Marian's Amateur Radio page

WHAT IS AMATEUR RADIO?
By Marian Oliastro, W3MHO
September 2, 2001

"What exactly is Amateur Radio? " is a question we get very often. Most people have heard of it. Every once in a while there is a reference on the news that someone, somewhere, made contact with a ham radio operator and the message was passed on to the proper parties. Sometimes there is a reference made in a movie to ham radio or Morse code. In the movie, "Independence Day," when the aliens smashed all the major cities in the world, the military was able to send Morse code to contact other military forces across the world to tell them how to knock out the enemy. In the movie "Frequency" Dennis Quaid was able to talk to his son through a time warp caused by massive sunspots. Normally, however, this is all the average person knows about Amateur Radio - - the odd reference here and there on the media.

So, what is Amateur Radio? There are many pat answers to that question. You can find them all over the place on the Internet just by punching the words Amateur Radio or Ham Radio into your favorite search engine. I would like to tell you my version of what Amateur Radio is.

It's an ATTITUDE
It's a LIFESYLE
It's a COMMITTMENT
It's PEOPLE

First, a little background. Back in the 70's and 80's my husband and I were "into" CB Radio. We used it to keep in touch with each other while my husband, Paul, was out on jobs doing construction work. We also had a wide range of CB Buddies. We also belonged to a couple of CB clubs. When the license requirement was removed for CB, things started to fall apart on the AM bands. Many of us decided to trade in our equipment and go to sideband. It was better for a while, and we were fairly content. In the early 90's, my job required me to work night turn for four years. I would work from 4:30 PM to anywhere from 11:30 AM to 7:30 AM, depending on what needed to be done or what problems arose on the job. I hated driving alone in the wee hours of the morning, so with the CB I was able to talk to my husband and know that there was help available if I needed it. The trouble with that was the "nasties" out there who knew when you were normally on the air. They would sit and wait for us to come on the air and then proceed to throw carriers (leaving the microphone button pushed down so no one else could transmit), or lock the mic button down and play music. Anything to keep us from talking to each other. Some of us got together and wrote to the FCC to try to get help, but they just said that they weren't policing the CB bands at this time. Don't get me wrong, most of the people we knew on the CB bands were nice people who just liked to talk to each other. The few trouble makers that were around made it miserable for all of us. Besides the blatant interference, there were also sexual inuendos and extremely foul language that we weren't happy about our kids hearing.

In the fall of 1997 my husband started talking about getting licensed for Ham radio. I didn't have any idea what it was all about. I had a picture in my head of old guys sitting beside huge tube-type radios, wearing headphones and keying Morse code. I had the impression that to be a Ham radio operator was a very expensive undertaking, and you had to pass very difficult exams to get your license. You always heard people on the CB bands cutting down Amateur Radio because it was so exclusive. There were always some Cbers who tried to sneak up onto the Ham bands just to see if they could get away with it. They pretty much always got caught - - and then they would badmouth Ham radio operators because they DID get caught. It was all rather stupid. They really didn't care if they could transmit on the illegal (for them) bands. It was just a challenge to try to get away with it.

So, Paul and I began to take classes to prepare for the Novice Amateur Radio license, which at that time included 5 wpm Morse code requirements. Paul did real well with the code, but I struggled with it. We talked our daughter, Toni, into taking the course as well, so we tried to help each other. Paul got his license first. I continued to struggle with the code. The Novice written exam wasn't bad. Quite a lot of it was common sense. We learned about RF safety, what frequencies we could transmit on, what constituted emergency communications, etc. It was really very interesting. We got that out of the way without much trouble….but I still put off taking the code test. I envied those who seemed to take to it naturally. Finally, Toni and I decided to try it. We both passed the exam, but it was close.

In October of 1997 we joined the newly formed Ellwood City Amateur Radio Assoc. At that time there were only a handful of members. I became Assistant Secretary, then later Secretary, as well as the Newsletter Editor and Webmaster for our web site. During the last four years, as a part of the ECARA, I've gotten to know other hams, from our own club as well as other area clubs. I've seen our club grow, and I've seen the problems involved in that growth. Most of all, I've come to understand what I feel Amateur Radio is.

IT'S AN ATTITUDE

When I first became an Amateur Radio operator, it was such a proud moment for me. I knew that I had accomplished something very special. I got a nice frame at the Dollar Store, and I put my newly acquired license into it and hung it on my wall. Then I sat there and stared at it. There, it was stated that the Federal Communications Commission had issued this license to me. What's more, I knew that I had earned it. The exams weren't extraordinarily difficult, but I did have to put in some work to pass. I displayed that license with pride, as well as each successive one I earned - - up to and including my Amateur Extra, which was, without a doubt, the most difficult one to achieve.

It doesn't matter which license class you have. I'm not one to look down on no-code Techs as so many "Old Timers" do. For myself, it was a personal challenge to learn and accomplish each higher level. Once you achieve your very first license, that pride of accomplishment will always be with you, for you have become a member of an exclusive group of people who strive for excellence and ever increasing knowledge in the field of communications. You operate on the airwaves under strict regulations set forth by the FCC, and you fiercely defend those privileges. Only you can decide how far you wish to go with it. Some never go further than Technician because all they want is to be able to communicate on 2 Meters. Others achieve General class, which opens up a wide range of frequencies on HF, and they are content to remain there. The choice is yours alone.

You find that no matter what license class you achieve, no matter what frequencies you spend the most time on, no matter what mode of operation you feel most comfortable with, the pride I spoke of in the preceding paragraphs carries over to how you handle yourself on the air. There is no bad language, everyone respects the rights of other operators, emergencies take precedence at all times, and no one interferes when someone else is talking. It's an unspoken code of conduct - - IT'S AN ATTITUDE.

IT'S A LIFE STYLE

Most new hams become members of Amateur Radio clubs in their areas. Some do not. That, also, is a choice you make. One of the important aspects of ham radio is emergency service. That can include many things. Some hams become very active in ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service), or SKYWARN (in conjunction with the National Weather Service), or NTS (which is the National Traffic Service which passes messages all over the world). There are so many areas to become involved in. When you do choose an area to work in, you will find that you are always on the alert. Every time you hear about a disaster happening in your area, every time you see the skies darken and hear a severe storm warning, your senses become alert and you find yourself on standby mode, waiting to be called to help out with communications if the need arises. Many of our ARES members participate in emergency drills throughout the year, as planned by the local Emergency Coordinator, in conjunction with groups such as C.A.E.S.A.R. (Canine Assisted Emergency Search and Rescue), our local hospital, etc. Events that are planned in advance, we can work our schedule around. Sometimes that is not possible, and events are thrust on us with little or no notice. No matter, there are always members available to handle the call. The first step is to call an emergency net on our repeater. Those who are monitoring will check in and let us know if they are available. We also call those on our list of members who are involved in emergency service to see if they can help out. So one way or another, we are always monitoring, and always on standby.

You might wish to become involved in local happenings such as parades, bike rides sponsored by charitable organizations, events such as the Pittsburgh Marathon or the local air show. Here again, there are numerous opportunities for service. In the months from Spring until Fall, there are always events that need help with communications. In our club, the ECARA, the summer months are hectic for us. We do test sessions at local hamfests, we sponsor a food booth at the local Arts and Crafts festival (which is our main fundraiser for the year), we look forward to helping out at the annual Special Olympics event. There are other opportunities such as the MS150 Bike Ride for Muscular Dystrophy, and the Tour D' Cure Bike Ride for Diabetes. Not all members of the club participate in all the events, but those who do plan their summer schedules around the events they wish to participate in.

You can be involved as little or as much as you want to be. You will find, though, once you give it a try, you get hooked. It's a special feeling being involved in an emergency situation. It's a great feeling of accomplishment to give your time for a special event. You will find yourself looking forward to it. You can have lots of fun joining in for events such as the Special Olympics. Those in our club who work this event look forward to it each year. They love seeing the kids doing the best they can in the events, and root for each of them. It's always a special event. You can feel you've really helped when you respond to an emergency situation. Being with people like yourself who care about others, who have the same interests and goals, becomes more and more an important part of your life style.

IT'S A COMMITMENT

I highly encourage those of you who are considering becoming an Amateur Radio operator to become a member of a club close to you. There are people there who will help you from the start to learn the ropes and get started properly. If you are interested in a certain mode of operation (and there are many!) find someone who is doing it already and ask them to show you how. This is called "ELMERING." The hams who would turn you down are few and far between. As you learn more and more, and become proficient in your area of choice, you, in turn, help others who are just starting out.

As part of the ECARA for the last four years, my commitment has been to do what I am best able to do. I'm not such a great teacher, but I love doing the club's web site. It's sometimes a chore keeping it updated as much as it should be, but I love the challenge. I also enjoy being the editor of our newsletter. I've seen it grow over the years to become something we all look forward to each month. It's hard some months to find articles that are new and interesting regarding ham radio, but once again, it's a challenge that I enjoy.

In a club, there are different kinds of people. There are those who just want to be part of the club but don't want to participate. There are those who participate a little. There are those who are so committed to making the club a success that they work tirelessly to make it happen. There is a need for each type of member, and they are all welcome, but the more members who are enthusiastic and dedicated there are, the more the club will prosper. There has to be a core group of those who refuse to give up. It can be frustrating, and it can be very rewarding. The more people there are who work together, the easier the load is for everyone. Each of us has a talent of some kind. No matter what that talent is, it can be used. If you become a member of a club near you, please try to give them some of your time and talent. I promise you it will be greatly appreciated.

Whatever you enjoy doing and sharing with other hams, it is your commitment to do it to the best of your ability. It is a commitment to come out to the club meetings, it is a commitment to volunteer a little of your time when help is needed. It is a commitment to share your knowledge with someone who is just starting out. No matter how much you are willing to do, it is a commitment. You'll find that there is always a need for whatever you have to offer.

IT'S PEOPLE

I recently did a survey for our newsletter about what our members liked the most about Amateur Radio and about being part of our club. The overwhelming majority answered that it was the people. I, too, have found that hams are the greatest people you can know. Whether you have a problem that is ham radio related or not, they are always willing to go the extra mile to help out. In emergency services, in communications help for civic events, in elmering, in being a part of a group of people with the same interests and goals, it all comes down to people helping other people. Our club is very family oriented. We don't grumble when someone brings their kids to a meeting. We plan a lot of social events throughout the year so our families can be involved. Everyone has a great time, and our kids become interested in Amateur Radio as a result. So no matter if it is helping others in an emergency situation or just being part of a club, it's all about people.

I could give you a list of all the advantages of ham radio. I could give you a list of all the interesting modes of operation you can get involved in. I hope, rather, that I have shown you a little bit of the reason ham radio has become such an important part of my life. I still have all the advantages of CB radio, such as talking to friends and having someone on hand when I'm traveling alone. The added advantage is being part of a time-honored tradition; to preserve what has been handed down to us, and to try to make it better. The added advantage is being part of, not just a group of people with like interests, but a part of a family of people who genuinely care about each other and others as well. A good example of this happened a couple of years ago with my little grandson. He was about three years old at the time, and got angry at his mom and I because we wouldn't let him do something that would be dangerous for him. He decided to go exploring instead. We live in a rural area, but there are still heavily traveled roads. It was only five minutes since we last checked on him, but in those five minutes he disappeared and we had no idea where he was. We searched everywhere with no luck. I put out a call on the radio to my husband who was helping a friend that day. Others in the club heard the call go out over the repeater and were ready to call out a search party. They all stood by to help us. Those tiny legs of his had carried him very rapidly up the road and across the neighborhood. Happily a neighbor found him and brought him home. The story had a happy ending, but we were so very grateful for all of the people who shared in our fear and were ready to help us. I know that if I ever need help all I have to do is put out a call and there will be people there ready to help me. That's a very good feeling.

If you are already an Amateur Radio operator, I am proud to be a part of this international brotherhood along with you. If you are thinking about becoming a ham, we welcome you, and offer you the hand of friendship and fellowship. You are about to become part of one of the greatest group of people around. That's what Amateur Radio is all about.