What's
not to love? There's challenges - testing for the license,
contests, and awards. There's fun - events, clubs, and friends
in all parts of the world. There's satisfaction -
communications for public events, emergency communications for
disasters and delivering a radiogram that says "Happy Mother's
Day." There's life-long learning - new equipment, new kinds of
radio transmissions, geography, and electronics. There's your
unique name - your amateur radio call sign. There's something
for everyone. Sherri Brower, W4STB Vero Beach,
FL
Amateur Radio is a never-ending journey,
because (as for true travellers in ancient times) its aim is
not the destination, but the journey itself. My experience has
been rewarding in many ways, mainly from a human point of
view. I have made friends that have become life-time friends.
We have searched and done things together. We have succeeded.
We have failed. We have always tried. By trying to improve
ourselves, we have shared opinions and knowledge with others.
I started more than 40 years ago, when I was 12, and still
feel the excitement as it were the first day. That's why I
love ham radio. Luigi Belvederi, I4AWX /
AB1FJ President of the Italian Amateur Radio
Society
Ham Radio is always there, even when
you don't think about it. For me, just knowing that 'when all
else fails' there is a form of communications that has
withstood the test of time. As I look around and watch old
ways of communications constantly being updated by newer, more
modern forms like digital communications, I can still get
excited about making a contact. What other hobby/public
service can you reach out across the world and know if you
were in need, the hams would always be there? It's like
landing in a foreign country, not knowing anyone, then
stepping off the plane and reaching out through ham radio, and
knowing that you would have a place to stay. That's the magic
of ham radio. Joyce Birmingham, KA2ANF
Amateur Radio is all about Magic! It's
magic to talk to a complete stranger on the other side of the
world while sitting in my car watching my son's football
practice. It's magic to watch the eyes of a child light up
when they talk to an astronaut on the International Space
Station. It's magic to see the relief in a mother's face
because the Amateur Radio operators providing communications
at the county fair found her lost child. It's magic to see the
excitement on the face of my son after getting his license and
making his first contact. And who said magic isn't real.
Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW Ardmore,
OK
"Had this been an actual emergency, you
would be instructed where to tune." This is something we have
heard a billion times, but as hams we know where to turn--the
frequencies reserved for us by treaty, so we can provide
community service. And the community is world-wide--tsunamis
in Thailand; hurricanes in America; mudslides in the
Phillipines, etc. But through it all, ham radio was there
helping and it made no difference if the operators were young
or old, able-bodied or impaired, black, white or blue--they
were there to help and that is why I love ham
radio. Jim McDonald, KB9LEI Muncie,
IN
Ham radio is a reflection of our world in
miniature. There are so many wide ranging interests, so many
fascinating people all with so much dedication and passion for
the service they love. And just think of it -- decades of
public service and friendships that extend across town across
the country and around the world. And you'll find every walk
of life and every generation in ham radio. It's fascinating
and challenging and rewarding! It's unique! So say "Hello",
get on the air and see for yourself! Mary M.
Hobart, K1MMH Newington, CT
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