Ham radio is an amateur radio system with a long and exciting history. There are over 700,000 ham radio operators in the U.S. and over 3 million around the world. Despite its name, ham radio is much more than a hobby. Ham operators have advanced the science of radio and electronics, provided emergency communications during countless disasters, and even worked with NASA.

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If you&#;re interested in ham radio, you can begin with a modest setup and increase your investment of time and resources as your interest grows. There is more than enough going on in the field to keep your attention for a lifetime! This guide will explain just what being a ham operator entails, where to find resources for education and licensing, and how to pick the best ham radio for your setup.

Ham Radio Licensing

To use a ham radio, amateur radio operators are required by the Federal Communications Commission to obtain a license by passing an exam. There are three levels of licensing for ham operators with increasingly difficult qualifications. When you pass the exam, your new license will arrive in the mail along with your call sign.

• Technician Class: an entry-level license that grants transmitting privileges on the VHF and UHF bands used for local communication, and limited ham bands for global transmissions
• General Class: expands transmitting privileges to long-distance, international communication via signal propagation, and increased voice operation on ham bands
• Amateur Extra Class: provides access to the full range of ham bands allocated to the Amateur Radio Service

Many operators enjoy the capabilities of a technician&#;s license and don&#;t feel the need to apply for a higher-level license. For example, a growing number of people are moving from CB radios to 10-meter mobile radios in their vehicles. While CB radios have been a mainstay for long-haul truckers, these radios are limited to a range of about seven miles. A ham operator in the 10-meter band has access to more power and a range of about 50 miles.

How to Learn Ham Radio

While ham radio licenses are controlled by the FCC, the day-to-day management of amateur radio is handled by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), a nationwide public service organization. The ARRL has members in every city and most towns, and they help amateur radio operators by providing the following services:

• Serve as volunteer examiners for amateur radio operator license exams.
• Make sure amateur radio operators are familiar with all of the regulatory guidelines related to radio communication.
• Provide study guides on the ARRL website.
• Hold classes to help amateur radio service applicants prepare for their license exam.
• Teach operators about the differences between radio technology like ham radios, FRS, GMRS, SDR, and CB radio.
• Help operators understand the radio spectrum, learn terminology such as &#;MHz&#;, &#;bandwidth&#;, and &#;repeaters&#;, and master communication methods like CW (for Morse Code) and PSK31 (for talking through computers).
• Connect amateur radio enthusiasts with local amateur radio clubs.

The ARRL is active on social media and has meetups (hamfests) on a regular basis. Hamfests are a great opportunity to meet people with similar interests and learn about the equipment they use. These events are invaluable if you are considering buying a more advanced radio or applying for a more advanced amateur radio license. In addition to meeting in person, operators can participate in fun on-the-air challenges like making the most contacts in a given time, making the most distant contact, or communicating with the International Space Station (ISS).

Why are they called &#;ham radio operators&#;?

The term &#;ham&#; came into common usage early on; it refers to amateur (ham-fisted) telegraph operators with poor skills. Shady telegraph schools were even called &#;ham factories&#;. After the number of amateur radio operators began to proliferate, the moniker stuck.

The Different Types of Ham Radio

Unlike a typical radio that can only receive broadcasts, ham radios are also transmitters. Instead of a radio receiver, ham operators use a transceiver, which both receives and transmits radio signals. Transceivers range in size from simple handheld radios to desktop base stations. Ham operators also have a network of satellites they use to boost the signal for radio communication.

If you&#;re not sure about your level of interest, handheld radios are the least expensive option and make a great point of entry. Because of their limited range and somewhat specialized use, handheld models only connect over short distances. If you want to communicate over a wider range, a mobile radio is a better choice. A mobile radio is cost-effective because it can be disconnected from the vehicle antenna and then used at home as a base station connected to a larger antenna. Base station models transmit over the longest distances and are the most complicated to use, so they&#;re typically not the best choice for ham radio hobbyists who are just starting out. Read on for more details about the types of ham radio.

Looking to Buy Two-Way Radios? Start Here!

If you&#;re in the market for two-way radios, it can sometimes be confusing to read about all the features and specifications of the models available. Many people are surprised that so many options exist. And if you&#;ve never used two-way radios before, things may seem even more complicated. So, if you&#;re looking to buy two-way radios, but you&#;re not quite sure of where to start, here are some tips to get you going!

The basic question you need to ask yourself is what you&#;re planning to do with the radios. Answering that question thoroughly will help you determine what kind you need. Here are the main points to consider before you begin shopping around:

1) Do you need digital or analog radios?

Most two-way radios today are digital, which has many advantages: clearer audio, longer battery life, and increased capacity, to name a few. The only downside is that digital two-way radios generally cost more. So, considering your must-haves in this area will help you decide which to choose &#; if you just need basic communications or you&#;re working within an existing system, analog may be the way to go.

2) Where are you going to be using them?

This matters because two-way radios vary in terms of optimal range. When you look at the specifications for the units, remember that the ranges given are for optimal line-of-sight communication. This means you have to consider the terrain where you will most likely be using the radios. For instance, if you&#;re going to use them out in the open with few obstructions, you&#;ll have a better range than if you&#;re in a city or indoors calling between buildings, depending on the radio you choose. So, consider the probable terrain of the locations where you&#;ll likely be using the radios.

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Available frequencies include VHF, UHF, and 900 MHz Onsite. What are the differences between these types?

VHF (Very High Frequency) radios work best for outdoor applications where maximum range is required with little to no obstruction. For instance, VHF may be a good choice for rural fire departments, agriculture, long-haul trucking and field operations for energy companies.

UHF (Ultra High Frequency) is better suited for indoor applications with some obstructions. Industries that may benefit from UHF are warehousing, manufacturing, hotels, and educational environments.

3) Do you need the radios to be highly durable or intrinsically safe?

Essentially, are you working in an office or an oil patch? Do you work in conditions that could damage your radios?

If you are likely to be using the radios outside in all types of weather, waterproofing is very important. Two-way radios without waterproofing can be damaged if exposed to even small amounts of water.

Dust-proofing is also important if you will be using the radios in rugged environments. Industrial-strength radios made to withstand the elements and heavy usage will benefit industries where harsh conditions are the norm, such as construction and emergency response.

Speaking of harsh environments, if you work in one that has a higher than normal fire hazard, you&#;ll definitely want to consider intrinsically safe radios. Radios with this certification are safe for use in the oil, gas, and mining industries, or any combustible environment where the tiny sparks normally produced by standard radios could start a fire.

4) What type of battery do you want?

If you will be in remote locations with spotty access to power sources, your radios will need batteries that last longer than average. Matching your radio with the right battery is critical. Lithium-ion batteries are now the most common batteries in radios because they offer top-quality energy densities, limited memory effects, and can be stored for long periods of time.

5) Do you need special features for your radios?

Do you need an emergency call feature or a man-down alert? These can be very useful in industrial settings and harsh environments. Scanning and color display features are also available if needed.

6) How big do you want the radios to be?

The size and weight of radios varies widely. So, imagine the way you will actually be using and storing the units, and choose an option that fits your intended space requirements.

7) Do you want a headset or some other hands-free option?

Once again, imagine the most likely uses for your radios. Is hands-free an important option to you? If so, you will need to confirm the option is available on the models you are considering.

Basic Checklist for Requirements

Once you have clearly defined what your uses for the radios will be, then it is time to see how all the options measure up. When you have narrowed down your choices with the questions above, hold the radios in your hands and test out the following things:

• When you test the radio in the real world, is the signal clear?
• Are the controls easy to figure out and use?
• Do the batteries provided have a reasonably good lifespan?
• Do the radios come with an acceptable warranty?
• Can you easily scan channels, if that is an option you need?
• Do the radios have privacy codes that will help eliminate some of the outside chatter you will get when using them in real-world settings?
• If you chose the hands-free option, how does it work in a test environment?

After considering all these things, if you&#;re still unsure about which two-way radios to purchase, it is possible to rent them for a short time to get familiar with their features. If you need to purchase or rent two-way radios, contact us. We&#;ll be glad to discuss your options and help you choose the radios that will be the perfect fit for you. Want to do the research on your own first? Try our FREE Hytera Two-Way Radio Selection Guide below.

Two-Way Radio, Rugged Devices, and Mobility

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