Amateur Radio Guide

Amateur Radio Buying Guide

Amateur radio communication has been an interesting and very informative means of communicating for a very long time. For getting the maximum output from this radio, you need to make sure you are following proper installation practices. An Amateur Radio license should be with you when carrying out operations. A thorough knowledge of Amateur radio operations is very useful for making the most potential when using these devices. By doing so, you will grow your list of contacts locally and internationally.

If you want to enjoy all the benefits of your Amateur radio, you need to learn about all the features that you that are available to you. There are plenty of options for Amateur radio enthusiasts in the market nowadays. We recommend you stay updated with the famous brands that deal in selling the best products. Pay attention to where you can find these products at the best prices. Of course, you should understand how you can make your operations most efficient and worthwhile. For keeping pace with the dynamics of the modern world, you must also have sound knowledge about the frequency types, types of licenses you can have, parts of an Amateur radio system and the potential advantages of using an Amateur Radio.

Discover Amateur Radio

Having an Amateur radio at home or in your vehicle can be a very fun-filled activity. You can chat with anyone sitting anywhere in the world using this system in no time. People from all age groups can use this facility and make most out of the efforts they put into this device. Below is a list of the types of Amateur radios that you can bring home, details about their operating frequencies and an overview of the components found in these systems.

Types of Amateur Radios

Amateur radios are available in three categories: handheld, mobile, and base station. Below are the brief descriptions of each one of them:



Handheld

These are portable kind of Amateur radios that can help you stay connected on the go. They can deliver a maximum range of 5 miles because their power output is relatively less.  However, you can easily increase the range by employing an Amateur radio repeater somewhere near the radio.

Mobile

These are the best picks to be used on vehicles. They have a higher power output resulting in a range of 200 miles. A home wall connection, battery used in a vehicle or a power adapter are the sources of 12 volts DC in this case.

Base – Station

These are the complete stations having sophisticated Amateur radio setups and give a range that can cover miles. Household current or a 12-volt battery connection is the power source for these systems. These stations work on an even a wider range of frequencies during their operations. Some exclusively work at the high-frequency ranges.

Despite having so many options, buyers should be very specific about their Amateur Radio needs and should make a purchase in a very calculated way.

Frequency Types

Amateur radios have different frequencies to operate on that can be categorized into the following types:

High Frequency (HF)

This range contains frequencies from 3 MHz to 30. Amateur radio operators commonly prefer using this range as this range gives them more freedom and power than those who operate on the very high-frequency bands.

Very High Frequency (VHF)

This band contains frequencies from 30 MHz to 300 MHz. VHF transceivers can operate on 1 to 4 frequencies maximum.

Types of Amateur Radio Licenses

A license is a requisite for law abiding Amateur radio operations. Owning and listening to an Amateur radio is one thing, but for being able to use the device, it requires a technician’s license that can obtain after passing a test. The type of license you have determines what frequencies you are allowed to access.


Benefits of Ham Radios in the Modern Age

Although technology has advanced far ahead of the scope of the Amateur radios, the importance of Ham radios will never fade off completely. They play their significant role in emergency communications and shortwave radio communications.

Emergency Communications

When all other means of communication give up, this is where the ham radios come to the rescue. Whether the local emergencies are concerned or it is a national one, ham radio operators have the power to work even in those areas where all other technologies fail.

Shortwave Communications

Through the shortwave communications, you can connect with other ham radio operators locally as well as globally. You can form a group of friends through this unique network.

A Unique Virtual Community

Ham radio operators are a part of a unique virtual community where open discussions, named as nets, along with various exciting contests happen quite frequently. Everyone who wishes to enter this network must have a valid license for being a legal member of this group with freedom to modify the system as and when required.