A
radio amateur, amateur operator, "ham radio" operator, most often referred
to as a "ham" is a person licensed to operate in the amateur service, a
radio service which allows people throughout the world to communicate to
each other. Most countries allow amateur operations and allow for licensing
of ham stations through an examination process, however, countries can
specify that their radio amateurs not communicate with those of another,
amateur operations can be suspended by executive order in the United States
(as was the case during World War II), and third-party communications such
as "phone patches" usually require the first two parties to be operating
from countries with an appropriate treaty in effect. This hobby, one of
the few actually regulated by Federal or equivalent level government has
existed since the early years of the radio art. Today, the hobby has much
use in times of emergency, and many who are licensed use it daily to communicate
with friends and loved ones who also possess licenses. Two or more hams
in the same family is fairly commonplace today. To obtain an amateur license
in the United States, you must be qualified per FCC regs and take an examination(s).
You may check with a Volunteer Exam Coordinator or VEC for additional information
on this. There are currently over a dozen accredited VEC's in the U.S., and
each will gladly supply you with additional information. The
FCC has a complete list of all VEC's on their site through this link.
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