WHAT IS AMATEUR RADIO, YOU ASK...?

            WHAT IS AMATEUR RADIO, YOU ASK...?

   Amateur Radio (often called "Ham Radio") is a hobby and an
important public service authorized by the U.S. Federal
Communications Commission in Part 97 of the FCC Rules and
Regulations.   It's stated 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
communication 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 communication 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 operator.
It requires the applicant to pass an elementary written test
and to demonstrate the ability to understand Morse Code when
sent at just 5 words per minute (wpm).  Novices are authorized
to use the following radio frequency ranges, or "bands" (bands
are often referred to by their approximate wavelength, as well
as 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 MHz) bands.  The Novice license examination
is administered by two Volunteer Examiners (VE's).  These may
be any Amateur Radio operators who hold a current General,
Advanced and/or Amateur Extra operator license.  There is no
charge for taking the Novice class examination.

    The second step up the ladder is the Technician operator.
Another written examination, Element 3(A) is required.  This
license authorizes privileges on all Amateur bands from 6
meters (50 MHz) on up to 248 GHz, plus all Novice privileges.

    The third step up the ladder is General operator.  Another
written examination, Element 3(B) must be passed, as well as a
test to demonstrate the ability to understand Morse Code at 13
wpm.  This license authorizes the use of designated portions of
all Amateur service frequency bands.

    The fourth step up the ladder 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 to 30 MHz.

    The final step up the ladder is Amateur Extra operator.
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 service HF bands.

    For all licenses above Novice operator, the examinations
are administered by at least three local Amateur operators
serving as Volunteer Examiners (VE's).  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 VE's may charge the candidate a fee as stipulated
by the FCC for certain reimbursable expenses incurred in
preparing, processing, or administering the examination
(currently $4.95 per exam session, regardless of how many
Elements are taken).

    Many 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 very 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
cash outlay.

     Amateur Radio is a truly unique and thrilling avocation
that can give years of unforgettable pleasure and allow you to
serve your community in a very distinctive way.


                  GETTING INTO AMATEUR RADIO

    Anyone interested in becoming involved with Amateur Radio
can find out more very simply by contacting the American Radio
Relay League (ARRL).  This is the leading nonprofit organization
dedicated to Amateur Radio, and is made up of thousands of
members all over the United States.  You can also 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 me via telephone,
U.S. Mail, 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 ('cept if you
get a license of a class higher than Novice--which I
recommend--because the higher class licenses must be given by
Volunteer Examiner teams, and they ususally charge the
FCC-regulated maximum of $4.95 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.  In fact, I only "bought" my first radio this
year, for around $400; until then, I used borrowed/giveaway jobs,
and maybe spent a total of $40 on Flea Market used stuff (over a
10-year period!).  And I've been licensed since 1976.

  And, 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 additional privileges.)

  Just think:  You set a goal of being licensed by, say, the first
of May...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-June)...and from
then on, FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE you are a bona-fide, official,
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.

  Just think of how proud you'll be, how much fun you'll have (I
guarantee 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!"

  Oh, yeah, 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 NOW!

  You'll thank me someday!!

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

  Amateur Radio and Citizen's Band (CB) are two systems of two-way
communication regulated and authorized in the United States 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 kHz to 250
  GHz.
CB:  One frequency band of 40 channels, from 26.96 to 27.41 MHz.

POWER PERMITTED:

Amateur Radio:  Up to 1,500 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, as well as personal identification.
  Formal station identification is required 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 prohibits 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).  Over 2,000 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, Conn. 06111
                Voice (203) 666-1541
                BBS   (203) 665-0090  2400-8-N-1
                        SysOp: Luck Hurder, KY1T


  Best of luck to you, and hope to hear you on the bands soon!

73...WA1YUA