NF8W's Amateur Radio Page




I am Fred Wall, Jr, NF8W, and I hold an Amateur Extra license. This required successfully passing a technician test and a general test as well as passing a 5 word per minute morse code test. This was to the chagrin of many who passed a 20 wpm code test to get their Extra licenses. I can understand this, because the 5 wpm test I took was when I got my general license. Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with the American Radio Relay League's (ARRL) approval is moving to remove the code requirement for the general class license and merge Technician and General classes into one General Class license. This is disappointing. I fear that this cheapens the value of the license by making it too easy to get. This may lead to poor amateur practice and less pride in the ham community. I hope I am wrong.

One of the purposes of Amateur Radio is to promote good will among the peoples of the world. Once you obtain a General Class license, you recieve priveleges to operate on various frequencies from 1.6 MHz (Megahertz) to 29.7 MHz. These frequencies allow you to send radio signals around the world or across the nation, assuming propagation is favorable. (Factors that affect propagation include solar activity and earth's magnetic activity.)

Please make the effort to learn morse code. Although I am not a CW (Continuous Wave) operator, I am proud to have achieved the milestone of knowing an international code with which I can communicate around the world. Also, check out FISTS, an organization dedicated to the promotion of CW.

Amateur Radio is a society of Brothers and Sisters who work with each other, eat with each other, and, when necessary, police each other. There is a great deal of pride among hams, and a great deal of mutual acceptance. Like any other society, Amateur Radio has guidelines. These are expressed by the Amateur Creed:

The Amateur’s Code

  • CONSIDERATE…never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.
  • LOYAL…offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs,and the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally.
  • PROGRESSIVE…with knowledge abreast of science, a well-built and efficient station and operation above reproach.
  • FRIENDLY…slow and patient operating when requested; friendly advice and counsel to the beginner; kindly assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit.
  • BALANCED…radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.
  • PATRIOTIC…station and skill always ready for service to country and community.
—The original Amateur’s Code was written by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA, in 1928. (ARRL amateur Radio 2000 Handbook)

Amateur Radio is more than just a hobby. It has a very practical purpose--emergency communications. Through organizations like RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services) and ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services), hams train for emergencies by participating in public service activities and planned emergency drills, both announced and unannounced.

During emergency, radio amateurs provide backup communications unpo request by providing equipment and services to emergency workers and health and welfare communications, transmitting information on victims and survivors to other parts of the nation and world.

The following is taken from the explanation of Emergency communications from the ARRL's 2000 Amateur Radio Handbook, pp.2.7,2.8....

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

The FCC Rules list emergency communications as one of the purposes of the Amateur Radio Service—and in reality, the ability to provide emergency communications justifies Amateur Radio’s existence. The FCC has recognized Amateur Radio as being among the most reliable means of medium- and long-distance communication in disaster areas.

Chuck, NI5I , and Rick, WB5TJV, were two of the many hams who provided communications in the wake of a devastating earthquake in Mexico City. Amateur Radio operators have a long tradition of operating from backup power sources. Through events such as Field Day, hams have cultivated the ability to set up communication posts wherever they are needed. Moreover, Amateur Radio can provide computer networks (with over-the-air links where needed) and provide other services such as video (ATV) and store-and-forward satellite links that no other service can deploy on a wide scale. One can argue, therefore, that widespread technology makes Amateur Radio even more crucial in a disaster situation.

If you are interested in participating in this important public service, you should contact your local EC (Emergency Coordinator). Plan to participate in preparedness nets and a yearly SET (Simulated Emergency Test).

ARES AND RACES

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) are the umbrella organizations of Amateur Radio emergency communications. The ARES is sponsored by ARRL (although ARRL membership is not required for ARES participation) and handles many different kinds of public-service activities.

On the other hand, RACES is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and operates only for civil preparedness and in times of civil emergency. RACES is activated at the request of a state or federal official.

Amateurs serious about emergency communication should carry dual RACES/ ARES membership. RACES rules now make it possible for ARES and RACES to use the same frequencies, so that an ARES group also enrolled in RACES can work in either organization as required by the situation.

Examples of the types of emergencies hams assist in include tornados, hurricanes, lost children, severe weather, terror attacks and power failures. If you are a licensed Amateur Radio Operator and would like to offer your equipment and services to this vital effort, please contact RACES or ARES.



To prove the contacts they have made, hams often keep station logs and collect QSL cards. "QSL" is code for message or contact is confirmed. Hams take joy in designing their QSL cards and view them as expressions of themselves. Many hams proudly display the QSL cards they have collected.


If you want to become a licensed Amateur Radio Operator, Contact the ARRL for information. Another good place to start is with the book Now You're Talking--ISBN 0-87259-797-0--published by the ARRL. Additionally, by visiting their site, you can find a test site as well as experienced hams who will be glad to help you out.

73 Best Wishes!