What is "Amateur Radio?"
 
    An Amateur Radio operator is a "person holding a valid license to operate an Amateur Radio station."  In the United States, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) issues these licenses.  An Amateur Radio operator performs communications in the Amateur Radio Service.

    There are five main classifications, or levels of amateur license.  They vary in degree of knowledge required and frequency privileges granted.  The higher the license classification the greater the privileges granted to the operator.  The first step is the Novice Class license.  A novice operator is granted privileges on a portion of six amateur bands and must pass morse code at  5 words per minute.  In addition to the "Novice Class" there are four additional license classes.  These include the Technician Class, General Class, Advance Class, and Extra Class license.  The "Extra Class" is the highest Amateur Radio license classification and is granted frequency/emission privileges in all amateur bands and modes.

    KC6UFO is my Amateur Radio "call sign."  I have been a Amateur Radio operator for 6 years obtaining my "Extra Class" license in 1992.  My wife Linda, KD6KUT, son Jon, AC6OR, are also Amateur radio operators.  Additional information on Amateur radio maybe found in the ARRL web page site at http://www.arrl.org/index.phtml.  A cool site for checking out your favorite Amateur operator, or finding out who's who in Amateur radio is http://www.qrz.com/.  Information from the FCC on how to become an Amateur Radio Operator can be found at http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/amateur/ .  73's.