Amateur Radio, also called “Ham” radio, is not just a great hobby, but it is an essential skill to have during emergency situations where normal modes of communicating are limited or not available. You can use amateur radio not only to talk to those in your local area, but also people around the world. When all else fails, amatuer radio works.
Although you are required to take a test and obtain an operator’s license from the FCC before you can legally transmit on an amateur radio, the test really isn’t that hard. The FCC gives you all of the possible question that can be asked on the test, along with the correct answers. It really is only a matter of memorization to get started with Amatue Radio. If you find a local amateur radio club where others can help you learn about amateur radio, read one of the ARRL prep books (available to borrow for free in most libraries), or watch videos and read articles online to learn more, all the better. I guarantee once you have your license and start using the radio you will learn more.
Even before you get a license, you can always have, and use, an amateur radio for monitoring or even to transmit with in a true emergency where someone’s life is in danger. This means you would have access to a lot of information in an emergency well before it hits the air for broadcast radio or TV. The kind of information you would hear during an emergency would include weather information, travel information telling you which routes are open or closed, local information as to what stores or emergency distribution points are open, and what they offer, and what other emergency services are available in your area, like well checks to find out about others you don’t have direct contact with in an effected area. In a true emergency, as long as you are not abusing the use of the frequencies, nobody should care if you are licensed. During hurricane Helene in the Western Carolinas, there were multiple repeaters and operators welcoming anyone who could transmit to participate in their nets to give and receive information.
In general, amateur radio operators are a very friendly group who are always welcoming new members and willing to help in any way they can. That’s just the nature of the hobby. To learn more, check out our other articles under the Amatyeur Radio menu above to learn how to get started, get your first license, and then move on to more advanced areas of the hobby.