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

You've got it -- the ham radio bug. It's hitting a lot of people these days! We'll show you how easy it is to earn your Federal Communications Commission Amateur Radio License.  Its a great hobby for young people (kids - jr high school age and up). It's a great place to meet new people that enjoy the wide variety of amateur radio communications.  There is so many different areas to explore in this hobby it's impossible to explain on one page.  It would take a book. 

The rules for earning an Amateur Radio license vary depending on which country you live in. The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, issues amateur radio licenses in the United States. In the U.S., there are three license levels, or "license classes."

Who are hams and what do they do?

Hams share fascination with communicating. They're from all walks of life, and nearly all nations. They communicate by voice, data (computers), Morse code and other exciting ways hams have found to make contact with other hams. You never know who you'll run into -- maybe a nurse in France, a neighbor across town, an orbiting space shuttle astronaut or a factory worker in China.

For another discussion about "what is" Ham Radio see this ARRL link  
and another place to learn more.  see this eHam link .

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--ida.net (replace the dashes with   @ ) indicate you want on the PARC 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.

What can I do with a Technicians Class license?

Hams enter the hobby as Technicians by passing a 35-question multiple-choice examination. No Morse code test is required. The exam covers basic regulations, operating practices, and electronics theory, with a focus on VHF and UHF applications.

Technician Class operators are authorized to use all amateur  frequencies above 50 MHz.  These are mostly used for local communications using FM walkie talkie radios.  However, long distance  communications on SSB or CW is possible  with a good antenna when the propagation conditions are good. Good propagation on Technician frequencies only happen <1% of the time. Not often.

Want to work the world  ?? , you need a General or Extra Class License 

What can I do with a General Class license?

The General Class is a giant step up in operating privileges. The high-power HF privileges granted to General licensees allow for cross-country and worldwide communication. Some people prefer to earn the General Class license as their first ticket, so they may operate on HF right away.

In addition to the Technician privileges, General Class operators are authorized to operate on any frequency in the 160, 30, 17, 12, and 10 meter bands. They may also use significant segments of the 80, 40, 20, and 15 meter bands.  Some of these bands enjoy the possibility of distant communications most of the time.  not all, but most of the time. 

What can I do with an Extra Class license?

The HF bands can be crowded, particularly at the top of the solar cycle. Once one earns HF privileges, one may quickly yearn for more room. The Extra Class license is the answer.

General licensees may upgrade to Extra Class by passing a 50-question multiple-choice examination.  In addition to some of the more obscure regulations, the test covers specialized operating practices, advanced electronics theory, and radio equipment design.

Extra Class licensees are authorized to operate on all frequencies allocated to the Amateur Service.

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

No doubt some hams spend a lot of their budget on their radios. But others "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.

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

its easy as CLICKING HERE   ,  your on the way to an exciting new hobby !