Get Radio Sign Out Sheet

There are more than 700,000 licensed ham operators in the U.S. and more than three million worldwide, Koss said.

Over 725,000 Americans have ham radio licenses, up more than 60 percent since 1981, ing to NPR. Perhaps part of the appeal is the charm of analog, which has made LPs the fastest growing music format in recent years not transmitted over a wire.

Start With an HT The HT provides the quickest on-air experience, the most bang for the buck, and the most flexibility of use of any ham station form factor. It is also the least expensive type of ham radio to get started with.

Ham radio equipment typically includes a radio and transceiver (handheld, mobile, or mounted). Depending upon your goals, you may choose to add computers, power cables, antennas, weather stations, scanners and receivers, towers, two-way radios, and other specialized devices.

It's a great starter radio for those just getting into the hobby. Of course, there are higher-end options available, but the great thing about ham radio is that you really only need airway access and a license. The rest is up to you. Incremental steps forward in equipment won't break the bank, either.

Amateur or “ham” radio is a method of two-way communication. At first glance, it resembles Citizen's Band (CB) radio or perhaps walkie-talkies, but there is much more to it. Amateur radio has more capabilities beyond what is possible with a walkie talkie or CB radio.

Amateur radio is a popular hobby that combines many different aspects but this hobby is suffering a worldwide decline.

Typically you'll need a minimum of 15 amps for high-power transceivers (50-80W) and at least 10 amps for medium-power radios (25-40W). Check the recommendations in your radio's manual for specific requirements. As you step up to HF radios with higher wattage, you'll need larger power supplies.