Ham Radio Technician license frequencies

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But that definition leaves out something very important: ham radio is a lot of fun!

If you're interested in hobby radio at all, ham radio is the ultimate trip: the chance to operate your own radio station. Want to communicate around the world on shortwave? Want to use VHF and UHF frequencies like you can hear on a scanner? Want to operate your own television station? The ultimate model radio control system? Want to experiment with packet radio-an on-the-air version of the Internet-or "go retro" with Morse code? Ever wondered what it would be like to communicate directly with a ham aboard the Space Shuttle or through a communications satellite using your own radio station? You can do all of that, and a lot more, with ham radio.

One thing needs to be made clear up front: all ham radio communications are restricted to two-way communications with other ham radio stations. You can't broadcast on the AM or FM broadcast bands with a ham radio license, nor can you communicate with other two-way radio stations, like CB or marine stations, via ham radio except in emergencies.

Ham radio operators have several different frequency bands set aside for their use. These bands range from just above the AM broadcast band (the AM band ends at 1700 kHz; the 160-meter ham band begins at 1800 kHz) through the shortwave band and into the VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. The exact frequency ranges that you can use depends upon the class of ham radio license you hold.