Amateur Radio League of Lawrence County 

What Is Amateur Radio?

Here's your invitation to a friendly, high-tech hobby that's got something fun for everyone! You can become an Amateur Radio operator--no matter what age, gender or physical ability. People from all walks of life pass their entry level exams and earn their Amateur (ham) Radio licenses. They all share the diverse world of activities you can explore with ham radio.

You never know who you'll run into when communicating with Amateur Radio: Young people, retirees, teachers and students, engineers and scientists, doctors, mechanics and technicians, homemakers...
Getting started in ham radio has never been easier! We invite you to explore the following information and learn about Amateur Radio.  We know you'll enjoy this fascinating world of Amateur Radio, and we hope to have the chance of meeting you on the air--when you become an Amateur Radio operator!

What Can Amateur Radio Operators Do?

Ham radio operators use two-way radio stations from their homes, cars, boats and
outdoors to make hundreds of friends around town and around the world. They
communicate with each other using voice, computers, and Morse code. Some hams
bounce their signals off the upper regions of the atmosphere, so they can talk with hams
on the other side of the world. Other hams use satellites. Many use hand-held radios
that fit in their pockets. Hams exchange pictures of each other using  television. Some also like to work on electronic circuits, building their own radios and antennas. A
few pioneers in Amateur Radio have even contributed to advances in technology that we all enjoy today. There are even ham-astronauts who take radios with them on space shuttle missions and thrill thousands of hams on earth with a call from space!
Using even the simplest of radio setups and antennas, amateurs communicate with each other for fun, during emergencies, and even in contests. They handle messages for police and other public service organizations during all kinds of emergencies including:

•               Hurricanes
•               Earthquakes
•               Tornadoes and floods
•               Motorist accidents
•               Fires and chemical spills
•               Search and rescues

Sounds interesting....

Where Do I Start?

The rules for earning an Amateur Radio license vary depending on which country you live in.  In the US, there are six license levels, or "license classes." These licenses are granted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Two Beginner Licenses To Choose From

The most popular license for beginners is the Technician Class license, which no longer requires a Morse Code examination, and gives you all ham radio privileges above 30 megahertz (MHz). These privileges include the very popular 2 meter band. Many Technician licensees enjoy using small (2 meter) hand-held radios to stay in touch with other hams in their area. Technicians may operate FM voice, digital packet computers), television, single-sideband voice and several other interesting modes. They can even make international radio contacts via satellites, using relatively simple equipment. To earn a Technician license, you'll need to pass the Novice and Technician written exams. These are multiple-choice tests, written with beginners in mind. You'll study topics such as radio operating practices, FCC rules and basic electrical theory.

The Novice Class license lets you talk by radio using voice, Morse code or computers. To earn a Novice license, you'll need to pass the Novice written exam and a 5 words-per-minute Morse code test.  Novice Class operating privileges include FM voice (on the 222-MHz band), digital packet, and single-sideband voice on the 10-meter band. Novice operators may also use many other popular shortwave frequencies (below 30 MHz) to communicate worldwide using Morse code.

How Do I Get Started?

Getting started in Amateur Radio has never been easier. The ARLLC offers ham radio licensing classes, or a club volunteer will answer your questions. You are invited to attend a ARLLC club meeting.

The American Radio Relay League (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.

To Learn more about Amateur Radio, explore the ARRL Web site.

Visit The Home of Nu Software, Great software for new and "OLD" hams, study code or get ready for an exam.