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Amateur radio
Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is the use of the radio spectrum for non-commercial communication, technical experimentation, self-training, recreation, radiosport, contesting, and emergency communications. In 1927 a radio amateur was defined as "a duly authorized person interested in radioelectric practice with a purely personal aim and without pecuniary interest," meaning without monetary or similar reward. The definition distinguished amateur activity from commercial broadcasting, public safety services, and professional two-way radio uses such as maritime, aviation, and taxi communication.
The amateur radio service (amateur service and amateur-satellite service) is established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) through its Radio Regulations. National governments set technical and operational rules for transmissions and issue individual station licences with unique call signs. Call signs must be used in transmissions, at least every ten minutes and at the end. Amateur radio operators must hold an amateur radio licence, granted after an examination that tests knowledge of radio theory, electronics, and national regulations.
Operators are authorised to transmit on frequency ranges allocated internationally as the amateur radio bands. Within these bands they may use any frequency, though some are restricted to particular modes of voice, text, image, or data communications. This allows communication locally, nationally, worldwide, and even with stations in space. In many countries, operators may also exchange radio communications between computers or transceivers connected through virtual private networks on the Internet.
Amateur radio is represented by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), which has three regions and includes national amateur radio societies in most countries. In 2011 the American Radio Relay League (the U.S. national society) estimated that about 2 million people worldwide were active in amateur radio. About 830,000 amateur radio stations are in Region 2 (the Americas), about 750,000 in Region 3 (South and East Asia and the Pacific), and about 400,000 in Region 1 (Europe, the Middle East, the CIS and Africa).
The origins of amateur radio can be traced to the late 19th century, but amateur radio as practised today began in the early 20th century. The First Annual Official Wireless Blue Book of the Wireless Association of America, produced in 1909, contains a list of amateur radio stations. This radio callbook lists wireless telegraph stations in Canada and the United States, including 89 amateur radio stations. As with radio in general, amateur radio was associated with various amateur experimenters and hobbyists. Amateur radio enthusiasts have significantly contributed to science, engineering, industry, and social services. Research by amateur operators has founded new industries, built economies, empowered nations, and saved lives in times of emergency. Ham radio can also be used in the classroom to teach English, map skills, geography, math, science, and computer skills.
The term "ham" was first a pejorative term used in professional wired telegraphy during the 19th century, to mock operators with poor Morse code-sending skills ("ham-fisted"). This term continued to be used after the invention of radio, and the proliferation of amateur experimentation with wireless telegraphy; among land- and sea-based professional radio telegraphers, "ham" amateurs were considered a nuisance. The use of "ham" meaning "amateurish or unskilled" survives today sparsely in other disciplines (e.g. "ham actor").
The amateur radio community subsequently reclaimed the word as a label of pride, and by the mid-20th century it had lost its pejorative meaning. Although not an acronym or initialism, it is occasionally written as "HAM" in capital letters.
Amateur radio combines communication, technical experimentation, and recreation. Operators take part in contests, provide emergency service, build and modify equipment, and use transmission modes ranging from traditional Morse code to modern digital protocols.
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Amateur radio
Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is the use of the radio spectrum for non-commercial communication, technical experimentation, self-training, recreation, radiosport, contesting, and emergency communications. In 1927 a radio amateur was defined as "a duly authorized person interested in radioelectric practice with a purely personal aim and without pecuniary interest," meaning without monetary or similar reward. The definition distinguished amateur activity from commercial broadcasting, public safety services, and professional two-way radio uses such as maritime, aviation, and taxi communication.
The amateur radio service (amateur service and amateur-satellite service) is established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) through its Radio Regulations. National governments set technical and operational rules for transmissions and issue individual station licences with unique call signs. Call signs must be used in transmissions, at least every ten minutes and at the end. Amateur radio operators must hold an amateur radio licence, granted after an examination that tests knowledge of radio theory, electronics, and national regulations.
Operators are authorised to transmit on frequency ranges allocated internationally as the amateur radio bands. Within these bands they may use any frequency, though some are restricted to particular modes of voice, text, image, or data communications. This allows communication locally, nationally, worldwide, and even with stations in space. In many countries, operators may also exchange radio communications between computers or transceivers connected through virtual private networks on the Internet.
Amateur radio is represented by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), which has three regions and includes national amateur radio societies in most countries. In 2011 the American Radio Relay League (the U.S. national society) estimated that about 2 million people worldwide were active in amateur radio. About 830,000 amateur radio stations are in Region 2 (the Americas), about 750,000 in Region 3 (South and East Asia and the Pacific), and about 400,000 in Region 1 (Europe, the Middle East, the CIS and Africa).
The origins of amateur radio can be traced to the late 19th century, but amateur radio as practised today began in the early 20th century. The First Annual Official Wireless Blue Book of the Wireless Association of America, produced in 1909, contains a list of amateur radio stations. This radio callbook lists wireless telegraph stations in Canada and the United States, including 89 amateur radio stations. As with radio in general, amateur radio was associated with various amateur experimenters and hobbyists. Amateur radio enthusiasts have significantly contributed to science, engineering, industry, and social services. Research by amateur operators has founded new industries, built economies, empowered nations, and saved lives in times of emergency. Ham radio can also be used in the classroom to teach English, map skills, geography, math, science, and computer skills.
The term "ham" was first a pejorative term used in professional wired telegraphy during the 19th century, to mock operators with poor Morse code-sending skills ("ham-fisted"). This term continued to be used after the invention of radio, and the proliferation of amateur experimentation with wireless telegraphy; among land- and sea-based professional radio telegraphers, "ham" amateurs were considered a nuisance. The use of "ham" meaning "amateurish or unskilled" survives today sparsely in other disciplines (e.g. "ham actor").
The amateur radio community subsequently reclaimed the word as a label of pride, and by the mid-20th century it had lost its pejorative meaning. Although not an acronym or initialism, it is occasionally written as "HAM" in capital letters.
Amateur radio combines communication, technical experimentation, and recreation. Operators take part in contests, provide emergency service, build and modify equipment, and use transmission modes ranging from traditional Morse code to modern digital protocols.