📡 The Hobby Explained
Amateur
Radio
A global community of licensed operators connecting across continents, experimenting with technology, and serving their communities — all with radio waves.
Key Facts
The Hobby
What is Amateur Radio?
Amateur radio — "ham radio" — is a licensed radio service where operators communicate using designated frequencies for personal enjoyment, technical experimentation, and public service. No internet. No cell towers. Just RF, physics, and skill.
Hams communicate locally and globally, build their own equipment, assist in emergency communications, bounce signals off the Moon, and talk to the International Space Station.
DX Chasing
Contact operators across continents — sometimes on 100 watts and a wire.
Digital Modes
FT8, WSPR, and JS8Call let weak signals span the globe reliably.
Satellites
Communicate through amateur satellites or even bounce signals off the Moon.
EmComm
When disasters knock out infrastructure, ham radio operators step up.
Getting Licensed
Three License Classes
Level 01
Technician
Entry level. VHF/UHF privileges plus limited HF. 35-question exam. Most new hams start here.
35 questions • ~$15 fee
Level 02
General
Opens all HF bands with full privileges. This is where DX chasing really begins. 35-question exam.
35 questions • ~$15 fee
Level 03
Extra
Maximum privileges on every band. 50-question exam. Extra-class sub-bands have less congestion.
50 questions • ~$15 fee