Wiktionary
n. The hobby or pastime, usually practised by an enthusiast rather than a professional, that includes communicating world-wide by two-way radio and striving for “DX” receptions that are challenge, usually because of distance.
Wikipedia
Amateur radio (also called ham radio) describes the use of radio frequency spectrum for purposes of non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, private recreation, radiosport, contesting, and emergency communication. The term "amateur" is used to specify "a duly authorised person interested in radioelectric practice with a purely personal aim and without pecuniary interest;" (either direct monetary or other similar reward) and to differentiate it from commercial broadcasting, public safety (such as police and fire), or professional two-way radio services (such as maritime, aviation, taxis, etc.).
The amateur radio service (amateur service and amateur-satellite service) is established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) through the International Telecommunication Regulations. National governments regulate technical and operational characteristics of transmissions and issue individual stations licenses with an identifying call sign. Prospective amateur operators are tested for their understanding of key concepts in electronics and the host government's radio regulations. Radio amateurs use a variety of voice, text, image, and data communications modes and have access to frequency allocations throughout the RF spectrum to enable communication across a city, region, country, continent, the world, or even into space.
Amateur radio is officially represented and coordinated by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), which is organized in three regions and has as its members the national amateur radio societies which exist in most countries. According to an estimate made in 2011 by the American Radio Relay League, two million people throughout the world are regularly involved with amateur radio. About 830,000 amateur radio stations are located in IARU Region 2 (the Americas) followed by IARU Region 3 (South and East Asia and the Pacific Ocean) with about 750,000 stations. A significantly smaller number, about 400,000, are located in IARU Region 1 (Europe, Middle East, CIS, Africa).
Usage examples of "amateur radio".
They'll put you in touch with one of their Registered Amateur Radio Instructors in the Tucson area.
The numeral six stood for California--the United States having been cut up into ten amateur radio call zones.
K6ATX chuckled, sensing that he had a prime candidate to recruit for the incomparable hobby of Amateur Radio.
I found an amateur radio operator in Brazil, and about once a week I'd go over to his house.
He knew all about the Hallicrafters 23C, had studied carefully all of its specifications in the American Amateur Radio Relay League magazine, but he'd never seen one before.
He knew all about the Hallicrafters 23C, had studied carefully all of its specifications in the American Amateur Radio Relay League magazine, but hed never seen one before.
He knew all about the Hallicrafters 23C, had studied carefully all of its specifications in the American Amateur Radio Relay League magazine, but he’.
But after the professor explained that he held a doctorate in mathematics, practiced crypt-analysis as a hobby, held an amateur radio license, and wanted to serve, the Army major in charge could not be bothered.
Villard of Stanford Research Institute who has published precisely collated results of some ninety-two LDE reports from amateur radio operators from 1968 to '71.
A placard over the equipment bore a set of call letters such as are assigned to amateur radio stations.
His quick, vivid turn of phrase had breathed life into the every-day meteorological reports and the fact that he was an amateur radio operator, a 'ham' in his spare time, had added to the fascination of the book, for his contacts were the weather ships, the wireless operators of distant steamers, other meteorologists, and as a result the scope of his observations was much wider than that of the ordinary airport weather man taking all his information from teleprinted bulletins.
There were thousands of amateur radio stations on the air all over the country, and a conversation such as this would not arouse suspicion.
He had studied for and successfully passed the required government examination to become an amateur radio operator.
Then, having achieved his goal, he had found that the demands of his practice, not to mention middle age, left him little energy to stay up late and talk to amateur radio operators around the country.
Both were amateur radio operators, and they owned a shortwave set, which was why Jenny had come here.