Amateur Radio Hobbies

"Because it uses an international natural resource--the radio spectrum--Amateur Radio must organize nationally and internationally for better mutual use of the radio spectrum among radio amateurs throughout the world, to develop Amateur Radio worldwide, and to successfully interact with the agencies responsible for regulating and allocating radio frequencies. The American Radio Relay League is an example of this organization on a national scale. At the international level, national societies throughout the world work together for the international good of Amateur Radio under the auspices of a representative democracy, the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).

Created in Paris, France, the International Amateur Radio Union has been the watchdog and spokesman for the world Amateur Radio community since 1925. The IARU Constitution, last amended in 1989, organizes the Union into three Regional Organizations that correspond to the three radio regions of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The IARU Constitution also provides for an IARU Member Society to serve as the Union's International Secretariat... more about IARU

"ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technology issues, and the global focal point for governments and the private sector in developing networks and services. For nearly 145 years, ITU has coordinated the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoted international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, worked to improve telecommunication infrastructure in the developing world, established the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems and addressed the global challenges of our times, such as mitigating climate change and strengthening cybersecurity.

ITU also organizes worldwide and regional exhibitions and forums, such as ITU TELECOM WORLD, bringing together the most influential representatives of government and the telecommunications and ICT industry to exchange ideas, knowledge and technology for the benefit of the global community, and in particular the developing world.

From broadband Internet to latest-generation wireless technologies, from aeronautical and maritime navigation to radio astronomy and satellite-based meteorology, from convergence in fixed-mobile phone, Internet access, data, voice and TV broadcasting to next-generation networks, ITU is committed to connecting the world.

ITU is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and its membership includes 191 Member States and more than 700 Sector Members and Associates." ... more

"ARRL is the national membership association for Amateur Radio operators.

The seed for Amateur Radio was planted in the 1890s, when Guglielmo Marconi began his experiments in wireless telegraphy. Soon he was joined by dozens, then hundreds, of others who were enthusiastic about sending and receiving messages through the air--some with a commercial interest, but others solely out of a love for this new communications medium. The United States government began licensing Amateur Radio operators in 1912.

By 1914, there were thousands of Amateur Radio operators--hams--in the United States. Hiram Percy Maxim, a leading Hartford, Connecticut, inventor and industrialist saw the need for an organization to band together this fledgling group of radio experimenters. In May 1914 he founded the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) to meet that need.

Today ARRL, with approximately 157,000 members, is the largest organization of radio amateurs in the United States..." more

"The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (as AMSAT is officially known) was first formed in the District of Columbia in 1969 as an educational organization. Its goal was to foster Amateur Radio's participation in space research and communication. AMSAT was founded to continue the efforts, begun in 1961, by Project OSCAR, a west coast USA-based group which built and launched the very first Amateur Radio satellite, OSCAR, on December 12, 1961, barely four years after the launch of Russia's first Sputnik.

Today, the "home-brew" flavor of these early Amateur Radio satellites lives on, as most of the hardware and software now flying on even the most advanced AMSAT satellites is still largely the product of volunteer effort and donated resources. Though we are fond of traditions our designs and technology continue to push the outside of the envelope.

For over 41 years AMSAT groups in North America and elsewhere have played a key role in significantly advancing the state of the art in space science, space education, and space technology. Undoubtedly, the work now being done by AMSAT volunteers throughout the world will continue to have far-reaching, positive effects on the very future of both Amateur Radio, as well as other governmental, scientific and commercial activities in the final frontier. Rarely have a group of "amateur" volunteers managed to do so much...for so many...with so little." more

Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers

"The Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA) is an international society of dedicated enthusiasts who teach, learn, trade technical information, and do their own observations of the radio sky. This organization is a scientific, non-profit group founded for the sole purpose of supporting amateur radio astronomy. SARA was organized in 1981, and today has hundreds of members worldwide. The group consists of optical astronomers, ham radio operators, engineers, teachers and non-technical persons. Many of our members are new to the field, and membership is extended to all who have an interest in radio astronomy." ... more

Amateur SETI: Project BAMBI

A number of efforts are underway in the Search for ExtraterrestrialIntelligence (SETI). We have been deeply interested in the search for some time, and have concluded that amateurs can in fact construct affordable systems with sensitivities comparable to professional all-sky search strategies even with antennas of limited aperture. We have also concluded that we can achieve a reasonably respectable frequency coverage of a search spectrum as well. We hope this project will encourage other amateurs to join in the search. Project BAMBI is divided into two phases:

Phase I: Standard Amateur Radio Astronomy:
We have initially operated BAMBI as a total power receiver for several crucial reasons. Most importantly, it has been a lot of fun. Many of you must have experienced this same indescribable, goose-bump raising feeling, when you realize you are actually detecting radio emissions from a source almost a billion light years away (e.g. Cygnus A). Also, we confirmed that the front end of the system actually worked, and calibrated our pointing accuracy. We are now looking for the lower limit of our sensitivity, which will allow us to better estimate our actual system temperature for purposes of Phase II.

Phase II: Narrow Band SETI:
You will notice that BAMBI has a number of features that, while not required or even necessarily optimal for a total power receiver, are essential for SETI. The incorporation of a 25 degree K LNB front end, and an inexpensive spectrum analyzer in the IF pathway make the telescope "SETI-Capable". In Phase II, the spectrum analyzer will be used as a PC-controlled tuner, funneling a "block" of frequencies to BAMBI's analog-to-digital converter. An FFT will then be performed to break the block up into narrow channels on the order of 0.8 Hz each, and the results will be passed on to detection software to log possible "hits". The smaller aperture antenna actually enjoys a benefit for SETI use; the wider beam width means that sources will stay in the beam longer allowing a wider spectrum to be examined. When promising "hits" occur, one of the ways we can help distinguish them from terrestrial noise is by repeatedly scanning for the frequency drift expected due to the doppler shift caused by the earth's rotation and possibly that of the source... more

FISTS General Upgrade Project:
A love of Morse code and a concern for its perpetuation

"Tens of thousands of Novice, Techs and Tech+’s now have privileges in the CW bands because of the licensing restructuring. We want to encourage these hams to use their privileges and upgrade. Chuck Adams, K7QO, put the General Exam written question pool on CD in Morse code, starting out slowly and working up to about 20 wpm. It’s not a beginner CD because it doesn’t have the letter repetition, but it is excellent practice for those who know the code and want to upgrade their skills, and a good refresher for those who have been licensed a while. You may be surprised how much of the question pool topics you had forgotten about when you listen to it! To obtain your copy of this disks (mp3 files - must have mp3 disk player or computer), send $1 per disk to cover the postage and envelope and include a label with your address, if possible, to FISTS PO Box 47, Hadley MI 48440..." more

"Organized in 1939, YLRL (Young Ladies' Radio League) is a nonprofit organization of women Amateur Radio Licensees. With a membership of approximately 800, it is international in scope with about 100 of those members who are DX YLs.

"YLRL Encourages
YLRL exists to encourage and assist YLs (Young Ladies) throughout the world to enter into the Amateur Radio Service. There are a variety of interests to offer licensed YLs from traffic handling, public service, contests, Awards, etc.,

Of course, there are the infinite benefits derived from just plain gal-to-gal ragchewing or eyeball QSOs at YL conventions and the resulting friendships. You are always welcome in any YLRL activity. Come on in - the YLs are anxious to meet you!

YLRL Provides
YLRL provides a bimonthly newsletter, YL Harmonics to their members which highlight news about YLs in the US and DXYLs as well as news that may be of interest to both.

YLRL provides 2 scholarship to worthy YLs to continue their educations, with preference given to those in the academic study of communications and electronics or related arts and sciences.

YLRL also offers a program of specialized service to blind YLs through the Tape Topics program. YL Harmonics is sent to the visually impaired members upon request. For more information, contact the Tape Topic Librarians ..." more

"TAPR is a community that provides leadership and resources to radio amateurs for the purpose of advancing the radio art.

Interested in:

• general packet radio information?
• high-speed packet operations?
• other types of digital communications?
• experimenting or building kits?
• keeping up-to-date on national digital and packet issues?

Then you might be interested in TAPR!

The goals of TAPR are to 1) support R&D efforts in the area of amateur digital communications, 2) disseminate information on packet and digital communications, 3) provide affordable and useful kits for experimenters and hobbyists, 4) pursue and help advance the amateur art of communications, and 5) support publications, meetings, and standards in the area of amateur digital communications..." more

The Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society (ARLHS) sponsors many categories of operating achievement awards for the lighthouse/lightship enthusiast in the Amateur Radio community. Lighthouse awards chasing is a good way to learn about the geography, history, or culture of lighthouses and lightships and places near and far.

This Awards Program booklet provides a brief summary of what the ARLHS has to offer. The general rules and requirements specific to an individual award are included with the description of each individual award. Each award is administered by a volunteer manager who provides applicants with the award rules, application forms, certification of applicant's submission, and issuance of appropriate award or endorsement. All ARLHS awards except the Activator Award are available to SWL's on a "heard basis." Note that although the term "lighthouse" is used most frequently throughout, for award purposes, we include lightships in this category. For the ARLHS official list of lights and their ARLHS numbers, please see the official "ARLHS World List of Light... more

"HamSphere! is a virtual Ham Radio Transceiver that works in Windows, Linux or Mac or any other Java driven system. HamSphere can be used by both licensed (Ham Radio) and unlicensed radio enthusiasts.

You are able to communicate with thousands of Amateur Radio operators and radio enthusiasts from over 160 countries around the world. No extra hardware needed, just your PC, a microphone, speakers and your are ready to call CQ on all bands.

Transmitter virtual output is adjustable between 10 watts and 2.5 kilowatts. HamSphere covers 11 virtual Ham Bands between 160m and 6m. The system does not emit any RF and it is 100% safe to operate in any country. You can also use the built in 48m Broadcast band to create your own shortwave radio station. " ... more

"The purpose of hamsdr.com is to enable amateur radio operators and others with an interest in Software Defined Radio (SDR) to share related ideas and information.

Although some of the functionality of this site is available to non-members, much of it is offered only to members. Membership is completely free, and you may register yourself for immediate access. Your membership information is treated respectfully as confidential data, and will never be forwarded to anyone for any purpose.

hamsdr.com has no official association with FlexRadio Systems, although as a pioneering leader in Software Defined Radio, FlexRadio products are referenced frequently throughout this website. Any related graphics are used with the expressed written consent of FlexRadio Systems." ... more

International Radio DX Group - 11 meter section

"You are free to enter this site, this site has no commercial meaning at all. All is free for use. IR-DX Group members are free to register for using the special community and private area, too. At least we hope you enjoy your visit on this website, we do appreciate if you would sign our guestbook.

The International Radio DX-Group 11m Section is a family oriented, liberal group of radio operators. We are open for all serious DXers and respect all others. Our hobby is DXing and our passion is finding friends around the world. We want to be a modern, non profit group with visions for the future. We just have a few guidelines to run the community."

What is ...11 meter?

"The CB-Band (Citizens Band) also called 'Free band' span the frequency spectrum from 26MHz and strait up to 28MHz. On these frequencies Radio operators from around the world make contact and friendship. These frequencies is on the top of the shortwave band (goes up to 30MHz) This makes it very interesting due to a number of natural phenomena known as 'skip-conditions' or just 'skip' - Reflecting Layers in the stratosphere,- Aurora a.s.o. - operators on 11-Meter band uses these phenomena to make long-distance radio contacts,-usually not possible in normal conditions. Skip conditions was first discovered in the late 50th. From the early 70ths and later, CB-DX has developed into an wide known hobby, the number of stations on the band is huge! - Almost any country or territory on the globe can be heard on the band." ... more

QRZ was founded in 1992 by Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ as a spinoff of what was once called the "Callsign Project", a cooperative effort designed to obtain and distribute FCC database tapes. The "Callsign Project" was born on the internet newsgroup rec.ham-radio (later rec.radio.amateur.misc), and it's initial sponsor was Rusty, Carruth, N7IKQ, who eventually turned it over to Fred when he became unable to continue the effort.

The "project" part of the callsign project consisted of obtaining the FCC data tapes and then making copies of it for distribution to other interested parties. Fred's first experience with the callsign project was largely uneventful since the total distribution consisted only of about 40 copies. At the time, each person requesting a copy of the database would send the Fred a blank tape along with $20 in an SASE. The $20 was to help to recover the cost of obtaining the data from the FCC, which at the time cost over $700 for the two large 9-track (12-inch) mainframe tape reels.

Soon, six months had gone by and again it became necessary to obtain a fresh set of FCC tapes. Tired of spending his spare time making tape copies, Fred began to wonder about CDROM - a new but emerging universal format. It didn't really seem possible since the cost of mastering a CDROM (about $2500) was prohibitive given the small number of potential internet customers from past experience." ... more

"The Booster Vision wireless on-board video camera system with video receiver is a lightweight system that can mount on r/c cars, r/c airplanes, helicopters, robots, balloons, and even small to large size rockets!

You get the Booster Vision cam with built in transmitter and receiver pack.

BoosterVision also has just released the GearCam DVR digital camcorder that hitchhikes on r/c cars, r/c airplanes, helicopters, robots, balloons, and even small to large size rockets!" ... more

"The American QRP Club was formed in June 2003, and later incorporated, as a organization of ham radio operating enthusiasts interested in low power operation - these types of hams are called QRPers. The AmQRP Club is not affiliated with any geographic area and its membership does not meet monthly as do many regional radio clubs. Instead, the AmQRP provides online information, instruction, goods and services to the general QRP population for educational and enjoyment purposes." more

"DDS-60 Daughtercard Kit

The self-contained DDS-60 functional module generates a good-quality RF signal from 1-60 MHz using a small 1"x2" pc board with the DDS essential circuits – an Analog Devices AD9851 DDS chip (sold separately), a clock oscillator, a 5th-order elliptic filter and an adjustable-level RF amplifier. Additionally, an onboard 5V regulator is provided so you need only provide a battery or power supply ranging from 8-12V DC. The three digital control lines, the power supply, and the output signal are all available on a pin header at the board edge. The DDS-60 is even pin-compatible with the original DDS Daughtercard; only a few simple changes are needed in the software projects controlling the DDS-60..." more informations

"Wanting to get your Golden Ticket to Amateur Radio No longer do United States Citizens need to learn the Morse Code to pass any of the Amateur Radio License Tests for their Amateur Radio License. You can study to get your entry level Amateur Radio License, the Technician Class License. With your Technician Class License you can begin talking with other Ham Radio Operators in your town and help with working your Ham Radio Club's special events. Click over to How to get your Amateur Radio Operator's License to find many resources to aid you in studying for your ticket to this great radio service. In just a few days if not weeks you too can begin making friends from all over the world via Amateur Radio, or maybe just in your local area chatting with new friends on the 2 meter repeaters.

What is Amateur Radio? The FCC's definition is: "A radio communication service for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by amateurs, that is, duly authorized persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest." However, ask any "Ham" out there and you might get as many different answers. Unlike CB Radio, who can only communicate on 40 channels of a small portion of the 27 MHz section of the radio spectrum and can only communicate using voice (SSB and AM). Amateur Radio operators have 10 different bands of frequencies below 30 MHz and can communicate using many different forms including Morse Code, several different digital modes, television signals, voice modes such as SSB, FM and AM. Many Amateur Radio Operators use output powers over 1,000 watts..." KD50M.com: ("A Whole Bunch of Information about Amateur Radio")

"DX Radio is the hobby of listening to distant radio stations, typically from locations well outside their intended coverage area. Sometimes the weakness of the signal is the challenge, sometimes the amount of interference, and other times the infrequent or irregular schedule of the station. Typically most dx-ing is achieved on the Mediumwave Band (AM band) and the shortwave Tropical Bands between 2 and 6 MHz. The higher shortwave bands 6 to 30 MHz are generally used for true international broadcasting.

Why DX?
It's a challenge. Radio propagation isn't constant and many factors influence it. The time of day and the time of year affect the strength of signals. Radiation emitted by the sun changes daily which affects the earth's ionosphere as well as the approximate 11 year cycle of sunspot activity. The weather and the seasons also dramatically affect VHF propagation, with the summer often allowing stations to be heard from many hundreds of miles. For instance Italy, Spain and North Africa are frequently heard in the UK on FM from May through to September.

" The Xtal Set Society, founded in 1991, is dedicated to once again building and experimenting with radio electronics. Our newsletters are packed full of projects and information about Crystal Radios, mostly dealing with design and electronics issues. Each newsletter contains lead articles and often, a building project and membership correspondence. Our lead articles are written by members of the Society. Occasionally we reprint a hard to find article from the 1920's or 30's. Members are encouraged to send projects and information to the Society and to correspond with each other.

Over the years we have listed vendors and sent our members elsewhere for parts. We came to realize that some of the national outlets for parts were no longer serving our needs, so we searched until we found manufacturers willing to create parts for the society. You’ll find those on our parts page." ... more

"700 AMATEUR RADIO TOPICS - 6,000 LINKS & 133 PAGES - From ANTENNAS to ZONES"

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