I've been a licensed Amateur Radio Operator for over 15 years. The Amateur (or Ham) radio hobby offers many different things for people of varying ages and interests. You can get involved with:

• meeting new people from around the world
• keeping in touch with friends and family
• interfacing with computers and writing software
• building antennas
• digital communications
• building transceivers
• public service communications
• emergency communications
• backpacking

If you are interested in one or more of the above, ham radio may be a good hobby for you.

Getting a license is easy. You learn:

• basic electronics
• communication protocols (such as how to identify yourself)
• how radio waves work
• different aspects of the hobby (satellite communications, public service)

You take a multiple choice test and then you get your license from the FCC in a few weeks. There is no minimum age to become a ham radio operator (many get their first license before age 10). It's a fun extracurricular activity that promotes thinking, reading, and mental activity.

Check out the American Radio Relay League for more information.