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'''Amateur Radio''', also called by some "ham radio", is a hobby pass-time followed by people in most countries of the world, using internationally coordinated, specifically designated, frequency bands. Each country or jurisdiction separately allocates the frequencies and licences its operators to use specific power levels or modes of communication.  

'''Amateur Radio''', also called by some "ham radio", is a hobby pass-time followed by people in most countries of the world, using internationally coordinated, specifically designated, frequency bands. Each country or jurisdiction separately allocates the frequencies and licences its operators to use specific power levels or modes of communication. They are issued a personal callsign that has letters reflecting their country's international callsign area, a number reflecting the state or region, and letters that particularise the callsign to them. See examples below.

Operators set up their stations normally in their homes, and use antenna systems suitable for their domestic situation. This may limit the frequency bands on which they can operate, as longer wavelength transmissions normally require larger antenna. Also, larger aerial arrays are needed to achieve higher transmission gain on higher frequencies. Vehicle mounted radios and antennas can also be used.

Operators set up their stations normally in their homes, and use antenna systems suitable for their domestic situation. This may limit the frequency bands on which they can operate, as longer wavelength transmissions normally require larger antenna. Also, larger aerial arrays are needed to achieve higher transmission gain on higher frequencies. Vehicle mounted radios and antennas can also be used.

 

 

The [[International Space Station]] has an extensive suite of Amateur Radio equipment, as did the Russian MIR spacecraft. Most cosmonauts and astronauts are licensed operators.

Frequency bands and modes of operation include:

Frequency bands and modes of operation include:

Additionally, they operated their radios to make contact with 'ordinary' Amateurs and give them highly prized "QSL contact card" with a country, state, provice, or area where there were very few operators. Among Amateur Radio operators in developed countries the missionaries were, and still  are, a very welcome and highly prized group of people, often supported with donations to support their ability to provide the much sought after QSL card, or through having someone manage their QSL card distribution. The usual form of exchange is for the Amateur to send a "green stamp" (a US$1 bill) in exchange for the QSL card. This pays for the mailing of the card, and normally left a little besides as a donation for the missionary.

Additionally, they operated their radios to make contact with 'ordinary' Amateurs and give them highly prized "QSL contact card" with a country, state, provice, or area where there were very few operators. Among Amateur Radio operators in developed countries the missionaries were, and still  are, a very welcome and highly prized group of people, often supported with donations to support their ability to provide the much sought after QSL card, or through having someone manage their QSL card distribution. The usual form of exchange is for the Amateur to send a "green stamp" (a US$1 bill) in exchange for the QSL card. This pays for the mailing of the card, and normally left a little besides as a donation for the missionary.

==External links==

==External links==

* [http://www.arrl.org Amarican Radio Relay League (ARRL)] - hobby society body for USA

* [http://www.arrl.org Amarican Radio Relay League (ARRL)] - hobby society body for USA

* [http://www.amsat.org The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation] of North America

* [http://www.amsat.org The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation] of North America

[[Categories:Hobbies]]

[[Categories:Hobbies]]