Amateur radio is a scientific hobby and a service where radio operators or "hams as they are called" uses different types of radio equipments to establish communication with other radio operators for the sake of enjoyment, self training, recreation, and public services. Amateur radio operation requires license for using a radio equipment and it is issued by the appropriate Government entity of different countries which is coordinated internationally through the International Telecommunication Union. The origin of amateur radio can be traced back in the late 1800s and early 1900s with the advent of the radio, which was associated with amateur experimenters and hobbyists. Amateur radio enthusiasts have made significant contributions to science, engineering, industry, and social services. To operate a radio station, an amateur radio operator needs to know about radio electronics, equipments, propagation conditions, operation methods, radio rules and regulations, and practical knowledge on CW.
An amateur radio operator is an individual who uses a radio equipment to engage in a two-way personal communication with other similar individuals on radio frequencies assigned to the amateur radio service from an amateur radio station, around the world for the enjoyment and pleasure. This is an excellent hobby if you are interested in communicating with people of different countries of the world. The term "amateur" does not imply a lack of skill or quality, but rather that amateur radio and its operators work outside of an official, governmental, or commercial capacity. Amateur radio operators use their amateur radio station to make contacts with individual hams as well as participate in round table discussion groups or "rag chew sessions" on the air. Some radio operators join regularly for scheduled on-the-air meetings with other amateur radio operators, called "nets" which are moderated by a station referred to as "Net Control". These regular Nets can allow operators to learn procedures for emergencies, an informal round table, or covering specific interests shared by a group.
Amateur radio operation needs a radio equipment, which includes a receiver, transmitter, and an antenna to communicate around the world. Radio amateurs have access to frequency allocations throughout the RF spectrum, enabling choice of frequency to enable effective communication across a city, a region, a country, a continent, or the whole world regardless of season or time of day. Different frequency bands are allocated to the radio amateurs for operation in the HF, VHF, and UHF bands and increasingly more bands are being tested on the higher radio spectrum for experimentation purposes. The HF frequency range cover 1.8 MHz - 30 MHz, VHF ranges from 30 MHz to 300 MHz, and UHF from 300 MHz through 3000 MHz. For world wide communication, radio amateurs use short wave frequencies in HF because it provides efficient communication by ionospheric reflection. The shortwave bands or HF can allow worldwide communication, the VHF and UHF bands offer excellent regional communication, and the broad microwave bands have enough space, or bandwidth, for television (known as FSTV) transmissions and high-speed data networks.
Amateur radio operator uses a wide variety of radio transmission modes to communicate, which includes CW(continuous wave), AM(amplitude modulation), FM(frequency modulation), SSB(single sideband), and computer modes such as RTTY and Packet, low power modes such as FSK441 and PSK31 that allow real-time low-power communications on the shortwave bands, and Echolink which uses Voice over IP technology to communicate through local Internet-connected repeaters and radio nodes. Fast scan amateur television uses electronics like camcorders and video cards in PCs to communicate on the 70 cm (420 MHz–450 MHz) frequency range, though there is also limited use on 33 cm (902 MHz–928 MHz), 23 cm (1240 MHz–1300 MHz) and higher.
Amateur radio repeaters or automated relay stations are used on VHF and higher frequencies to increase the signal range. Repeaters are usually located on top of a mountain, hill or a tall building which allow operators to communicate over hundreds of square miles using a low power hand-held transceiver. Repeaters can also be linked together by use of other amateur radio bands, landline or the Internet. Communication satellites such as OSCARs (Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio) are used nowadays to establish long range communication with low powered devices like a hand-held transceiver (HT).
Amateur radio operators exchange QSL cards as an acknowledgment that a contact is made with another station. QSL card consist of a beautiful picture post card that contains the callsign of the station, the frequency and time of communication, the modes and equipments used, the handle or name of the operator and address.
Hams also uses different propagation conditions such as the tropospheric ducting, aurora borealis and the ionized trails of meteors as reflectors of radio waves for communication other than ionospheric reflection.
Hams are known by their callsigns for example, VU2LVJ for my callsign. Each country has a set of alphabetic or numeric International Telecommunication Union-designated prefixes with which their call signs must begin.The different prefixes various countries use are:
India uses VU.
Australia uses AX, VH–VN and VZ.
Canada uses CF–CK, CY–CZ, VA–VG, VO (Newfoundland), VX–VY, and XJ–XO.
China uses BAA–BZZ, XSA–XSZ, 3HA–3UZ, VR (Hong Kong), XX (Macao).
Japan uses JA–JS, 7J–7N, and 8J–8N.
Mexico uses XA–XI, 4A–4C, and 6D–6J.
Russia uses R and UA–UI.
Sweden uses SA–SM and 7S, 8S.
The United Kingdom uses G, M, VS, ZB–ZJ, ZN–ZO, ZQ, and 2.
The United States uses K, W, N, and AA–AL.
Allowable power levels for communication are such that they are sufficient to enable and establish global communication. Power limits vary from country to country and between license classes within a country. For example, the power limits for the highest available license classes in a few selected countries are: 2.25 kW in Canada, was 2 kW in the former Yugoslavia, 1.5 kW in the United States, 1 kW in Belgium and Switzerland, 750 W in Germany, 500 W in Italy, 400 W in Australia, India and the United Kingdom, and 150 W in Oman. Lower license classes usually have lower power limits.
Radio amateurs are required to pass an examination to demonstrate technical knowledge, operating competence and awareness of legal and regulatory requirements in order to avoid interference with other amateurs and other radio services. There are often a series of exams available, each progressively more challenging and granting more privileges in terms of frequency availability, power output, permitted experimentation, and in some countries, distinctive call signs. Many people start their involvement in amateur radio by finding a local club. Clubs often provide information about licensing, local operating practices, and technical advice. Newcomers can also study independently by purchasing books or other materials and sometimes with the help of a mentor.
Handle: Lesley Paul V.J.
Callsign: VU2LVJ
QTH: Trivandrum, Kerala State, India.
An amateur radio operator is an individual who uses a radio equipment to engage in a two-way personal communication with other similar individuals on radio frequencies assigned to the amateur radio service from an amateur radio station, around the world for the enjoyment and pleasure. This is an excellent hobby if you are interested in communicating with people of different countries of the world. The term "amateur" does not imply a lack of skill or quality, but rather that amateur radio and its operators work outside of an official, governmental, or commercial capacity. Amateur radio operators use their amateur radio station to make contacts with individual hams as well as participate in round table discussion groups or "rag chew sessions" on the air. Some radio operators join regularly for scheduled on-the-air meetings with other amateur radio operators, called "nets" which are moderated by a station referred to as "Net Control". These regular Nets can allow operators to learn procedures for emergencies, an informal round table, or covering specific interests shared by a group.
Amateur radio operation needs a radio equipment, which includes a receiver, transmitter, and an antenna to communicate around the world. Radio amateurs have access to frequency allocations throughout the RF spectrum, enabling choice of frequency to enable effective communication across a city, a region, a country, a continent, or the whole world regardless of season or time of day. Different frequency bands are allocated to the radio amateurs for operation in the HF, VHF, and UHF bands and increasingly more bands are being tested on the higher radio spectrum for experimentation purposes. The HF frequency range cover 1.8 MHz - 30 MHz, VHF ranges from 30 MHz to 300 MHz, and UHF from 300 MHz through 3000 MHz. For world wide communication, radio amateurs use short wave frequencies in HF because it provides efficient communication by ionospheric reflection. The shortwave bands or HF can allow worldwide communication, the VHF and UHF bands offer excellent regional communication, and the broad microwave bands have enough space, or bandwidth, for television (known as FSTV) transmissions and high-speed data networks.
Amateur radio operator uses a wide variety of radio transmission modes to communicate, which includes CW(continuous wave), AM(amplitude modulation), FM(frequency modulation), SSB(single sideband), and computer modes such as RTTY and Packet, low power modes such as FSK441 and PSK31 that allow real-time low-power communications on the shortwave bands, and Echolink which uses Voice over IP technology to communicate through local Internet-connected repeaters and radio nodes. Fast scan amateur television uses electronics like camcorders and video cards in PCs to communicate on the 70 cm (420 MHz–450 MHz) frequency range, though there is also limited use on 33 cm (902 MHz–928 MHz), 23 cm (1240 MHz–1300 MHz) and higher.
Amateur radio repeaters or automated relay stations are used on VHF and higher frequencies to increase the signal range. Repeaters are usually located on top of a mountain, hill or a tall building which allow operators to communicate over hundreds of square miles using a low power hand-held transceiver. Repeaters can also be linked together by use of other amateur radio bands, landline or the Internet. Communication satellites such as OSCARs (Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio) are used nowadays to establish long range communication with low powered devices like a hand-held transceiver (HT).
Amateur radio operators exchange QSL cards as an acknowledgment that a contact is made with another station. QSL card consist of a beautiful picture post card that contains the callsign of the station, the frequency and time of communication, the modes and equipments used, the handle or name of the operator and address.
Hams also uses different propagation conditions such as the tropospheric ducting, aurora borealis and the ionized trails of meteors as reflectors of radio waves for communication other than ionospheric reflection.
Hams are known by their callsigns for example, VU2LVJ for my callsign. Each country has a set of alphabetic or numeric International Telecommunication Union-designated prefixes with which their call signs must begin.The different prefixes various countries use are:
India uses VU.
Australia uses AX, VH–VN and VZ.
Canada uses CF–CK, CY–CZ, VA–VG, VO (Newfoundland), VX–VY, and XJ–XO.
China uses BAA–BZZ, XSA–XSZ, 3HA–3UZ, VR (Hong Kong), XX (Macao).
Japan uses JA–JS, 7J–7N, and 8J–8N.
Mexico uses XA–XI, 4A–4C, and 6D–6J.
Russia uses R and UA–UI.
Sweden uses SA–SM and 7S, 8S.
The United Kingdom uses G, M, VS, ZB–ZJ, ZN–ZO, ZQ, and 2.
The United States uses K, W, N, and AA–AL.
Allowable power levels for communication are such that they are sufficient to enable and establish global communication. Power limits vary from country to country and between license classes within a country. For example, the power limits for the highest available license classes in a few selected countries are: 2.25 kW in Canada, was 2 kW in the former Yugoslavia, 1.5 kW in the United States, 1 kW in Belgium and Switzerland, 750 W in Germany, 500 W in Italy, 400 W in Australia, India and the United Kingdom, and 150 W in Oman. Lower license classes usually have lower power limits.
Radio amateurs are required to pass an examination to demonstrate technical knowledge, operating competence and awareness of legal and regulatory requirements in order to avoid interference with other amateurs and other radio services. There are often a series of exams available, each progressively more challenging and granting more privileges in terms of frequency availability, power output, permitted experimentation, and in some countries, distinctive call signs. Many people start their involvement in amateur radio by finding a local club. Clubs often provide information about licensing, local operating practices, and technical advice. Newcomers can also study independently by purchasing books or other materials and sometimes with the help of a mentor.
Handle: Lesley Paul V.J.
Callsign: VU2LVJ
QTH: Trivandrum, Kerala State, India.
A really nice intro.
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks JQX!
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