What is Amateur Radio?

Amateur radio (or ham radio) is a service provided by the FCC to allow those that pass the tests to be able to use a set of allocated frequencies for the use of communication, experimentation, emergency management, and fun. Part 97 of the Code of Federal Regulation states:

The rules and regulations in this part are designed to provide an amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following principles:

(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.

(b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art.

© Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art.

(d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts.

(e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill.

Via 47 CFR Part 97 — Amateur Radio Service, § 97.1 Basis and purpose

What Can You Do With a License?

Amateur Radio isn't just one hobby — it's dozens of hobbies under one license. You don't need to be a tech expert to get started. Here's just a taste of what license holders do:

Connecting with people

- Nets — scheduled on-air check-ins where hams share info, practice skills, or just chat (on local VHF/UHF or long-distance HF frequencies) - Satellite contacts — yes, you can talk through a satellite using a handheld radio - Moonbounce (EME) — bounce a signal off the moon and talk to someone across the globe - Parks on the Air (POTA) — operate from a park, or “hunt” others who are - Summits on the Air (SOTA) — same idea, from mountaintops - DXpeditions — travel to a rare location to operate, or “hunt” those signals from home

Serving your community

- Supporting local events (marathons, races, parades, rides) - Disaster planning and emergency communication - SKYWARN — trained storm spotting for the National Weather Service

Building and experimenting

- Electronics and experimentation - Software development for radio - Building and running repeaters - Radio networking (like AREDN)

…and so much more.