Special Section Available Online

The March issue of QST includes a special 8-page “tearout” section “Now, New Opportunities for Every Ham!” which focuses on several topics of interest to those gaining new HF privileges either through upgrading or owing to the new FCC rules as well as to veteran licensees.

Covered is mentoring — or Elmering — newcomers as well as other topics including “The Top 10 Reasons to Try Morse Code,” earning ham radio operating awards by using Logbook of the World (LoTW) and a “Welcome to the fascinating world of high frequency (HF) radio!” written by ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ.

Now, New Opportunities For Every Ham

More Info About Ham Radio Here

Tags: ham, amateur, radio, arrl, qst

Amateur Radio | No Comments »

As new Amateur Radio Service rules phase in Friday, February 23, eliminating the Morse code requirement, Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station W1AW will mark the milestone with a weekend-long special event. In addition, a number of Central Connecticut volunteer examiners will be on hand at ARRL Headquarters — both before and after the new rules become effective at 12:01 AM EST — to offer Amateur Radio examinations under both the current and new rules. ARRL Regulatory Information Specialist Dan Henderson, N1ND, is helping to coordinate the celebration. He says Headquarters staff and other volunteers will keep W1AW active for the “Welcome Weekend” event.

More Info

Tags: arrl, amateur, radio, n3gbz, gbz, ham

Amateur Radio | No Comments »

The best ways to learn about Amateur Radio is to talk to hams face-to-face. Hams take pride in their ability to “Elmer” (teach) newcomers the ropes to get them started in the hobby. There is probably an Amateur Radio club near you that will welcome your interest. To find out who to contact in your area, click here.

More Info

Tags: arrl, amateur, radio, ham

Amateur Radio | No Comments »

Founded in 1914, the 150,000-member ARRL - The National Association for Amateur Radio is the national association for Amateur Radio in the USA. Other countries also have their own national associations. The ARRL not only reflects the commitment and many enthusiasms of American hams, but also provides leadership as the voice of Amateur Radio in the USA, whether in dealings with the Federal Communications Commission, the World Administrative Radio Conference, the International Amateur Radio Union, or with the general public. The ARRL is the primary source of information about what is going on in the ham radio world. It provides books, news, support and information for individuals and clubs, special operating events, all sorts of continuing education classes and other benefits for its members. Being a member of the ARRL is important for hams!

More Info

Tags: arrl

Amateur Radio | No Comments »

Basic study materials for passing the FCC test and getting your initial license usually cost less than $40. There are also classes held by many local groups for people who want more interaction. If possible, taking part in one of these classes is the best way to go, but there’s even an online course you can take if your personal schedule is too hectic. Once you have your first license, most hams find it best to start with simple equipment and grow over time. It usually costs less than $200 to get your own first radio and start saying Hello. Many ham radio flea markets are held all over the country that sell good used equipment for even less.
More Info

Tags: arrl, ham, radio, amateur, cost

Amateur Radio | No Comments »

Look at the dial on an old AM radio and you’ll see frequencies marked from 535 to 1605 kilohertz. This is one radio “band.” There are other bands of radio spectrum for amateur, government, military and commercial radio uses. If you could hear the many different bands, you would find aircraft, ship, fire and police communication, as well as the so-called “shortwave” stations, which are worldwide commercial and government broadcast stations from the U.S. and overseas. Amateurs are allocated 26 bands (i.e., specific groups of frequencies) spaced from 1.8 Megahertz, which is just above the broadcast radio frequencies, all the way up to 275 Gigahertz! Depending on which band we use, we can talk across town, around the world, or out to satellites in space. Hams can even bounce signals off the moon!

More Info

Tags: arrl, ham, radio, amateur

Amateur Radio | No Comments »

There is a great variety of ways that Amateur Radio operators are able to communicate. Using voice is just one. Morse code is still widely used. Here is what “hello” sounds like in Morse code. Packet, Radio Teletype (often called Ritty) and PSK are three more. Even faster transmissions are being developed using methods which can send almost any form of digital data. Hams also use television to send pictures over the air.

More Info

Tags: arrl, ham, radio

Amateur Radio | No Comments »

Not any more! While many hams LIKE to use Morse code, it is not required for your entry level license.

More Info

Tags: arrl, ham, radio,

Amateur Radio | No Comments »

“Ham: a poor operator. A ‘plug.’”

That’s the definition of the word given in G. M. Dodge’s “The Telegraph Instructor” even before there was radio. The definition has never changed in wire telegraphy. The first wireless operators were landline telegraphers who left their offices to go to sea or to man the coastal stations. They brought with them their language and much of the tradition of their older profession. In those early days, every station occupied the same wavelength-or, more accurately perhaps, every station occupied the whole spectrum with its broad spark signal. Government stations, ships, coastal stations and the increasingly numerous amateur operators all competed for time and signal supremacy in each other’s receivers. Many of the amateur stations were very powerful. Two amateurs, working each other across town, could effectively jam all the other operations in the area. Frustrated commercial operators would refer to the ham radio interference by calling them “hams.” Amateurs, possibly unfamiliar with the real meaning of the term, picked it up and applied it to themselves in true “Yankee Doodle” fashion and wore it with pride. As the years advanced, the original meaning has completely disappeared.

More Info

Tags: arrl, ham, radio

Amateur Radio | No Comments »

Although the main purpose of Amateur Radio is fun, it is called the “Amateur Radio Service” because it also has a serious face. The FCC created this “Service” to fill the need for a pool of experts who could provide backup during emergencies. In addition, the FCC acknowledged the ability of the hobby to advance the communication and technical skills of radio, and to enhance international goodwill. This philosophy has paid off. Countless lives have been saved where skilled hobbyists act as emergency communicators to render aid, whether it’s during an earthquake in Italy or a hurricane in the U.S.

More Info

Amateur Radio | No Comments »