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TECHOMAN GUIDE: What is Amateur Radio (Ham Radio)?

What is Amateur Radio (Ham Radio)?

Amateur radio, often called Ham radio, is a hobby and public service that brings people, electronics, and communication together. Enthusiasts - known as "hams" - use radio transmitters and receivers to communicate with each other across neighbourhoods, towns, cities, countries and around the world, and even into space, without the need for the internet or cell phone networks.

Origins and Name

The term "ham" is believed to date back to the early 1900s, originally a informal and disapproving term used by professional telegraphers to describe amateur operators. Over time, the amateur radio community adopted it as a badge of honour.

Amateur radio began in the early 20th century, around the same time as the development of radio technology itself. The hobby has since grown worldwide, with millions of licensed operators across virtually every country.

How It Works

Ham radio operators use a range of radio frequencies set aside specifically for amateur use by governments and international agreements. These frequencies span multiple bands across the radio spectrum, including high frequency (HF), very high frequency (VHF), and ultra high frequency (UHF) bands.

Depending on the band and the power of their equipment, hams can:

  • Talk across a city using handheld radios (like walkie-talkies, mobile transceivers or home station setups),
  • Communicate globally by bouncing signals off the ionosphere,
  • Transmit data and images,
  • Even bounce signals off the moon (Earth-Moon-Earth or EME communication).
  • Communicate using high transmit power, far higher than CB, PRS and most commercial radio users. 

What Do Ham Operators Do?

Amateur radio is incredibly diverse with operators engaging in:

1. Emergency Communications:

  • When disasters strike and conventional communications fail, ham radio often remains operational. Operators provide critical communications during events like hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires.
  • Many hams are part of organizations like AREC (Amateur Radio Emergency Communications) here in New Zealand.

2. Experimentation and Technology:

  • Hams experiment with antennas, digital modes, and even build their own equipment.
  • They help advance radio technology and are often involved in innovations such as packet radio and satellite communications.

3. Contesting and Awards:

  • Hams participate in "contests" to make the most contacts in a set period or to reach specific countries or regions.
  • Popular awards for locations, transmission distance and communicating in contests.

4. Satellites and Space Communication:

  • Hams can communicate through satellites (called OSCARs – Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio) or even the International Space Station, which often has a ham equipment onboard.

5. Community and Education:

  • Most Amateur Radio Clubs promote learning, host public demonstrations, and support events like Field Days, where operators set up portable stations to practice emergency readiness.

Getting Licensed

Unlike CB (Citizen’s Band) radio or PRS (Personal Radio Service), ham radio requires a license because it uses more powerful transmitters and a broader range of frequencies.

In most countries, including New Zealand, licensing involves passing an exam that covers:

  • Basic electronics and radio theory
  • Operating practices and regulations
  • Safety procedures

Why It Matters Today

Despite the rise of smartphones and the internet, amateur radio remains relevant. It offers:

  • Reliable communication when infrastructure fails,
  • A hands-on way to learn about electronics, radio theory, and communication,
  • A global, inclusive community united by curiosity and service.

It’s not just old-fashioned voice communication, either. Modern ham radio incorporates:

  • Digital modes like FT8 and PSK31
  • Internet-linked repeaters (e.g., EchoLink. D-STAR, DMR, etc)
  • Satellite tracking and telemetry

Conclusion

Amateur radio is more than a hobby - it's a blend of science, service, and global camaraderie. Whether you're looking to serve your community, tinker with technology, or just make new friends around the world, Ham radio offers something for everyone. All it takes is curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a radio.

Did You Know?

  • Astronauts aboard the ISS often use ham radio to talk to students on Earth.
  • Some hams communicate using Morse code, which remains a popular and efficient mode.
  • You can build your first antenna using household materials.

Want to Get Started?

NZART can help with more information: https://nzart.org.nz/learn/