Its true, not all HAMS are edible. Some hams are actually useful radio amateur operators who serve the public and have fun making friends. Ham radio operators (or amateur radio operators as they are known) use two-way radio stations from their homes, cars, boats and outdoors to make hundreds of friends around town and around the world. They communicate with each other using voice, computers, and Morse code. Some hams bounce their signals off the upper regions of the atmosphere, so they can talk with hams on the other side of the world. Other hams use satellites. Many use hand-held radios that fit in their pockets. In the 20 plus years I have been a General Class Operator I have been afforded the opportunity to make hundreds of new friends thru this great hobby of ours while being afforded an opportunity to serve my community in a variety of ways.

Much of this hobby in electronics and communications can be viewed by going to the amateur radio site called the Amercian Radio Relay League or ARRL at www.arrl.org.

Hams exchange pictures of each other using television. Some also like to work on electronic circuits, building their own radios and antennas. A few pioneers in Amateur Radio have even contributed to advances in technology that we all enjoy today. There are even ham-astronauts who take radios with them on the International Space Station and thrill thousands of hams on earth with a call from space!

Hams assist their communities and prospective agencies in times of need such as;

? Hurricanes
? Earthquakes
? Tornadoes and floods
? Motorist accidents
? Fires and chemical spills
? Search and rescues

The most popular license for beginners is the Technician Class license, which requires only a 35 multiple-choice question written examination. The test is written with the beginner in mind. Morse Code is not required for this license. With a Technician Class license, you will have all ham radio privileges above 30 megahertz (MHz). These privileges include the very popular 2-meter band. Many Technician licensees enjoy using small (2 meter) hand-held radios to stay in touch with other hams in their area.

Technicians may operate FM voice, digital packet (computers), television, single-sideband voice and several other interesting modes. You can even make international radio contacts via satellites, using relatively simple equipment.

Did you know may of todays TV and Music stars are amateur radio operators or Hams? Its true, Ronnie Milsap, Patty Loveless and many many more.

The 170,000+ members of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) are among the most active and enthusiastic amateurs in the country. Headquartered in Newington, CT, ARRL speaks on behalf of its members in Washington and internationally as well as providing direct member benefits.

The Amateur Radio license examinations are administered by ham radio volunteers. When you're ready to take your exam, you'll need to locate an exam session near you.

If you have questions on becoming a Technician class operator please feel free to leave me feed back or as I stated earlier, visit the Amercian Radio Relay League site at WWW.ARRL.ORG

Denny, KB9GFX