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What is Ham Radio? (click here)
What is Ham Radio? Amateur Radio (ham radio) is a popular hobby and service that brings people, electronics and communication together. People use ham radio to talk across town, around the world, or even into space, all without the Internet or cell phones. It's fun, social, educational, and can be a lifeline during times of need. You can set up a ham radio station anywhere! In a field... ...at a club station.... ...or at home. Although Amateur Radio operators get involved for many reasons, they all have in common a basic knowledge of radio technology and operating principles,...
Why should I get licensed? (click here)
Why should I get licensed? Before you can get on the air, you need to be licensed and know the rules to operate legally. US licenses are good for 10 years before renewal and anyone may hold one except a representative of a foreign government. In the US there are three license classes—Technician, General and Extra. Technician License The Technician class license is the entry-level license of choice for most new ham radio operators. To earn the Technician license requires passing one examination totaling 35 questions on radio theory, regulations and operating practices. The license gives access to all Amateur Radio frequencies above...
Ham Radio History (click here)
In 1873, James Clerk Maxwell presented his theory of the electromagnetic field. In 1901 Guglielmo Marconi communicated across the Atlantic with a radio device using high power and giant antennas. To curb interference, Congress approved the Radio Act of 1912, which required amateurs to be licensed and restricted to the single wavelength of 200 meters. In 1914 the American Radio Relay League was founded by Hiram Percy Maxim, who found that messages could be sent more reliably over long distances if relay stations were organized. Transatlantic transmitting and receiving tests began in 1921 and by July 1960 the first two-way contact...
Your First Station (click here)
Your Amateur Radio station may change, but you have to start somewhere, right? Here are some fundamentals that all Amateur Radio stations have in common: Transceiver Power Supply Antenna System The Transceiver Selecting your transceiver will largely depend on how much you want to spend and what you hope to do. If you want to explore long-distance contacts on the HF bands, you’ll need an HF transceiver. If you are interested in chatting with local friends on the VHF or UHF bands, look for a VHF+ FM transceiver. Build Your Own Radio Most hams buy their radios factory assembled,...
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What is Ham Radio? (click here)
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Why should I get licensed? (click here)
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Ham Radio History (click here)
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Your First Station (click here)
What is Ham Radio? (click here)
What is Ham Radio?
Amateur Radio (ham radio) is a popular hobby and service that brings people, electronics and communication together. People use ham radio to talk across town, around the world, or even into space, all without the Internet or cell phones. It's fun, social, educational, and can be a lifeline during times of need.
You can set up a ham radio station anywhere! In a field...
...at a club station....
...or at home.
Although Amateur Radio operators get involved for many reasons, they all have in common a basic knowledge of radio technology and operating principles, and pass an examination for the FCC license to operate on radio frequencies known as the "Amateur Bands." These bands are radio frequencies allocated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for use by ham radio operators.
Amateur Radio in Hollywood
Amateur Radio is part of the storyline in the ABC television series Last Man Standing, starring Tim Allen. Read More
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American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the national association for amateur radio, connecting hams around the U.S. with news, information and resources.-
Protect the Most Important Element of Field Day: The People
That includes yourself! Late June holds the Summer Solstice, and in North America where Field Day takes place, that means a higher likelihood of long, hot, summer days. If it’s not everyday you’re working in the heat, you especially need to take care of yourself.Dr. Carol Milazzo, M.D., KP4MD, is the Section Manager of the ARRL Sacramento Valley Section. She’s also a practicing physician. She k...
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ARRL Announces Logbook of The World® Systems Upgrade
ARRL’s Logbook of The World® (LoTW®) is the 2nd most popular benefit among members. It is also an extremely popular service internationally for non-members, as it is the primary means for providing confirmations for ARRL Awards, such as DXCC and Worked All States.As a part of the ongoing modernization of the ARRL systems infrastructure, LoTW will be receiving major upgrades to the operating sys...
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The ARRL Solar Report
On Friday, June 20, Spaceweather.com reports that, in addition to itbeing the first day of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere, on June 19the Sun produced another X-class flare causing a shortwave radioblackout over the Pacific Ocean.Solar activity reached high levels when Region AR4114 produced thestrongest event of the period, an X1.9 flare at 2350 UTC. The regionremained the most complex on th...
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2025 ARRL Field Day is Next Weekend
Lather on the sunscreen and get ready for the fun! 2025 ARRL Field Day is June 28 - 29. It is amateur radio’s biggest yearly event. The sun has been very active at the peak of Solar Cycle 25. ARRL is hopeful that it will mean 2025 becomes a legendary Field Day. Get out to an activation and enjoy a good time with your fellow hams.Use the Field Day Site Locator, featuring more than 1200 sites, if...
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Hurricane Erick Updates
Hurricane Erick Update for June 19, 2025...12:30 PM EDTHurricane Erick made landfall early Thursday morning, June 19, along Southern Mexico's Pacific coast. It has been upgraded to an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 status, according to the US National Hurricane Center.Forecasters now warn that the major storm will unleash devastating winds at the eye's landfall as well as the potential for fl...
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Ham Radio Reports Fire; Helicopter Crew Extinguishes Just in Time
Amateur radio operators preparing for a contest sponsored by ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® used ham radio to report a forest fire just before winds picked up.By John Ross, KD8IDJWith the help of amateur radio operators, a potential wildfire was averted in California on June 12. Amateur “ham” radio is a thriving technical hobby with members active all over the world. Hams ofte...