What is HAM RADIO?
What is a REPEATER?
What is APRS?
What is a NET?
Why do I have to be licensed?
How do I get licensed?
How much does it cost?
Where do I take the test?
Do I have to be licensed to join SANDRA?
I'm licensed, live in another state, but frequently spend time in the San Diego area. May I join SANDRA?
How do I join?
How does SANDRA support public safety?
I want to support your organization with a donation--how do I send a donation?

What is HAM RADIO?
The Amateur Radio Service (a.k.a. "ham radio") is defined in Part 97 of the Rules of the Federal Communications Commission as an assembly of Federally licensed radio operators who may voluntarily serve as an alternate means of communication in times of disaster. In non-emergency situations, licensed amateur radio operators can use their equipment to perform experiments, hone skills, or simply chat with other hams from all over the world. So, it's a hobby with a purpose.
Some people have no idea what ham radio is. It is not "CB;" it is not commercial broadcast (no news or music). Those who are familiar with ham radio usually picture a house full of electronics, antennas to the sky, and some operator "rag chewing" with some distant ("DX") station. While that is part of the story, ham radio also offers many other modes of operation, Morse code, satellite, television, and even data (i.e., using a modem with radio instead of a phone line).

What is a REPEATER?
A repeater is a term for a device often used in amateur radio as well as commercial and emergency radio communications. It consists of typically a transmitter and receiver, a controller (the "brains", which sees if someone's talking and fires up the repeater access, plus often more) and a duplexer so you can use one antenna for simultaneous transmit and receive operations.  A repeater receives signals and rebroadcasts them on a different frequency. A repeater is used for increasing the distance that stations can communicate.   Say you want to chat with a friend on another side of a hill. Your radio transmissions can't make it to the other side of the hill and vice-versa. So what to do? Why not put a repeater on top of the hill? Both of you can now talk to each other, and often many other hams still further away (depending on the height of the hill upon which the repeater sits).

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What is APRS?
APRS: Automatic Position Report System. To learn more about this, please see our APRS Primer for available links.

What is a NET?
When a "Net" officially begins, the Net Control Operator will give a "preamble" which describes the net and how it functions. As you listen to the Net progress, you'll hear stations all over San Diego as well as other parts of Southern California check-in. Sometimes you'll hear them say they're "mobile." Some of them are out camping. Some of them are just at home in their shack. Listen for very long, and you'll start to feel like you've got some old friends all over Southern California.

Why do I have to be licensed?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires anyone operating on the amateur radio frequencies to be properly licensed.

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How do I get licensed?
See our page on general licensing information and visit:  http://www.arrl.org/hamradio.html

How much does it cost?
Testing is $5.00 to defray expenses. For more details, see the Testing Locations page.

Where do I take the test?
Please visit our list of Testing Locations. There is also a downloadable list available on that page.

Do I have to be licensed to join SANDRA?
Technically, no. The San Diego Repeater Association is open to anyone. However, an Amateur Radio License issued by the Federal Communications Commission is required prior to accessing any of the SANDRA radio systems. Membership alone does not grant access to the radio equipment.

I'm licensed, live in another state, but frequently spend time in the San Diego area. May I join SANDRA?
Yes. Please see our Join page.

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How do I join?
Membership applications are processed online and through the mail. You may either submit your information through an online form or download a printable form through our Join page. Please view our Operating Procedures and Terms of Service before submitting your application.

How does SANDRA support public safety?
For details, please visit this page: Public Safety.

I want to support your organization with a donation--how do I send a donation?
SANDRA accepts donations through the US mail and PayPal. If you wish to make a donation, please see our Support Us page.

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