16 Facts About Ham radio

Amateur Ham radio service is established by the International Telecommunication Union through the Radio Regulations.

Radio amateurs are limited to a small set of frequency bands, the amateur Ham radio bands, allocated throughout the Ham radio spectrum, but within these bands are allowed to transmit on any frequency using a variety of voice, text, image, and data communications modes.

Amateur Ham radio is officially represented and coordinated by the International Amateur Radio Union, which is organized in three regions and has as its members the national amateur Ham radio societies which exist in most countries.

Origins of amateur Ham radio can be traced to the late 19th century, but amateur Ham radio as practiced today began in the early 20th century.

Amateur Ham radio enthusiasts have significantly contributed to science, engineering, industry, and social services.

Ham radio can be used in the classroom to teach English, map skills, geography, math, science, and computer skills.

Many facets of amateur Ham radio attract practitioners with a wide range of interests.

Some focal areas amateurs pursue include Ham radio contesting, Ham radio propagation study, public service communication, technical experimentation, and computer networking.

Some join in regularly scheduled on-air meetings with other amateur Ham radio operators, called "nets", which are moderated by a station referred to as "Net Control".

Amateur Ham radio operators, using battery- or generator-powered equipment, often provide essential communications services when regular channels are unavailable due to natural disaster or other disruptive events.

All countries that license citizens to use amateur Ham radio require operators to display knowledge and understanding of key concepts, usually by passing an exam.

An amateur Ham radio license is valid only in the country in which it is issued or in another country that has a reciprocal licensing agreement with the issuing country.

In some countries, an amateur Ham radio license is necessary in order to purchase or possess amateur Ham radio equipment.

An amateur Ham radio operator uses a call sign on the air to legally identify the operator or station.

Amateur Ham radio operators are encouraged both by regulations and tradition of respectful use of the spectrum to use as little power as possible to accomplish the communication.

In former times, most amateur digital modes are transmitted by inserting audio into the microphone input of a Ham radio and using an analog scheme, such as amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, or single-sideband modulation .