Part 1 - Introduction to Amateur Radio

What is Amateur Radio?
Amateur Radio is a non-commercial radio communication service whose primary aims are public service, technical training and experimentation, and communication between private persons. Amateur Radio operators are commonly called hams. Hams often communicate with each other recreationally but also provide communications for others at public events or in times of emergency or disaster.

You can also check out the "Amateur Radio? Explain Please." section of Ham-Shack.com.

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Who can become a ham?
The answer to this question differs in every country.

The answer for the USA is listed below. If your country has a newsgroup specifically for it (i.e. UK, Australia, Germany) the most accurate answers can be found there. See Part 2 for the list of region-specific newsgroups.

If that doesn't help, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) may be able to help because they communicate with similar organizations in other countries, probably including yours. They can be reached by electronic mail or surface mail (see Part 2.)

In the USA, anyone who is not a representative of a foreign government can be an Amateur Radio operator. There are tests that you must pass to get a license, however the tests are not insurmountable. On that general level, the requirements are probably similar in almost every country.

For more information on becoming a Ham in the USA, the ARRL has a toll-free number where you can request information: 1-800-32-NEW-HAM (don't worry about the number being one digit too long - the phone system ignores it.) Other information can also be obtained from the ARRL e-mail information server in the file called PROSPECT. Details on the server are in Part 2.

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Where can I locate information and books on Amateur Radio?
Your local Radio Shack sells some ham radios and Amateur Radio license books. Books can also be obtained through the mail from ham radio organizations, such as ARRL in Newington, CT (203-666-1541) and W5YI in Dallas, TX (1-800-669-9594). There may be one or two ham radio stores in the local area (i.e., within 50 miles). Try looking in the Yellow Pages under Radio Communications.

The ARRL Education Activities Department has several programs to help amateurs (or prospective amateurs) to get started. Ask for a "New prospect package" available free of charge, from ARRL HQ,
Educational Activities Department, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.

Information on Ham Radio can also be obtained with your computer. Part 2 of this FAQ contains a significant amount of material on that subject.

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How much does it cost?
To take the tests for any class of amateur radio license, there is a small charge (around $10 currently) to cover copying costs and running the testing sessions. The cost of a radio is really dependent on what you want to do. You can make your own radio and antenna for under $150. You can buy a used single-band radio for $150-$300. Or you can buy a new multi-band multi-mode radio with all the doodads for $300-$3000. I'd suggest you learn more about ham radio, talk to local hams, find out what you want to do with ham radio first.

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Where can I take the tests?
All the license tests are given by three qualified Volunteer Examiners (VEs) who volunteer their time.

To locate an ARRL testing session in your area, you can contact ARRL at 203-666-1541 x282.

See also the section "Where can I find VE sessions in my local area?" in Part 2 because more information is available via UseNet.

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What are the tests like?
First off, come prepared to VE sessions. Bring: TWO forms of ID, one of which has a picture on it; a calculator (if necessary); a pen and two pencils; the applicable examination fee (around $10 currently); the original AND a copy of your current Amateur Radio license (if you have one); the original AND a copy of any CSCEs for tests you've already passed (if you have any).

Each of the written tests (Technician, General, and Extra) are generally a multiple choice test of approximately one-tenth of the question pool. The Technician and General written tests consist of 35 questions each. The Extra test is comprised of 50 questions. You need to get 75% correct to pass.

Once you've paid the small fee for Technician-Extra tests, it costs no extra to take another test, so I'd suggest you keep taking the next more advanced test until you fail. If you pass the written but not the Morse code (or vice versa) for a specific class license, you have up to one year to take the other test before you would have to retake the written test again. Note that some VEs will not allow you to take the written test unless you've first taken the Morse code test.

The Morse code test is a receiving test only. The test run 5 to 7 minutes. After the test, you are given a 10-question multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank test. Passing grade is 7 or more. If you fail the 10-question test, the examiner team will examine your copy sheet to see if you have 1 minute of solid copy with no errors. For 5 wpm, that's 25 characters. If they can find 1 minute solid copy, you've still passed.

Hints on Morse code tests: Generally, it will be a standard QSO (conversation), and it MUST contain at least one of each of the following: 26 letters A-Z, 10 numbers 0-9, comma (,), period (.), slant or slash (/), question mark (?), double dash prosign (BT), end of message prosign (AR), end of contact prosign (SK). The letters count as one character, all others count as two characters. There are a couple other prosigns which are worth knowing, but will not be on the test, like "I'm done talking, next" is K, "I'm done talking, back to you" is KN, "Please wait" is AS.

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What can I do with a ham radio license?
There are so many things, it's a difficult question to answer, but here's some ideas:
• Talk to people in foreign countries.
• Talk to people (both local and far away) on your drive to work.
• Help in emergencies by providing communications.
• Provide communications in parades or walkathons.
• Help other people become hams.
• Hook your computer to your radio and communicate by computers.
• Collect QSL cards (cards from other hams) from all over the United States and foreign countries and receive awards.
• Participate in contests or Field Day events.
• Provide radio services to your local Civil Defense organization through ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) or RACES (Radio 
Amateur Civil Emergency Service).
• Aid members of the US military by joining MARS (Military Affiliate Radio System).
• Participate in transmitter hunt games and maybe build your own direction-finding equipment.
• Have someone to talk to on those sleepless nights at home.
• Receive weather pictures via satellites.
• Build radios, antennas, learn some electronics and radio theory.
• Talk to astronauts in space, or use the moon to bounce signals back to people on the Earth.
• Experiment with Amateur TV (ATV), Slow-Scan TV (SSTV), or send still-frame pictures by facsimile.
• Experiment with amateur satellite communications.

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What can't I do with an Amateur Radio license?
The most important thing you can't do is transact business of any kind over ham radio. Interference to other hams or services, as well as obscene, profane or indecent language is not tolerated and is illegal. Music and broadcasting are not allowed on ham radio. Some personal conversations may not be appropriate to Amateur Radio. Do you really want the whole world to hear about Aunt Mabel's hemorrhoids?

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I'm interested, who will help me?
There are hams who are willing to become "Elmers" (mentors, helpers) in your local area. Look around and ask local hams. Search out local radio clubs. As well, some people have volunteered to be an Elmer over the Usenet. A list of UseNet Elmers and their e-mail addresses is posted to the newsgroup monthly. If anyone wants to be an Elmer, send e-mail to elmers-request@unomaha.edu

There is also a lot to be said for exploring on your own. Take a look around the FTP archives and e-mail servers listed in Part 2. There's so much out there on UseNet, you'll find plenty of things you're interested in.

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Should I build my own equipment or antenna?
"Home brewing" is a fun and educational part of ham radio. It is a thrill to build your own transmitter and put it on the air. However, building your own receiver can be quite complicated; if you don't have electronics experience, you may want to buy a receiver instead. Most homebrew transmitters are QRP (transmit very low power). That's fine for an experienced ham with a very good antenna, but a Novice ham will just get frustrated. Your first rig, therefore should NOT be a homebrew.

Antennas can be much simpler projects than the transceiver, though some types are also quite involved. Most hams build their own antennas for base station use and buy antennas for mobile (car) use. Most beginner ham books describe how to build different types of antennas. Order of difficulty, from easiest to more difficult, for some common antennas are: wire dipole, Zepp, Yagi, Quad, and Log-Periodic. Books from many sources, including ARRL and several Hams, discuss antennas in depth.

When building or even understanding antennas, it is good to know the relationship between the antenna element length and the frequency or wavelength it is designed for. An antenna performs best at multiples of 1/4 of that wavelength, though 5/8 wave also has beneficial qualities. The wavelength is related to the frequency with the following formula:

wavelength (in meters) = 300 / frequency (in megahertz)

You do not need a huge antenna or tower like ones you may see around your neighborhood. Large beam antennas and 40-foot towers are very expensive. As a beginner, a simple dipole antenna is perfectly adequate. As you gain experience (and money :-), you may want to invest in something bigger.

If you can afford new rigs and antennas, there are many mail order stores that advertise in ham radio magazines. If you want to buy a used rig, the best place is at a "ham fest" (ham flea market). You should take along an experienced ham, since some of the used equipment may be inoperative, overpriced or poor quality. You can also answer ads in ham magazines or posted at ham radio stores, although often, by the time you call, the equipment has already been sold.

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