What is a HAM Radio? How Does Ham Radio Works?

Recently, the ham radio has become one of the emerging communication media that acts as a fun tool or a communication asset. With the help of the ham radio you can talk to your friends and family members not only locally and internationally, but also if they travel to the space.

Of course, communication is fast and stable no matter where you are. Apart from this, you can also save yourself and others in case of an ocean tragedy. At such times or a similar situation like an earthquake that needs instant help, once you communicate with other ham’s you will get quick help.

However, as is the case with other products, too, numerous fake products are all over in the market and finding the best ham radio base station can be a challenging thing to most people. But don’t worry.

We will discuss all details of this radio so that you get to understand them better; thus, have an easy time choosing and buying the right one.

Brief History of Ham Radio

Over 100 years ago, this radio was known as a wireless telegraphy and the earlier amateur operators were called wire operators. As professionals, they found it wise to call other ham users as “HAM”.

The origin of HAM comes from three letters ‘H’, ‘A’ and ‘M’. After much research, it was clear that there are three scientists namely; Heinrich Hertz, Edwin Armstrong and Gug lielmo Marconi who are the actual pioneers in radio communication.

From their names, the first letters were used to come up with the current name of the radio. These names are: Heinrich, Armstrong and Marconi, respectively; thus, the name; HAM.

However, Armstrong was most famous to introduce the FM radio. Actually, he was the first man to invent the regenerative electronic circuit from Columbia in 1913.

What’s more? This electronic circuit is the heart of modern ham radio.

Well, after a while, there was a bill that was created to oppose the use of the ham radio. Albert Hyman, a famous ham operator; stood before the entire congress to oppose a bill against ham radio.
The good news is that he won.

What You Need To Know Before You Buy a Ham Radio

But you need take note of one thing; you can only buy the radio to make use of it in a non-commercial base. That is, you have no authority to use the radio as a way of earning. You should only buy it for fun, communication, training, experimenting and for emergency cases. Otherwise, you should not think of possessing one.

The other thing you should have in mind is that there are authorities that govern the use of this radio. What that means is that you must acquire a license before you start using a ham radio.

But there’s nothing much you need to do and it does not take long before the whole process is complete. So, as long as you qualify to possess it, don’t worry. Go ahead and get one.

But how do you qualify?

It is easy. Taking a test. Once you take the test and pass, you automatically qualify to possess a ham radio. Remember, you may also call the ham radio as the amateur. On the other hand, you may also call the ham operators as the hams.

So, when you make a call using a ham radio, you should refer to the person on the other end as ham. He or she should call you the same.

Now, what may you use the ham radio for?

How Does Ham Radio Works?

The radio operators transmit information from one place to another with the help of radio bands. Radio bands are nothing but a series of frequency across the radio spectrum. In the ancient times; there was a transistor radio which was made with tiny electronic parts.

The fact that it was made of the transistors made the radio to be termed as a transistor radio. This radio uses AM (Amplitude Modulation) band. Its frequency ranges from 535 to 1605 khz. People would tune within this band to receive the transmissions.

The good thing is that there are as many as 26 bands specifically for ham operators and they range from 18 MHZ to 275 GHZ. However, the basic operational principles are the same for all radios. That is; the portable ham radio, mobile ham radio and base radio.

As we have mentioned previously, the ham operator can communicate locally and internationally across the globe. Not only that, but they can also communicate with astronauts working in the space.

Now, we want to explain further beyond what we mentioned earlier.
If an astronaut carries a handheld ham radio with a power output of 4/5 watts; he can communicate with an operator easily.

So, standing from the window of his carrier in the space; the astronaut can see the antenna of the other ham as long as they are in the same line of sight. That makes it possible to easily communicate with the ground operator.

With this simple technology that all the ham radios including the dual band mobile radio possess; the astronaut can easily chat with the man in the space. Plus, even if he goes higher into the heavens, there is no breakdown in their communication. However, this ham is the best of all.

The Parting point

Well, now you know the many ways that you can use the ham radio for. However, you should also know that it can transmit digital data in the shape of image or pictures both locally and around the world.

Do you mourn that you have no internet connection? Well, you actually don’t need. That’s why; the use and how the radio operates are just beyond our imagination and its use may also be limitless in the days to come.

Again, the radio possesses awesome features that make it remain connected even when all the other channels frustrate. Whether you are in the hills, the sea, the mountains or the sub-Saharan dessert, the space; the radio will help you stay connected and safe.