Amateur Radio,also known as a HAM Radio is a unique hobby of operating Amateur Wireless Station (Wireless Transmitting and Receivng Apparatus) for communicating with other fellow HAMs anywhere in the world irrespective of Time, Language and Religion. Indulgence in this hobby cuts across the barriers of Caste,Colour, Creed and Country. Since HAMs communicate to each other without foreknowledge or interest in the origins or idelogies of the parties to the communication. Once you become a HAM you are immediately accepted as a member of the global community of HAMs. Amateur Radio is the spare time hobby without pecuniary interest. It is pursued for the pleasure to be derived from an interest in radio technique, and for the ensuing friendships with like minded persons, throughout the world. It is the most personal, most international and most technical of all hobbies. It is not therefore surprising that this hobby has attracted millions of persons from all walks of life.There are HAMs among Kings, Farmers, Students, Generals, Administrators, Politicians, Lawyers, Industrialist, Cine personalities, Doctors and Housewives too.
A Popular acronym for HAM is "Help All Man kind". HAM Radio has been recognised as a Second line of communication. Such as Natural Calamities, Floods, Earthquakes etc . disrupt tele - communication systems and also cause unlimited misery in the form of deaths and injury to people. On such occassions HAMs help to restore normalcy by organising communication network, helping government agencies. There are numerous occasions in which HAMs have come to the rescue in our country. The Latur Earthquake, the Orissa Cyclones and the Gujarat Earthquake are a few instances. With a number of doctors in the Hamdom, hard-to-get drugs in our country have come through HAM contacts from other countries in time of medical emergency and saved many lives. However, HAMs also have limitations in the use of radio communication. They are prohibited from passing thrid party messages or use it for promotion of business etc. Also it cannot be use for Politics or Religion.