Since radio began the business of distant, wireless communication has fascinated many and it wasn’t long before associations of amateur radio operators were formed. Unlike CB radio amateur radio allows you to broadcast with incredible power, up to 1000 watts.. The available wavebends are more diverse and less crowded and you can even acquire access to very specialized teletype and tv frequencies. With the addition of satellite technology no corner of the world is out of reach. The downside is that amateur radio is licensed and there are examinations you need to pass before you can get the license.
Amatuer radio offers multiple licenses for different levels of users.
The Novice license allows operations access to several High Frequency bands via Morse code as well as single sideband communication by voice between 28.3 and 28.5 MHz also between 28.1 and 28.3 for radio tele-type. To access these frequencies all you need is a 10 Meter Radio even though these radios are often referred to as a 10 Meter CB Radio they are actually quite different as a CB radio does not require a license and a 10 Meter Radio does. Single Side Band (SSB) and FM voice as well as two-way broadcasting via television frequencies are allowed between 222.01 and 223.91 Mhz and 1270 - 1295 Mhz too.All it takes to get a Novice license is a simple radio theory exam and the ability to do Morse code at 5 words per minute.
Acquiring a Technicians license opens up the VHF and UHF bands.|The Technicians license means that you can now transmit on the UHF and VHF frequencies. To get this license you must pass a theory examination which includes questions about FCC rules and requirements.
The next step is the General Class. A General Class operator can operate on High Frequency, Very High Frequency and Ultra High Frequency. In order to get this license you need to take a test on FCC regulations, general radio theory and show that you can transmit Morse Code at a speed of 13 words per minute.
The Advanced radio license provides access to more frequencies in the HF band, but to get this you must have passed the General class Morse Code and radio theory exams and a more advanced radio theory test.
The highest license you can get for ham radio is the Extra Class license. Bearers of this license have total access to all HF VHF and UHF frequencies which have been assigned to amateur radio. This license is not easy to get you must take a test on complex radio theory and operate Morse code quickly.
The American Radio Relay League is a non profit group that helps amatuer radio operators pass their exams by providing all the information you may need.
CB radio offers a solid alternative for people not interested in taking tests. Unlike amatuer radio there is no license requirement for cb radio. CB’ers use a lighter language and there is never any Morse code. All you need is the right equipment. Sound like something you want to try?