At first glance, amateur radio seems like a “mysterious” hobby filled with antennas, radios, and strange call signs—but in reality, it’s an incredibly exciting mix of technology, communication, experimentation, and a global community.
Amateur radio is radio communication carried out by private individuals who hold a license and operate on specially assigned frequencies. It should not be confused with CB radio or walkie-talkies.
As a licensed amateur radio operator, you are allowed to:
- communicate with people all over the world
- develop, build, and modify your own radio equipment
- communicate via satellites, moonbounce, the ISS, or simply through shortwave
- experiment with antennas, digital modes, or emergency communications
Important: Amateur radio is non-commercial—it’s about technology, learning, experimenting, community, and sometimes providing help during emergencies or disasters.
Do people just say “Hello, how are you?” on the air?
Of course, casual conversations happen—but amateur radio offers far more than simple small talk:
- local chats through a repeater with people in your city or region
- DX contacts: communicating with stations on other continents via shortwave
- operating in special modes: voice (FM, SSB), Morse code (CW), digital modes (VarAC, FT8, PSK, RTTY), image transmission (SSTV), and much more
Each mode feels like its own “world”—some enjoy calm Morse code QSOs, others chase exotic countries on HF, and others experiment with digital signals.
Some of the most fascinating possibilities...
1. Shortwave – Communicating worldwide with low power
On the shortwave bands (e.g. 80 m, 40 m, 20 m, 10 m), radio waves are reflected by the Earth’s ionosphere. This allows communication over hundreds or even thousands of kilometers—often with surprisingly simple antennas.
Examples:
- Making contacts with Japan, the U.S., or South America using just 50 watts and a wire in the backyard
- Participating in contests: contacting as many countries or stations as possible in a short time
- Special activities like “Islands on the Air,” “Summits on the Air,” or “Parks on the Air”
It often feels a bit like fishing: you “cast” your signal—and wait to see who responds.
2. Morse Code (CW) – the original form of radio, still highly relevant
Morse code may seem old-fashioned, but it is extremely efficient:
- it works with very weak signals
- it often outperforms voice communication when conditions are poor
- you only need a small radio and a key
Many hams swear by CW because it feels like a very direct form of communication—you literally hear the other operator as patterns of tones.
3. Communicating via satellites
There are several amateur radio satellites built specifically for ham operators.
Through these “flying repeaters,” you can:
- talk to a station in another country that is also under the satellite’s footprint
- calculate orbital paths, aim antennas, and plan pass times
- experience how a satellite sweeps across the sky, giving you only a short window of a few minutes
It combines radio, astronomy, orbital mechanics, and hands-on technical work into one experiment.
4. Listening to the ISS—and sometimes talking to it
The International Space Station has amateur radio equipment on board.
Exciting possibilities include:
- listening to the ISS beacon or voice transmissions
- ARISS school contacts: sometimes students can speak directly with an astronaut—a huge experience
- receiving SSTV images when the ISS transmits pictures (Slow Scan TV)
It’s a special feeling to receive a signal from space on your own antenna.
5. EME – “Earth-Moon-Earth”: signals reflected off the moon
This is one of the most advanced forms of amateur radio.
In EME operation, you transmit your signal to the moon; a tiny fraction is reflected and returns to Earth—extremely weak, but detectable.
What you need:
- high-gain antennas (often large Yagis or parabolic dishes)
- very sensitive receivers and often digital decoding methods
- patience and technical know-how
When it works, it feels a bit like contacting another world—even though it’s “just” our moon.
6. Emergency and disaster communications
When power and the internet fail, one thing still works reliably: radio.
Amateur radio can:
- support communication for emergency services
- relay messages between affected areas and coordination centers
- serve as a backup when all other systems have failed
Many hams train regularly through emergency drills and blackout simulations.
This gives the hobby a meaningful social purpose as well.
7. Technology, tinkering, and learning
Amateur radio is also a huge playground for tech enthusiasts:
- building your own antennas—from a simple wire to a satellite dish
- developing your own equipment: QRP radios, filters, preamps, controllers
- using Software Defined Radio (SDR): making the radio spectrum visible on your computer
- digital experiments: APRS, digital voice modes, telemetry, high-altitude balloon projects, and more
You learn tons about electronics, RF engineering, propagation, programming, and measurement techniques—just by playing around.
Community and culture: more than just technology
Amateur radio is not just “turning knobs”:
- local clubs: meeting, sharing knowledge, building together
- field days: camping outdoors with antennas and radios
- contests and awards: who has worked the most countries, islands, mountains, lighthouses?
- call sign culture: every country has its own prefixes; each call sign belongs to a specific person or club
Many operators form friendships that last decades—often with people they’ve never met in person.
How do you become a ham?
In short:
- Study—the basics of electronics, operating procedures, and regulations (there are courses, books, and free online resources).
- Take the exam—administered by your national telecommunications authority.
- Receive your call sign—your personal radio “name badge.”
- Get on the air—get a radio, build an antenna, make your first contacts.
The great thing: you don’t need to be an engineer. Many start with no prior knowledge—the learning happens naturally as you go.
Why is amateur radio still exciting today?
In a world full of internet, smartphones, and streaming, radio may seem old-fashioned—but it isn’t:
- you learn physics and engineering in a very hands-on way
- you are independent of the internet—your connection travels directly over radio waves
- you can do things impossible with everyday devices:
- bounce your signal off the moon
- communicate with the ISS
- help operate a satellite
- stay in contact during power outages
And all of this with a worldwide community that shares the same passion.
