Amateur Radio offers something for everyone regardless of your individual background or interest. This page contains links to several sites that illustrate the variety available to the licensed "ham". Though it hardly scratches the surface, it is enough information to overwhelm the seasoned ham as well as the newcomer.

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Emergency Communications and Message Handling

• The National Traffic System (NTS) is a "network of networks" routinely passing messages across the airwaves and keeping the skills finely tuned in the event of an emergency, disaster or other situation requiring rapid and efficient communications. If publilc service is your thing, then so is participation in the NTS.

Space Communications and Amateur Radio Satellites

• The Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) is an organization responsible for pioneering the amateur space satellite initiative. Visit their web site for a brief history of the amateur satellite program.
• The Space Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX) has equiped the U.S. Space Shuttle crews with amateur radio equipment through which, they can communicate with earthlings in particular, educational institutions around the world.
• In order to track satellites in orbit, precise calculations must be made to determine the location of the satellite at any given instant. The calculations rely on intricate baseline data called "Keplerian Sets", named after a great scientist of the past, Johannes Kepler. For current Keplerian data, visit the AMSAT site .

Long Distance (DX) Communications

• Most HAMS dream of working far away, distant lands. This long distance communicatons is known as DX and is often accomplished through tedious effort and superior operating skills. Successful DX contacts are dependent on many variables such as atmospheric conditions, antenna efficiency, receiver sensitivity and selectivity and the skill of the operator.
• Propagation is the ability of a radio signal to move between two specified points, either in space on on the earth. At "high frequencies" (between 3 and 30 megahertz), the characteristics of the earths atmosphere and solar activity are the main contributing factors.

Radio Contests

• The competitive spirit of HAMS is most prevalent during Contest Periods. If you'd like to try your operating skills agains other HAMS, then you will want to give contesting a try.

VHF, UHF and Microwave Communications

• This 50 MHz Beacon List contains a roster of known propagation beacons operating in the 6 meter amateur band. Amateurs use the beacons as "warning signs" for exotic band openings and a chance to snag a rare VHF DX contact.
• K2CEK sponsors this site. Here you will find a wide range of information of interest to the VHF/UHF/Microwave enthusiast.
• N4IP is another "lover of the arts" in the world above 30 megaherts. Give this site a visit.

Amateur Television

U.S. ATV Groups
• Metrovision  is a group of amateur focused on amateur television. This group designed and built the worlds first amateur television repeater. Drop by and take a peek at ATV.
• The Baltimore Radio Amateur Television Society is also a pioneer in the amateur television world.
• Arizona 2.4 GHz. FM ATV page
• Atlanta ATV
• Black Mtn. ATV Repeater (Palo Alto, CA--Stanford U./South Bay ATV)
• Pennsylvania: Amateur Television in Pittsburgh
• Brookdale, New Jersey ATV
• Central and Southern California ATV
• Dayton, Ohio ATV
• Houston Amateur Television Society (HATS)
• Keystone VHF Club, York, Pennsylvania
• N2BQV's Amateur TV Home Page
• Tampa Bay Amateur Television Society
• Ohio: Amateur Television in Central Ohio (ATCO)
• Blue Ridge Video and Digital Society
• Southern California ATV Sights and Sounds
• Utah ATV
• WA6ZJG -- San Francisco, California ATV
• Western Washington Amateur Television Society (WWATS)
  
  Foreign ATV Groups

• Niederrhein ATV in N. Germany and Netherlands
• NL9222 Netherlands ATV
• Slovenian ATV Team - ATVS

Packet Radio Communications

• The Tuscon Amateur Packet Radio Group (TAPR) has pioneered much of todays amateur digital communications efforts. If you are interested in digital communications, this is the place to go.

Design, Construction and Experimental Technology

• The Amateur Radio Research and Development Corp. (AMRAD) has its fingers into virtually every facit of amateur technology and is responsible for developing or fine tuning many of the techniques used my amateurs, worldwide. If you are a "techie", this is a siter you will not want to miss.
• QRZ maintains a large database of Equipment Modifications . Most HAMS cannot resist the temptation of getting their fingers into their equipment. This site will help you find many of the modifications you are searching for.

Clubs and Fraternal Organizations

• The Quarter Century Wireless Association is a fraternal organization for amateurs that have been licensed in excess of 25 years. You won't find a friendlier group of " Old Timers " or a more lucrative source of hams willing to help the newcomer.
• "The American Radio Relay League is a non-commercial association of radio amateurs, organized for the promotion of interest in Amateur Radio communications and experimentation, for the establishment of networks too provide communications in the event of disasters or other emergencies, for the advancement of the radio art and of the public welfare, for the representation of the radio amateur in legislative matters, and for the maintenance of fraternalism and a high standard of conduct." -- QST Magazine