What is amateur radio? Amateur radio (often called ham radio) is
a hobby in which people communicate with and experiment with
radio. The ability to experiment with radio is an important
distinction between amateur radio and other ways in which
members of the public are allowed to use radio such as Citizens'
Band, Family Radio Service and Business Radio. Because radio
amateurs are allowed to experiment with radio, they are required
to pass tests or examinations to prove a level of technical
competence before being granted a license. For other types of
radio license no tests are required, but experimentation is not
permitted and users may only use approved types of equipment
with limited power and simple antennas in order that they do not
unknowingly cause interference to other radio users. The ability
to experiment also provides an important justification for
reserving valuable frequency bands for use by radio amateurs. In
the United Kingdom, radio amateurs are granted a license for the
purpose of training the