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What Is Amateur Radio?

Amateur radio, which is better known by its nickname, "ham radio", is a special radio service that permits people to operate radio transmitting equipment for personal, non-commerical purposes. Amateurs, or "hams", can use up to 1000 watts of power (as high as some small commercial radio stations) to communicate with each other using Morse code, voice, video, and digital data. Hams operate their stations from the homes, cars, airplanes, and space. They transmit their signals across town and around the world by bouncing their radio signals off the ionosphere, the moon, meteor vapor trails, and satellites. Hams use frequencies from just above the AM radio band to short waves to VHF/UHF, and microwaves.

Hams use their radios in many ways--send important messages, provide emergency communications, and to just talk to their fellow hams. Recently hams were called on in Texas to help in the search for the debris from the Columbia disaster.

Why Ham Radio?

Ham radio many applications and communications while four wheeling is one. Ham radio and four wheeling are a natural combination. Four wheelers need to communicate from vehicle to vehicle and from group to group. There are several basic way that ham radio can be used in four wheeling:

• Trail communications. When four wheelers are trail riding as a group, they need a way for the trail leader to communicate with the trial riders and assistants.
  
• Caravanning. Four wheelers like to travel together to and from events, and radios permit them to coordinate stops and to kibbitz each other along the way.
  
• Emergency communications. In case of an emergency, radios can be used to summon assistance.
  
• Remote operating. Many hams enjoy operating their stations from remote locations. Mountain tops are a popular place to use a station. Four wheel drive vehicles permit hams to reach locations that are not otherwise reachable.

Ham radio includes several bands and modes. The most appropriate for trail communications and caravanning is 2 meter FM.

Ham vs. CB

CB radios are the most common type of radio used by four wheelers on trail rides. They are popular because they are inexpensive (as low as $40), are readily available, and no license is required. CBs are used primarily for coordination of vehicles on the trail and secondarily to communicate between vehicles caravanning to and from a ride.

The ham operating mode most comparable to CB is 2 meter FM. It is called "2 meters" because that is the approximate wavelength at the frequency of 144 MHz. Hams also operate FM on the" 70 cm" band. (CB is also called "11 meters" because that is its approximate wavelength at 26 MHz where the CB band is located on the radio dial). 2 meter communicatinos is called "FM" because it is frequency modulated like FM broadcast radio; CB is amplitude modulated, or AM, like AM broadcast radio. Two meters has several key advantages over CB as follows::

• Clearer signals
  FM provides clearer, more understandable transmissions than the AM of CB
  
• Less noise and interference
  CB is subject to severe interference from lightning, engine ignition noise, and and other natural and man-made sources. Due to use of illegal amplifiers, CB signals often interfere with adjacent channels. Also CB signals often "skip" across long distances making it difficult to use some channels.
  
• More power
  CBs are limited to 4 watts, but ham radios often transmit at 50-100 watts, or higher with amplifiers, which are legal on the ham bands (max 1000 watts continuous).
  
• Greater Distance
  One consequence of greater power is greater distance of communication. In addition hams can use repeaters, which are special receive-retransmit stations placed high on towers and buildings. Repeaters increase communication distances to about 50 miles.
  
• Modern equipment
  CB is the last place that the old fashioned AM mode is widely used. AM hogs frequencies, is very noisy, and is subject to ear splitting interference between statioins. Hams use crystal clear narrrow band FM for short distance and and very efficient single sideband for long distances.
  
• Courteous operators
  In general ham radio operator are more courteous and helpful than CBers. "Trash talk" is virtually non-existent on the ham bands.

There are several disadvantages to ham radio for the four wheeler:

• License
  You will need a Tech class license to use 2 meter or 70 cm FM. This requires that you pass a test on technical and operating topics. There is no code requirement! Code is required only for the general class license and higher. Those classes permit you to operate on the HF (short wave) bands.
  
• Radio Cost
  2 meter ham radios are more expensive than CBs but not that much. You can purchase a very good 2 meter radio with plenty of power (50 watts), for about $200.
  

Can I Pass the Ham Test?

Yes! The test is taken from a published list of questions. All you have to do is study the material and the questions. For more information see licensing. Kids as young as 5 have passed the licensing exam.