What is Amateur radio?
[[File:Amateurfunkstation.jpg|thumb|right|200px|An amateur radio station]] '''Amateur radio''' is a [[hobby]] for people who like to talk using [[radio]] transmitters. Many people enjoy using amateur radio to talk to other amateur radio hobbyists in other countries. Amateur radio hobbyists also use their radio transmitters to get help in [[emergency|emergencies]]. Amateur radio is often called ''ham radio''. Many people use their [[wikt:amateur|amateur]] radios for [[wikt:fun|fun]]. People who use Amateur radio are often called ''amateur radio [[operator]]s'', ''hams'' or ''amateurs''. During a [[disaster]] or emergency, amateur radio can be used to get help. When [[telephone]]s do not work, it may be the only way to communicate. Some radio hobbyists volunteer to listen to emergency band frequencies in case there are distress calls. If the volunteers hear a distress call, they notify the appropriate authorities (for example the [[police]] or the [[Coast Guard]]). ==License== People must have a [[license]] to use Amateur radio. In most countries users must pass a test to get a license. In some countries there is more than one license grade. In some countries, people can use Amateur radio if they have a license from their home country. There are many [[Social Club|club]]s for Amateur radio in many countries. These clubs do many things as a group and help people get their Amateur radio license. ==Talking== Amateur radio operators talk to each other in many ways. Some people talk with their [[voice]], others use [[computer]]s, [[television]], or [[Morse code]]. They use many ways to get their signals to others. Most use [[shortwave radio]] [[signal (electrical engineering)|signal]]s that bounce off the sky. Some bounce off the [[moon]] or a [[satellite (artificial)|satellite]]. Amateur radio operators have many ways to talk using the radio. Amateur radio satellites are called OSCAR's - Orbital Satellites Carrying Amateur Radio. Hams can also talk to [[astronaut]]s and cosmonauts aboard the [[International Space