Why Amateur Radio?

Why amateur radio?

I think the reason I got interest in Amateur Radio stems from my childhood messing about with walkie talkies and a desire just to learn about everything in the world. Amateur Radio isn’t just limited to talking on the radio but also data transmission, exploration of electronic and quite a large portion of the hobby is spent socialising and getting to know people.

For years I have struggled with both social settings and participating in spoken conversations. I decided to make the leap and go along to my local club one public holiday to try and tackle my issues head on. It has all definitely helped a lot. I find I am a lot more likely to talk to people face-to-face now and actively participate in discussions, rather than sit in the background and take on more of an observatory role.

My current interests in Amateur Radio are QRP (low power) SSB (single side band) communication, FM satellites and a desire to eventually learn Morse Code. My current licence permits me to only use low power, but I am currently studying to gain my Advanced Amateur Radio Licence, which will enable me to use high power, more frequencies and more modes.

I think once I upgrade, I would like to have a play with SSTV (Slow scan Television) as I find it quite interesting how a picture can be converted to audible frequency then decoded back into an image. I think I find this interesting as I play music and some of the SSTV signals can have quite a musical quality to them. I’m yet to decode a SSTV image broadcast from the International space station. However, I have listened to the voice downlink frequency during ARISS school contacts with astronauts.

The one exciting thing about amateur radio as a hobby is that it is really a hobby of hobbies. Whether you enjoy building electronic kits, building antennae, hiking, product design, general tinkering with anything and everything electrical or even just socialising; there will be something that will interest you.

If you wish to know anything about Amateur Radio, please leave a comment and I will get back to you.