Amateur Radio For Beginners
So … You are interested in becoming a Amateur Radio operator, this is so very cool for me to hear this news. but let me share a little about the this new exciting hobby that you are ready to jump into and learn..
What Is Amateur Radio?
Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is the use of the radio frequency spectrum for purposes of non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, private recreation, radiosport, contesting, and emergency communications.[1] The term “amateur” is used to specify “a duly authorised person interested in radioelectric practice with a purely personal aim and without pecuniary interest;”[2] (either direct monetary or other similar reward) and to differentiate it from commercial broadcasting, public safety (such as police and fire), or professional two-way radio services (such as maritime, aviation, taxis, etc.).
The amateur radio service (amateur service and amateur-satellite service) is established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) through the Radio Regulations. National governments regulate technical and operational characteristics of transmissions and issue individual station licenses with a unique identifying call sign, which must be used in all transmissions. Amateur operators must hold an amateur radio license which is obtained by passing a government test demonstrating adequate technical radio knowledge and legal knowledge of the host government’s radio regulations.
Radio amateurs are limited to a small set of frequency bands, the amateur radio bands, allocated throughout the radio spectrum, but within these bands are allowed to transmit on any frequency using a variety of voice, text, image, and data communications modes. This enables communication across a city, region, country, continent, the world, or even into space. In many countries, amateur radio operators may also send, receive, or relay radio communications between computers or transceivers connected to secure virtual private networks on the Internet.
Amateur radio is officially represented and coordinated by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), which is organized in three regions and has as its members the national amateur radio societies which exist in most countries. According to an estimate made in 2011 by the American Radio Relay League, two million people throughout the world are regularly involved with amateur radio.[3] About 830,000 amateur radio stations are located in IARU Region 2 (the Americas) followed by IARU Region 3 (South and East Asia and the Pacific Ocean) with about 750,000 stations. A significantly smaller number, about 400,000, are located in IARU Region 1 (Europe, Middle East, CIS, Africa).
History Of Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
What’s New? (Amateur Radio)
FCC TECHNICIAN CLASS QUESTION POOL REVISED JULY 1, 2022
The FCC question pool for Technician Class license examinations has been revised and is effective for exams conducted on or after July 1, 2022.
Study materials are available through the ARRL store.
To start in the Amateur Radio Hobby
First, its a Very Fun Hobby to be in with many direction to go once you get your Technician License. Yes I did say the word License, which is not hard at all to get. there are a few things you must do before getting your Technician License.
1. Understand that becoming a Amateur radio operator does come with very important rules, which i strongly suggest you read and understand to the letter.
* but don’t let that scare you to NOT getting your Amateur Radio 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 30 megahertz, allowing these licensees the ability to communicate locally and most often within North America. It also allows for some limited privileges on the HF (also called “short wave”) bands used for international communications
Licensing
Both the requirements for and privileges granted to a licensee vary from country to country, but generally follow the international regulations and standards established by the International Telecommunication Union[32] and World Radio Conferences.
All countries that license citizens to use amateur radio require operators to display knowledge and understanding of key concepts, usually by passing an exam.[33] The licenses grant hams the privilege to operate in larger segments of the radio frequency spectrum, with a wider variety of communication techniques, and with higher power levels relative to unlicensed personal radio services (such as CB radio, FRS, and PMR446), which require type-approved equipment restricted in mode, range, and power.
Amateur licensing is a routine civil administrative matter in many countries. Amateurs therein must pass an examination to demonstrate technical knowledge, operating competence, and awareness of legal and regulatory requirements, in order to avoid interfering with other amateurs and other radio services. A series of exams are often available, each progressively more challenging and granting more privileges: greater frequency availability, higher power output, permitted experimentation, and, in some countries, distinctive call signs. Some countries, such as the United Kingdom and Australia, have begun requiring a practical assessment in addition to the written exams in order to obtain a beginner’s license, which they call a Foundation License.
In most countries, an operator will be assigned a call sign with their license. In some countries, a separate “station license” is required for any station used by an amateur radio operator. Amateur radio licenses may also be granted to organizations or clubs. In some countries, hams were allowed to operate only club stations.[34]
An amateur 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. Some countries, such as Syria and Cuba, restrict operation by foreigners to club stations only.
In some countries, an amateur radio license is necessary in order to purchase or possess amateur radio equipment.[35]
Amateur radio licensing in the United States exemplifies the way in which some countries[which?] award different levels of amateur radio licenses based on technical knowledge: three sequential levels of licensing exams (Technician Class, General Class, and Amateur Extra Class) are currently offered, which allow operators who pass them access to larger portions of the Amateur Radio spectrum and more desirable (shorter) call signs. An exam, authorized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is required for all levels of the Amateur Radio license. These exams are administered by Volunteer Examiners, accredited by the FCC-recognized Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) system. The Technician Class and General Class exams consist of 35 multiple-choice questions, drawn randomly from a pool of at least 350. To pass, 26 of the 35 questions must be answered correctly.[36] The Extra Class exam has 50 multiple choice questions (drawn randomly from a pool of at least 500), 37 of which must be answered correctly.[36] The tests cover regulations, customs, and technical knowledge, such as FCC provisions, operating practices, advanced electronics theory, radio equipment design, and safety. Morse Code is no longer tested in the U.S. Once the exam is passed, the FCC issues an Amateur Radio license which is valid for ten years. Studying for the exam is made easier because the entire question pools for all license classes are posted in advance. The question pools are updated every four years by the National Conference of VECs.[36]
Licensing requirements
Prospective amateur radio operators are examined on understanding of the key concepts of electronics, radio equipment, antennas, radio propagation, RF safety, and the radio regulations of the government granting the license. These examinations are sets of questions typically posed in either a short answer or multiple-choice format. Examinations can be administered by bureaucrats, non-paid certified examiners, or previously licensed amateur radio operators.
The ease with which an individual can acquire an amateur radio license varies from country to country. In some countries, examinations may be offered only once or twice a year in the national capital and can be inordinately bureaucratic (for example in India) or challenging because some amateurs must undergo difficult security approval (as in Iran). Currently only Yemen and North Korea do not issue amateur radio licenses to their citizens, although in both cases a limited number of foreign visitors have been permitted to obtain amateur licenses in the past decade[when?]. Some developing countries, especially those in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, require the payment of annual license fees that can be prohibitively expensive for most of their citizens. A few small countries may not have a national licensing process and may instead require prospective amateur radio operators to take the licensing examinations of a foreign country. In countries with the largest numbers of amateur radio licensees, such as Japan, the United States, Thailand, Canada, and most of the countries in Europe, there are frequent license examinations opportunities in major cities.
Granting a separate license to a club or organization generally requires that an individual with a current and valid amateur radio license who is in good standing with the telecommunications authority assumes responsibility for any operations conducted under the club license or club call sign. A few countries may issue special licenses to novices or beginners that do not assign the individual a call sign but instead require the newly licensed individual to operate from stations licensed to a club or organization for a period of time before a higher class of license can be acquired.
It’s Exam Time ! Are You Ready
*The Exam is a test with a total of 35 questions total. you must get 26 correct , the test itself is made up on many exam questions, what i mean is that you must pass with 80% grade on your exam or better on the Exam and get a passing grade on it…
IN-PERSON OR ONLINE EXAMS
Find a ham radio exam session in your area or take the exam online. In-person and online tests are given regularly. Register with an ARRL VEC team for your exam and receive your license in 24 to 48 hours. Search for exam teams.
FCC APPLICATION FEES
The $35 application fee, when it becomes effective on April 19, will apply to new, renewal, rule waiver, and modification applications that request a new vanity call sign. The fee will be per application. Other types of applications filing are exempt from the fees. Visit the FCC Application Fees page for detailed information and instructions.
To Begin your start of Amateur radio, I suggest you look for a local amateur radio club in the area where you live and then join it. You may start by using google search. Once you are a member of a amateur radio club ask fellow members if the club has beginner’s classes and ask around the club to see if anyone will teach you about this Awesome Hobby !
Amateur Radio Volunteer
The links below will get you started… 73’s and good luck!
U.S.A. Amateur Grid Square Map
YouTube Video’s For Amateur Radio Beginner’s
YouTube Video -ARRL- What is Ham Radio
YouTube Video-HAM Radio Crash Course INTRO – WHY RADIO?
YouTube Videos -ARRL – Amateur Radio – A 21st Century hobby
FCC Rules & Regulations for Title 47
U.S.A. Amateur Band Plan – Updated 2020