Amateur Radio

i.e. Ham Radio

Community of radio enthusiasts who use radio transmitters and receivers to communicate with each other and compete.

HAM Radio Overview

• Regulated, but non-commercial
• Made up of hobbyists
• Digital, Voice, Morse
• Contests
• 700,000+ Operators in US

Uses

• Voice Communication around the world
• Emergency Communication/Disaster Relief
• RC Control over long distances
• Custom radio hardware

Joining HAM Radio

• Different levels (technician, general, extra)
• Short Test
• Get callsign

Distance Communication

Rules on Air

Contesting

Competition to get the most callsigns / show technical prowness

Field Day

Morse Code

Direction Finding

i.e. try to find the transmitter

Radios

• $60 budget radios
• Police frequencies
• Base stations

Questions?