From Chattanooga Times-Free Press 03/31/02:

In the glow of radio Ham radio continues to attract hobbyists

By Kevin Lusk

Staff Writer

Even as America's fascination with Internet communication grows, amateur radio continues to hold its own as a hobby.

More than 650,000 ham radio operators keep the tradition alive across the United States, said Jennifer Hagy, media relations manager for the National Association for Amateur Radio.

"A major misconception is (that) since the advent of the Internet, ham is falling to the wayside," Ms. Hagy said. "There has been a recent dip, but numbers have been going up in small increments over the last year."

Amateur radio enthusiasts come from virtually every age bracket and from every profession, she said.

Throughout the year, ham radio operators help coordinate communications for marathons, bike races and parades. Others show local students how they can make new friends in faraway places or help them discover an interest in a future technical career.

For most amateur radio operators, it's talking to other enthusiasts across town or the other side of the world that keeps them coming back for more.

"Everybody is a little different in their interests," said Chris Palmgren, 28, who is also known as "W4ORS," his ham call sign. "I primarily like to talk to the local folks and Eastern states."

Amateur radio is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission under the Communications Act of 1934. It also is subject to numerous international agreements.

All amateur radio operators must be licensed. In the United States, there are three license classes. The higher the class, the more frequencies are available. Earning each higher class license requires passing a more difficult examination, Mr. Palmgren said.

The technician class license is the entry-level license of choice for most new ham radio operators because it doesn't require a Morse code test, Ms. Hagy said. It requires passing an examination of 35 questions on radio theory, regulations and operating policies. The license gives access to all amateur radio frequencies over 30 megahertz, allowing the ability to communicate locally and most often within North America.

A general class license allows operating privileges on all amateur radio bands. This license opens the door to worldwide communications. In addition to passing the 35-question examination, a person must also pass the 5-word-per-minute Morse code test.

The amateur extra class license conveys all available U.S. amateur radio privileges on all bands and modes. It includes a 50-question test. U.S. licenses are good for 10 years before renewal.

Even though it was once required for all ham radio users, Morse code is no longer a necessity in basic amateur radio.

"English is almost the universal language in amateur radio," said Brandon Hersh, of Chatsworth, Ga. But proficiency in Morse code is required for the higher level operator licenses, and many hams prefer it because it's efficient.

"Even though it's the 21st century, telegraphy still plays an important role in ham radio," Mr. Hersh, 56, said. "Voice takes great bandwidth and takes more time to transmit."

Many hams also like using old equipment.

"I just bought new equipment that's 40 years old," said Mr. Hersh, who enjoys the bulky, old-fashioned tube-power radios hams call "boat anchors," in reference to their size and weight. "There's a ham saying: 'Real radios glow in the dark.' I agree with that."

However the do-it-yourself-radio-kit days are over, and enthusiasts rely on used equipment sales, called "hamfests," to keep them in parts. It's hard for anyone but experts to build their own radios these days, enthusiats said.

Today's amateur radio hobby runs the gamut of technology, from small, low-powered sets up through the intricate digital communication of computers.

"Radio equipment has become very sophisticated," Mr. Palmgren said.

Though hams have a lot of fun with their radios, their expertise is often put to more serious uses. Ham radio operators, working with alternative power sources, often assist authorities during emergencies when electrical and phone lines are out of commission.

The American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the National Weather Service are some agencies that work regularly with ham networks. Hams have provided services during tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, at airplane and auto accidents, said Neal Pascal, chief meteorologist for WTVC-TV 9.

"If we see a vector on radar that looks like a tornado, we still need an eye witness to confirm," Mr. Pascal said. "There is never a substitute for eye witness reporting."

When Mr. Pascal started in Chattanooga 21 years ago, he relied on ham radio operators every time severe weather hit the Tennessee Valley. The closest radars were in Nashville and Birmingham, Ala. Now there are radars set up in Chattanooga.

"They still play a vital role," Mr. Pascal said. "We certainly don't want to consider them dinosaurs."

But with today's super-fast, high-power and increasingly cost-efficient gadgets for communicating, why do hams remain so passionate about radios?

"It's using different types of radio propagation, different types of equipment and different modes of communication," said Kenny Young, a Chattanooga ham radio operator. "Hams are technically oriented people. They like computers, and many have their own Web sites."

The challenge is attracting young people to the hobby, said Charlie Curle, 70, who has had his license since 1951. Using the Internet for promotion has been key in attracting a younger audience.

"By the time you are 16, the only thing you are thinking about is the smell of gasoline and the taste of lipstick," Mr. Curle said. "You've got to get to them at an early age."

E-mail Kevin Lusk at klusk@timesfreepress.com

For your information

The Chattanooga Amateur Radio Club meets the first Friday of every month at the American Red Cross building, 801 McCallie Ave. The business meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. with testing for licenses starting at 6 p.m. For more information, e-mail w4am@qsl.net