HAM Radio - 30 Random Facts!

The first radio transmission was sent by Marconi in 1895. It wasn't until 1901 that the first wireless transmission was made across the Atlantic Ocean.

# 1 HAM radio operators can bounce signals off the moon to communicate with others across the globe.
# 2 The term "HAM" originally referred to unskilled or amateur radio operators, but it has since become a term of endearment for the hobby.
# 3 The longest distance communication on HAM radio was first made in 1989 between New Zealand and Canada, a distance of over 18,000 km.
# 4 Morse code is still used by many HAM radio operators today, especially for emergency communications.
# 5 HAM radio operators can communicate with astronauts on the International Space Station using special equipment.
# 6 HAM radio played a crucial role in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, as many other forms of communication were unavailable.
# 7 In some countries, such as North Korea, HAM radio is strictly regulated or prohibited.
# 8 HAM radio operators have access to exclusive frequency bands not available to other radio users.
# 9 The largest HAM radio operator organization in the world is the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), which was founded in 1914.
# 10 The HAM radio community played a major role in disaster relief efforts after the earthquake in Haiti in 2010.
# 11 HAM radio is often used for contesting, where operators compete to make as many contacts as possible within a set period of time.
# 12 The first HAM radio license in the United States was issued in 1912.
# 13 HAM radio can be used to communicate with people on boats, trains, and even airplanes. In some cases, HAM radio has been used to help locate missing persons.
# 14 HAM radio operators can use digital modes of communication, such as FT8 and PSK31, to transmit and receive messages.
# 15 HAM radio operators are licensed by their respective governments, and must pass a test demonstrating their knowledge of radio technology and regulations.
# 16 The first transatlantic radio communication was made in 1901 between Cornwall, England and Newfoundland, Canada.
# 17 HAM radio operators can use satellites to communicate with other operators around the world.
# 18 The first HAM radio club in the United States was the Hartford Radio Club, founded in 1914.
# 19 The first HAM radio contest was held in 1927 by the ARRL.
# 20 HAM radio has been used to communicate with people on expeditions to remote areas, such as Mount Everest and Antarctica.
# 21 HAM radio operators often build their own antennas and other equipment.
# 22 HAM radio is sometimes used by people who live in rural areas with limited access to other forms of communication.
# 23 HAM radio has been used to provide communications support for major events, such as the Boston Marathon and the Olympic Games.
# 24 HAM radio is often used in emergency situations, such as natural disasters and power outages.
# 25 The first transcontinental radio transmission was made in 1915 between New York and San Francisco.
# 26 HAM radio operators can communicate with other operators using only a piece of wire as an antenna.
# 27 The HAM radio community includes people of all ages and backgrounds, from teenagers to retirees.
# 28 HAM radio operators often participate in "fox hunts," where they use their equipment to locate hidden transmitters.
# 29 The first HAM radio repeater was built in 1948.
# 30 HAM radio operators can use digital voice modes, such as D-STAR and P25, to transmit and receive messages