Amateur Radio is a lot of things. It is almost as diverse as the weather. It is by definition a governmentally licensed group of volunteers with technical and communications skills, designated to help provide communications in time of emergency or disaster.
From the very early days pioneers like Marconi, who is considered the inventor of wireless communications, have attempted to communicate long distances via radio. Even today amateurs world wide pursue the activity of communicating with other amateurs over great distances and call it Dx'ing. The purpose is to advance their skills in reliable long distance communications. It is perhaps for most amateurs one of the most exciting activities to pursue.
Amateurs have at their option determined by their class of license many different frequency bands to operate. These frequency allocations allow amateurs to optimize their communications to match the desired effect whether it be local or world wide in scope. Depending on frequency used amateurs may also use many different modes of transmission. These are not limited to the original digital mode (CW) or even to voice but, include television and the most advanced digital error correcting modes available today.
There is a great deal of history and heritage in Amateur Radio. Amateurs pioneered radio broadcasting, television and more recently packet TCP/IP communications via radio. Not to be forgotten are amateur space communications which through satellites, orbiting laboratories and shuttles allow people from all countries and walks of life to participate in the achievements of space travel and research.
Amateur Radio is assured a place within the future because of it's links to the past. Its growth continues world wide providing many people with the opportunity to learn communications technology and gain knowledge of people and places they may never travel.