Ham Radio
So, You Want to be a Ham?         Pocatello Amateur Radio Club (PARC)

You've got it -- the ham radio bug.  PARC can help you earn your  FCC Amateur Radio License. 
Moms and Dads,  Amateur Radio is a great technology based hobby for all ages, including young people (junior high age and up). It's a great Hobby to meet new people that enjoy a wide range of Radio and Electronic disciplines . 
Ham Radio offers so many different areas to explore it's impossible to list, let alone explain everything in one page. Amateur radio is the premier high-tech hobby. It's enjoyed by people from all walks of life from around the world. The rules for becoming an amateur (ham) radio operator vary from country to country around the world. On this page we're going to tell you a little about the hobby and how you can obtain the necessary license to operate in the United States. Amateur Radio is a Licensed radio service. The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, issues amateur radio licenses in the United States. You don't need to learn Morse code anymore.

It's never been so easy to get into ham radio. All ham radio operators must be licensed before they can legally operate. Amateur Radio  differs a great deal from the CB (crude, rude, unregulated ) and FRS (i.e. dimestore walkie-talkie) services which require no licenses.

Amateur radio operators must be licensed because they are given transmitting privileges on a wide variety of frequencies and are allow to use just about any equipment imaginable, even home built radios. Amateurs are allotted not single specific frequencies but usually whole ranges (bands) of different frequencies to operate on. These frequencies and methods of transmission are are specified by FCC rules and so it is therefore necessary to be generally familiar with your operating limitations in order to transmit lawfully.

In order to qualify for an amateur radio license, you must pass certain tests to determine that you have the required knowledge. Fortunately, the tests are not terribly difficult for most people. There are three license levels (known as classes) where each class grants greater privileges to the individual. There is a single written test for each license class. The license classes are:

• Technician Class - this is the entry level license. It gives privileges on all amateur frequencies above 50 Mhz , mostly for local conversations
• General Class  & Extra Class - these classes  include privileges on amateur frequencies that includes global HF (shortwave) communications. world wide communications.

Who are hams and what do they do?

Hams share a fascination with communications, electronics, & new technologies. They're from all walks of life, from nearly every nation. They communicate by voice, data (computers), Morse code and other exciting ways. They build electronic circuits. They compete via "on the air" contests. Plus,  You never know who you'll contact -- maybe a nurse in France, a neighbor across town, an orbiting astronaut or a factory worker in China. A Rock Star in California ?? 

If you are just trying to understand the basics of Amateur Radio we suggest you check out this web page. WE DO THAT .  Some of the information present below is a bit technical. However, once you look over the link, come back here and continue down the page. There are links to local clubs and other local information presented below.

here's two places to learn more.    see this link too          eHam link .

I've heard ham radio's expensive...

No doubt some hams spend a lot of their budget on  radios. But many ham's  "work the world" with a homemade wire antenna and an inexpensive transceiver. Many people start out with simple gear, and move on to more sophisticated equipment later.

How Do I Get Started?

Getting started in Amateur Radio has never been easier. First, contact a PARC Board of Director member. They can help you find a ham radio licensing class, or they can answer your questions. You are even be invited to attend our radio club meeting. To get on the PARC  Email list,  receive occasional  PARC emails about local events and meetings,  email jcwilson((at))ida.net  indicate you want on the PARC email list.

The American Radio Relay League, or ARRL, publishes popular ham radio license study guides to help you learn the things you'll need to pass your exam and have fun with Amateur Radio.

The Amateur Radio license examinations are administered by ham radio volunteers. When you're ready to take your exam, you'll need to locate an exam session near you.

Okay, you've got me — what do I do next?

If you live in SE Idaho, its easy as CLICKING HERE , 
your on the way to an exciting new hobby !