What is amateur radio ?
What does amateur radio offer me?
Amateur radio is a unique hobby that it allows you to develop and experiment with radio equipment; so for some amateurs, building equipment is the most satisfying part of the hobby. It also enables you to communicate with other radio amateurs throughout the world. Most countries allow amateur radio operation, so regardless of your language, circumstances, age or cultural background, there will always be the excitement of a possible chance contact (which may lead to a life-long friendship) with someone hundreds or even thousands of miles away.
The hobby also enables you to help others. Many amateurs offer their services to the first aid organisations, and even the police, at public events and during disaster relief operations at home and abroad.
For more than a hundred years radio amateurs have been at the forefront of developments in telecommunications. Today you can use your PC as an additional component of your amateur radio equipment, combining IT and radio technology. You can also experiment with antennas, television, RTTY (radio teletype), data (including computer controlled communications such as packet radio and the internet), satellite communications and, of course, short range voice or Morse code transmissions (although Morse is no longer a requirement for a licence).
What is the difference between a radio amateur and a person who operates Citizens' Band (CB) radio?
A CB licensee does not have to pass any examinations or obtain any qualifications before being allowed to operate. It is a short range limited coverage service which may also be used for some business purposes. Amateur radio is for personal enjoyment and business use is not allowed.
How do radio amateurs communicate?
Most amateur operators communicate using speech. This works rather like a telephone conversation, except that only one person may speak at any one time. Operators must identify themselves by their licence call sign during each transmission
Morse is still an effective means of communication which works with the very simplest equipment. As well as its effectiveness, the narrow bandwidth uses the radio spectrum most efficiently, allowing parallel contacts to take place within a small spectrum space. This is of great benefit in crowded band conditions.
Television: Many amateurs can transmit TV pictures to each other, often in colour. Normally the range of these transmissions is tens of miles. However, amateurs have pioneered a system called "slow scan" television (SSTV) which enables amateurs to transmit pictures around the world, albeit at a slow rate.
Data: Many protocols exist and amateurs are in the forefront of developing new ones such as PSK31, JT65 and weak signal operation. For example it It is now possible to use a radio situated on the other side of the world via the internet.
But why do I need a licence?
It is a legal requirement under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006. You must first obtain a licence from OFCOM before you may legally send and receive messages by radio, unless you are operating under the direct supervision of a Full licensee.
All Copyrights acknowledged, especially those of OFCOM and the RSGB.