By Alan Gilchrist ZL4PZ
Preface
The original version of this saga was committed to a printed only option. However, with involvement in Internet and some HTML programming for a personal Home Pages, I decided to use the same protocol for this also making it more versatile and interesting with links back and forward.
The idea of putting together some of my thoughts and experiences over the 20 years or more of involvement with amateur radio seems both a good idea and a pointless exercise. My reason for saying this is that on the positive side it provides some sort of record of what this interesting hobby has done for me and on the negative side it will no doubt be boring for someone whose interest is not remotely related to things connected by wires or built of electronic components. Some individuals see wire antennas and beams as things of beauty while others see these as items polluting the visual skyline - to each their own.
The Radio Regulations used to say words to the effect that "the licence permits the use of radio apparatus to conduct Radio-communications for the purpose of self training, intercommunication and technical investigation other than for pecuniary interest". In other words you cannot use amateur radio in a profit making way.
For the uninitiated let me first explain, in not too complicated terms, what amateur radio really is. Amateur radio is a hobby which really has something for everyone. There is the ability to talk to others with like interests, the ability to build your own transmitting and receiving equipment, you can build test equipment, participate in a large variety of amateur activities or really anything else that takes your fancy in the radio world.
Basically it is a hobby where people can talk to each other over radio equipment either made commercially or home built. Communication can be either local over a few kilometres or over thousands of kilometres to foreign countries.
Another thing about amateur radio is that primarily amateurs are known by their callsign, secondly by their Christian or 'radio' name, and seldom by their surname. Amateurs come from all walks of life and it matters not whether you are a doctor, lawyer, chemist, police officer, builder, housewife, on the unemployment benefit or still at school. All are treated equal and on first name basis, even with ministers of religion. People who are confined to wheelchairs, who are sight impaired or otherwise disadvantaged often find amateur radio an ideal hobby and way to meet people.
Amateur radio is foremost a hobby but also can be a service to the community in times of emergency. Radio Communications is provided by amateurs for Search & Rescue operations by way of A.R.E.C. (Amateur Radio Emergency Communications), originally R.E.C. (Radio Emergency Corps) as it was known in early years after it was formed in 1931 after the Napier Earthquake. Since that time amateurs have provided valuable service in providing a means of communication for those involved in searches and rescues, and are highly thought of by the Police and other organisations.
This brings me to the legalities of amateur radio operation. A section on this will also be included, but suffice to say you do have to have a licence and you do have to sit a technical examination to gain this. Nothing worth having comes easily and you do have to do a certain amount of study if you want to aspire to become an amateur radio operator. Amateur radio is sometimes also known as 'Ham Radio'.
