An Insight Into HAM-ing
Amateur radio operators or hams use simple transceivers to communicate with other operators as designated radio frequencies. The International Telecommunication Union permits hams to use radios only for ham correspondence and non-pecuniary purposes. Hams are not allowed to broadcast publically. After passing a simple examination even a young teenager can get a radio permit and a unique call sign. Hams indulge themselves in a wide range of activities other than merely communicating with other operators freely across the globe. "Fox Hunting" is a game based on orienteering in which hams use a compass and a radio to navigate across a region in a race to search for hidden radio transmitters.
Other prospects include weather spotting, emergency communication which has proved versatile during calamities across the globe and amateur multimedia transmission. Those who are interested in science keep experimenting with their ham kits to come up with better radios which are capable of transmitting over long distances with lesser power inputs, the hobby is popularly known as 'homebrewing'. Operators use various modes of communication the most popular one being frequency modulation (FM) for voice transmission. FM offers higher quality and the radio sets are affordable. Aficionados of the classic Morse code technique practice radiotelegraphy which is an extension of wire based land line communication.
With a computer and a 'packet radio' one can also communicate through the internet using a hand-held transceiver. Also amateur television allows one to use video recorders etc and radios to transmit comfortably over short distances. However, with the use of repeaters and satellites carrying amateur radios hams can also transmit over longer distances. A combination of satellites and bounce backs from the moon, meteors one can communicate with the International space station as well. However, one cannot use encryption for transmission through a ham radio. What is really alluring is the freedom to build and modify radios without government certification. But hams need to stick to regulations regarding the frequencies and the intensity of transmission. This is because high power transmission and have spurious emissions and damage nearby TV, Radio signaling and other electronics.
With the use of proper frequencies ham can modulate the distance over which they can communicate. Different countries allow their hams to communicate under different power outputs of the radio. Ardent radio amateurs also take delight in collecting QSL cards. QSL is a standard transmission code that stands for a question or a statement generally used to confirm a two way communication between amateur radios. So a transmitter poses a QSL question to the receiver who after intercepting the data sends a QSL card as confirmation. As big as a postcard, these cards are sent through the mail and exchanged between ham operators across the globe.
Amateur radioing is becoming increasingly popular as a scientific hobby across the globe with almost every nation distributing radio licenses. Being affordable ham communication already exists are networks in many universities and even across borders. Involving people from all walks of life it is truly making the world a global connected village.