Ham radio is a hobby that can be in demand when an emergency arises. A great way to develop new friendships and teach your children something positive.

Heathkit were kits you could buy that allowed you to build your own radio while learning more about the radio. Eventually, companies started to build their own and list them for sale. The amount of technological progress made in the development is outstanding.

You have to be licensed as a ham operator, there use to be five classes of license and it was streamlined to three. The three available today are technician, general, and advanced extra. The life of a ham radio operator is one of learning, with all the different aspects of radio you can get into there will always be something to learn. When ham started there was only army surplus radios available and they needed work to use on ham frequencies.

Ham had a second choice to build their own radio and Heathkit was born. a.

1. Technician is the first class and is like entry level, this does not in any way make getting the license easier.
2. General is the second and offers many more frequencies and a much higher power limit. New modes of transmit are also available. Many Hams will stay here for a while before moving up.
3. Advanced extra offers a few more available frequencies and new modes of transmit. In this level many hams are capable of building or repairing radios and antennas.

Many hams will also develop a specialty, like an interest in antennas, amplifiers, or microphones. They will dive into learning all about these and build or repair their own. They can and do like a certain mode of transmit like  single sideband, fm, pactor or Morse code.

Their are clubs and nets where hams meet and discuss anything from life to radio theory. These are a great way of making friends and learning more about being a ham operator.

The misconception is you need to have money to be a ham, but there are handheld radios you can buy and get started for thirty dollars or a little more. A good mobile transceiver can run two or three hundred dollars.  Many people buy a handheld and use it with a base antenna until they can afford a mobile.

Ham radio also has special training to be available in emergency events to provide communications for the police, they will relay messages for families to let someone know their loved on is alive and well.

The career of a ham radio operator is an interesting one. It is developing a skill set as a hobby that can be used for emergencies. Look into becoming a new Ham and see the future open to you.             

iggy

Born to write but I am not as good as would like to be. I have many other talents that offer me a rich and full life.

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