IST 605: Amateur Radio (HAM)

Amateur Radio, also known as Ham Radio, is a popular hobby that combines electronics, communication, and people! With a two-way radio, you can talk to people around the world or even into space. The world of Amateur Radio can be quite in-depth and technical. For this guide, I wanted to present a broad overview of the hobby, connecting it to resources that provide further details for readers. In the end, Amateur radio is a hobby that's all about fun, so even if there is a technical side that can be quite advanced, not all of the information is necessary to enjoy the hobby. The community around amateur radio is proof of this, and as you explore the sources of amateur radio in this guide, you will notice how much information about amateur radio comes from the community. 

This guide will be useful for people who are curious about the hobby, its history, and its community, but also for people who are interested in science and technology too. It's the combination of these two interests that makes amateur radio exciting for many people, and maybe this guide will have you interested in this hobby as well.

Amateur radio, also called ham radio, noncommercial two-way radio communications. Messages are sent either by voice or in International Morse Code.

Interest in amateur radio arose around the turn of the 20th century, shortly after Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi successfully sent the first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901. The interference of amateur broadcasts with commercial and military transmissions led to the institution of government control in 1911. After World War I, amateurs became active in radio experimentation, contributing to developments in long-distance broadcasting and becoming the first radio operators successfully to exploit the upper medium-frequency and lower high-frequency radio bands. Over the years, amateur radio operators have also provided emergency communications during forest fires, floods, hurricanes, and other disasters. They serve as an important link between stricken communities and the outside world until normal communications are reestablished.

Amateur radio operators in the United States are subject to international and federal regulations. There are three classes of licenses; all require a knowledge of radio theory and regulation. Amateur radio is allocated frequency bands across the radio spectrum, from medium frequency (e.g., 1.8–2 megahertz) to ultrahigh frequency (up to 1300 megahertz). There are restrictions on the power of the transmitters, and certain frequencies must be shared with due regard for the needs of other users.

• Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.). Amateur radio. Britannica Academic. Retrieved December 3, 2025, from https://academic-eb-com.libproxy.albany.edu/levels/collegiate/article/amateur-radio/6022

The Following sources and search tools were used for locating the materials for this guide.

On the side of the page, there will be keywords with definitions. Please note that these keywords are useful as well for finding your own relevant resources on amateur radio. 

Amateur Radio VS Ham Radio

As you explore this guide and do your own research, you will notice both phrases being used interchangeably, and that's because they are! Amateur radio is the more formal name of the hobby, while Ham radio is more of a nickname that came out of the hobby. So when you're researching, try changing between them, as some sources may only use one. 

Even though this hobby may be old-school, people within the community are constantly sharing useful information on blogs, forums, and social media, so dont be discouraged to learn from these sources. 

• eBook Academic Collection (EBSCOhost)
  • This database includes thousands of e-books covering a large variety of academic subjects. 
• O'Reilly for Higher Education
  • This database includes business and technology books, videos, and case studies.
• Electronics Notes
  • This website is very useful for searching and understanding electrical engineering concepts in simple summaries.
• ARRL (The American Radio Relay League)
  • A non-profit organization that represents the interests of amateur radio operators. The website provides great educational materials, and can guide you to setting up of amateur radio license exam
• Ham Study
  • This website is a study tool to help people practice for the three tiers of amateur radio licenses in the United States
• Google
• YouTube
  • The amateur radio community also has a presence on YouTube. There are great Ham Radio YouTubers who have contributed a lot of fun and useful information.
• Merriam-Webster Dictionary