Credit for this article is given to Hamnet BBS

WHAT IS AMATEUR RADIO??

Amateur Radio (often called "ham radio") is a hobby and an important
public service authorized by the US Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) in Part 97 of the FCC Rules and Regulations. Its purpose, quoted
from SubPart A, Sec 97.1, is as follows:

"...to provide [a] service...as expressed in the following principles:

(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of amateur service to
the public as a voluntary noncommercial 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.

(c) Encouragement and improvement of the Amateur Radio 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."

Licensed Amateur Radio operators are people of any age, sex,
profession, or nationality...who are fascinated with communications
via two-way radio.

Generally a skilled group, they are required to pass examinations to
receive the authorization to operate an Amateur Radio station.

The typical Amateur has a variety of interests, and the hobby
provides for a multitude of individual preferences. Amateurs engage in
general chit-chat; emergency operations (including participation in
Civil Preparedness); sending, relaying, receiving and delivering free radiograms for the public; providing communications support for civic
functions such as local parades, marathons, etc.; making friends with
Amateurs in foreign countries; investigating the mysteries of radio
signal propagation; building, modifying and designing radio equipment,
antennas and accessories; winning awards for operating proficiency in
many areas; helping others prepare for Amateur Radio FCC license
examinations; and many more exciting and valuable facets of the hobby.


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