HAM radio operators, also often called Hams or amateur radio operators, can send and receive messages verbally or via Morse code and computer data. But don't let the morse code scare you away, as it's now completely optional for all HAM licenses. Hams communicate with each other locally and worldwide, sometimes even bouncing their radio signals off the moon. This is a big contrast to CB radio, best-known for its use by long-haul truckers, because the average range of a CB radio is only about 5 miles. The other big benefit, other than making radio contacts around the world, is in emergency situations where HAMS get together and form ad-hoc communication systems when other traditional methods aren't available.
When the power grid fails, and cell phone networks are down, in the most dire of situations, you will find HAM radio operators assisting in getting help where it's needed the most. Young, old, male, female, and in every country in the world you will find HAM radio operators.
It's important to note that all of them are, technically, amateurs in the sense that they participate in HAM radio for the love of it. Some Hams use HAM radio to make friends around the world, while others are interested in the electronics of the radio gear itself, including building their own equipment. In fact a big part of the hobby revolves around scientific experimentation with antenna design.
Finding out creative ways to propagate your signal with unique antenna systems that can be designed by the individual operator. Please note that it is not legal to use HAM radio to make money, meaning you can't broadcast the selling of items. Hams leap into action whenever there's a natural disaster or emergency, as often HAM radio is the only reliable emergency communication channel available. Even some astronauts are Hams, taking equipment into space with them to communicate back to Earth.
Most Hams join local radio clubs. Most communities in Iowa have general interest clubs for Hams to share their hobby and learn from one another, while some also host special interest clubs. Hams have a long tradition of helping newcomers to the hobby, so your local radio club is one of the best ways to get started as a Ham. You have to be licensed and certified to transmit as a Ham, but you don't need a license to listen in on other Hams' transmissions.
They are harder to find, and usually require assembly and software troubleshooting. In some cases a radio telescope must be built from components.
Unlike optical telescopes, radio telescopes are found in a greater variety and each type is used for very specific observations. All radio telescopes have at least have 3 basic components: There are lots of ways to get involved in radio astronomy but they are rarely obvious and do not always offer immediate gratification such as when looking through an optical telescope.
Most radio telescope packages involve some construction and software set-up by the user, and that can be time consuming and frustrating especially if there are no clear instructions to guide the amateur.
Nonetheless, it is a very rewarding intellectual endeavor to keep you busy to the end of your life. The Itty Bitty Telescope, IBT, though simplistic as it seems, can offer you some unusual observations if you know what to look for. Radio Jove, for the observation of Jupiter storms, requires a big backyard space. Another type of radio scope, SuperSID, allows you to collect real data from the ionosphere resulting from solar activity. You can then send this data to the University of Sanford database. The Astronomical League has a radio astronomy observing program, and that can guide you in a disciplined approach.
As you explore radio astronomy, reading and watching videos on the subject will help understand more about the field.
A good starting point for a radio telescope is to check out this page on the SARA website. A very good video presentation on microwave antenna demonstrations is available on the SARA site at: Also located on the SARA main webpage menu bar is a link for projects: Two o ther good primers are: Attending a SARA conference will also help in your efforts to learn more about radio astronomy.
The annual conference at NRAO in Greenbank, WV provides instruction on a foot radio scope that is available for personal use throughout the conference. An instruction class is given on the first day of the conference so that you can use the device immediately. Skynet University offers an online class that allows use of a 20 meter radio telescope dish.
Information of the class is found at: Use of Skynet is also a complimentary benefit in some local astronomy clubs, and for a small fee, is also available to individuals. Local astronomy clubs might also have radio astronomy instrumentation for your use. Once a beginner identifies a radio telescope and project, one needs to understand what is being observed.
Radio astronomy is more than just observing.
Can't tell your VHF from your UHF? Paul Ockenden provides a primer on the various radio bands and what they're used for. The absolute top rules on radio presenting. The maximum time between periods of mentioning your station name is 15 minutes.
Equipment, instruments, and confounding factors are all important in understanding observational features as well as observational errors. Visual astronomy is much more simple in this respect. Even with access to radio telescopes, it is not a simple process of viewing something with the human eye.
Radio telescope sensitivity is a measure of the relationship between the signal and the noise.
The signal is the power detected by the telescope from the astronomical phenomena.