a big fan of amateur radio. The skills and knowledge we pick up by preparing for the license exam and later by day to day use, research, and experimentation are things you won’t get anywhere else. However, i think there are some misconceptions out there about it. VERY SHORT PRIMER: Amateur radio is the wattage-limited transmission and reception of over-the-air radio communication for noncommercial use and is regulated by the federal government. Anyone can legally own amateur radio equipment receive amateur radio signals but a license is required for any sort of transmission. Amateur radio users (hams) pass a license exam and are granted call letters by the FCC (who regulate the airwaves). They are granted access to segments of the radio spectrum based on the license level they receive (there are 3 levels). The licenses are good for 10 years but may be revoked for abuse or rule breaking. Large fines are also possible for flagrant or repeat violators. Amateur radio is open only to specific frequency ranges so that it does not conflict with other band allocations like police/EMS/air traffic control, etc.. Amateur radio transmitters are required to identify themselves by call sign. Amateur radio is public and open. Any sort of coding, encryption or scrambling is not allowed. Amateur radio use happens lover UHF/VHF or HF frequencies as allotted. UHF/VHF can be used mostly in local areas (either direct or “simplex” or via amplifying systems called repeaters) and are similar in sound quality to your basic FM radio. HF radio traffic can happen across several different frequency ranges, or “bands”, and can be used for local to global communication when atmospheric conditions permit. HF can sound faint, full of static, and pitchy, depending on conditions, or can at times be unavailable altogether over certain bands. Each band requires a matching antenna that is best mounted from a tower or roof top. On either VHF or HF, radio traffic is receivable by ALL. People talk over one another (usually not intentionally) and the only “traffic control” comes from established user customs and FCC rules. VHF equipment can be cheap (less than 100 bucks to communicate on local repeaters or with nearby hams). HF equipment is more expensive. You might spend 1,000 bucks on a decent radio and another 500 or more on antennas, power supply to get on the air at all. CB radio is not ham radio. Citizens’ Band has its own HF frequency range and does not require a license. Most small Motorola-type walkie talkies are Not ham radio, though some use frequencies on GMRS that require a license. They are very limited by range and terrain. Hope that helps. Glad to answer any questions or take any corrections from more experienced hams out there.