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What is Amateur Radio?
Amateur (Ham) Radio is a hobby that combines interests in communications, electronics, digital technologies and other disciplines. Radio Amateurs use primarily radio based systems to talk or communicate with like minded people from all ages and walks of life across the planet.
Ham radio has a community social aspect and also can be competitive with regular competitions to DX or make long distance connections. The community also offer emergency communication to remote areas or those affected by adverse weather or disaster.
Regulation
In the UK Amateur licences are provided and regulated by the UK Office of Telecommunications (OFCOM) in conjunction with the Radio Society of Great Britain.
UK Band Plan (FAT)
Radio frequency spectrum is finite and its use is tightly controlled in the UK (as it is in most countries). OFCOM, the government organisation who controls how the radio spectrum is allocated and used in the UK publishes a reference document defining who can use which frequencies, under what circumstances and certain licence restrictions.
There are a number of licence free bands defined (used for example by WiFi, PMR and LowRa), however to transmit on most parts of the radio spectrum requires a licence, for which conditions need to be met to ensure the spectrum is used appropriately.
- OFCOM UK FAT (Frequency Allocation Table)
Amateur Licencing
In order to obtain an Amateur Radio Licence the operator needs to prove that they understand the basics of the hobby and the restrictions placed upon them by the license conditions. This is regulated by series of three exam levels that allow higher power and additional frequency use as the requirements to pass become increasingly demanding.
- Types of licence
- UK Foundation Licence - Also known as Technician Class License in the US
- UK Intermediate Licence - Also known as General Class License in the US
- UK Full Licence - Also known as Class License in the US
- Training
- Resources
- Exams
Note: Although there is some correlation between UK and US license structures, licensing, training and even frequency band plans are different across the world and licenses and exams are not interchangeable. If you are training for a Radio Amateur exam, be sure to use information resources dedicated to your country's organisational body. See below to links for Radio Amateur Organisations around the world.
Organisations
Clubs
There are a large number of regional Amateur Radio clubs in the UK. The clubs tend to be quite active and good places to meet other radio enthusiasts in person, learn new skills or work on your next level exam prep. Many hold events such as competitions and meets.
The RSGB website hosts a Club Finder tool to search for a local club in your area.
Modes
Detailed information is available on this wiki page, however over time we will build some information resources on ideasplace. Temporarily below are placeholders while the articles are being written.
CW (Carrier Wave)
Analogue Voice (AM, FM, SB)
- AM (Amplitude Modulation)
- FM (Frequency Modulation)
- Side Bands (many types)
- Other Modulation Modes
Digital Audio
- DMR (Motorola & other professional radios)
- D-Star (Icom, Kenwood)
- System Fusion (Yaesu)
- FreeDV (Open Source)
Data
- rtty Radio Teletype
- APRS
- AMPRNet
- D-Star (Icom, Kenwood)
- WSPR Weak Signal Propagation Reporter.
- Facsimile
TV
- Amateur TV (Fast Scan)
- Slow Scan TV (SSTV)
Internet
Equipment
Transmission equipment
Transceivers
- Handheld
- Mobile
- Base Stations
- QRP (Low Power)
- Repeaters
- Beacons
- Scanners and Receivers
- LoRA Systems
Antennas
More column inches have been written about antennas than about any other subject related to Amateur Radio - TheWikiPedia
- Diapole
- Yagi (Directional)
- Ground Plane