RED COVERED BRIDGE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
The Red Covered Bridge Amateur Radio Club (RCBARC) meets on odd-numbered months at 7pm at the Princeton city hall. Any changes pertaining to the meeting will be announced on the Monday Night Net preceding the meeting night. Anyone currently active or just interested in Amateur radio and communications is welcome to attend. Coffee at a local restaurant usually follows the meetings, and is a great way to get to know local Hams.
WHAT IS "HAM" RADIO???
The following is reproduced with permission from the American Radio Relay League.
The originating page is http://www.hello-radio.org/whatis.html.
Visit the ARRL at www.arrl.org
A housewife in North Carolina makes friends over the radio with another ham in
Lithuania. An Ohio teenager uses his computer to upload a digital chess move to
an orbiting space satellite, where it's retrieved by a fellow chess enthusiast
in Japan. An aircraft engineer in Florida participating in a "DX contest" swaps
his call sign and talks to hams in 100 different countries during a single
weekend. In California, volunteers save lives as part of their involvement in an
emergency response. And from his room in Chicago, a ham's pocket-sized hand-held
radio allows him to talk to friends in the Carolinas. This unique mix of fun,
public service and convenience is the distinguishing characteristic of Amateur
Radio. Although hams get involved for many reasons, they all have in common a
basic knowledge of radio technology and operating principles, and pass an
examination for the FCC license to operate on radio frequencies known as the
"Amateur Bands." These bands are radio frequencies reserved by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) for use by hams at intervals from just above the
AM broadcast band all the way up into extremely high microwave frequencies.
Listen to this spot, "What
Is Ham Radio?"
Who's the Typical Ham?
Amateur Radio operators come from all walks of life -- movie stars,
missionaries, doctors, students, politicians, truck drivers and just plain
folks. They are all ages, sexes, income levels and nationalities. They say Hello
to the world in many languages and many ways. But whether they prefer Morse code
on an old brass telegraph key, voice communication on a hand-held radio, or
computerized messages transmitted via satellite, they all have an interest in
what's happening in the world, and they use radio to reach out.
What's the Appeal of Ham Radio?
Some hams are attracted by the ability to communicate across the country, around
the globe, or even with astronauts on space missions. Others may like to build
and experiment with electronics. Computer hobbyists enjoy using Amateur Radio's
digital communications opportunities. Those with a competitive streak enjoy "DX
contests," where the object is to see how many hams in distant locations they
can contact. Some like the convenience of a technology that gives them portable
communication. Mostly we use it to open the door to new friendships over the air
or through participation in one of more than 2000 Amateur Radio clubs throughout
the country. Read real person comments in "Why
I Love It!".
Why Do You Need a License?
Although the main purpose of Amateur Radio is fun, it is called the "Amateur
Radio Service" because it also has a serious face. The FCC created this
"Service" to fill the need for a pool of experts who could provide backup during
emergencies. In addition, the FCC acknowledged the ability of the hobby to
advance the communication and technical skills of radio, and to enhance
international goodwill. This philosophy has paid off. Countless lives have been
saved where skilled hobbyists act as emergency communicators to render aid,
whether it's during an earthquake in Italy or a hurricane in the U.S.
Why Do They Call Themselves "Hams"?
"Ham: a poor operator. A 'plug.'"
That's the definition of the word given in G. M. Dodge's "The Telegraph
Instructor" even before there was radio. The definition has never changed in
wire telegraphy. The first wireless operators were landline telegraphers who
left their offices to go to sea or to man the coastal stations. They brought
with them their language and much of the tradition of their older profession. In
those early days, every station occupied the same wavelength-or, more accurately
perhaps, every station occupied the whole spectrum with its broad spark signal.
Government stations, ships, coastal stations and the increasingly numerous
amateur operators all competed for time and signal supremacy in each other's
receivers. Many of the amateur stations were very powerful. Two amateurs,
working each other across town, could effectively jam all the other operations
in the area. Frustrated commercial operators would refer to the ham radio
interference by calling them "hams." Amateurs, possibly unfamiliar with the real
meaning of the term, picked it up and applied it to themselves in true "Yankee
Doodle" fashion and wore it with pride. As the years advanced, the original
meaning has completely disappeared.
Do I Have to Learn Morse Code?
Not any more! While many hams LIKE to use Morse code, it is not required.
What are some of the other ways radio hams communicate? What do they sound like?
There is a great variety of ways that Amateur Radio operators are able to
communicate. Using voice is just one. Morse code is still widely used. Here is
what "hello" sounds like
in Morse code. Packet,
Radio Teletype (often
called Ritty) and PSK
are three more. Even faster transmissions are being developed using methods
which can send almost any form of digital data. Hams also use
television to send
pictures over the air.
What are the Amateur Radio Bands?
Look at the dial on an old AM radio and you'll see frequencies marked from 535
to 1605 kilohertz. This is one radio "band." There are other bands of radio
spectrum for amateur, government, military and commercial radio uses. If you
could hear the many different bands, you would find aircraft, ship, fire and
police communication, as well as the so-called "shortwave" stations, which are
worldwide commercial and government broadcast stations from the U.S. and
overseas. Amateurs are allocated 26 bands (i.e., specific groups of frequencies)
spaced from 1.8 Megahertz, which is just above the broadcast radio frequencies,
all the way up to 275 Gigahertz! Depending on which band we use, we can talk
across town, around the world, or out to satellites in space. Hams can even
bounce signals off the moon!
How Much Does it Cost?
Basic study materials for passing the FCC test and getting your initial license
usually cost less than $40. There are also classes held by many local groups for
people who want more interaction. If possible, taking part in one of these
classes is the best way to go, but there's even an online course you can take if
your personal schedule is too hectic. Once you have your first license, most
hams find it best to start with simple equipment and grow over time. It usually
costs less than $200 to get your own first radio and start saying Hello. Many
ham radio flea markets are held all over the country that sell good used
equipment for even less.
What is the ARRL?
Founded in 1914, the 150,000-member ARRL - The National Association for Amateur
Radio is the national association for Amateur Radio in the USA. Other countries
also have their own national associations. The ARRL not only reflects the
commitment and many enthusiasms of American hams, but also provides leadership
as the voice of Amateur Radio in the USA, whether in dealings with the Federal
Communications Commission, the World Administrative Radio Conference, the
International Amateur Radio Union, or with the general public. The ARRL is the
primary source of information about what is going on in the ham radio world. It
provides books, news, support and information for individuals and clubs, special
operating events, all sorts of continuing education classes and other benefits
for its members. Being a member of the ARRL is important for hams!
Where Do I Get More Information?
The best ways to learn about Amateur Radio is to talk to hams face-to-face. Hams
take pride in their ability to "Elmer" (teach) newcomers the ropes to get them
started in the hobby. There is probably an Amateur Radio club near you that will
welcome your interest. To find out who to contact in your area,
click here
