What is ham radio?

Amateur Radio is a radio service that anyone can get involved with. Amateur radio is also known as" Ham" radio, which you may have heard of it at one time or another. No one knows for sure why amateur radio operators are called hams, the original meaning has been lost over the years. Many theories exists as to the meaning of "ham", but nothing concrete. Amateur radio operators have been around since the beginning of radio, but the Amateur Radio Service did not come along until the advent of a licensing body.
During the beginning of radio, around the turn of the century, many basement experimenters built radio transmitters and receivers. These were called Spark Gap transmitters. They occupied a very wide bandwidth when transmitting. These stations would interfere with ship to shore communications on several occasions with their wide bandwidth transmissions. After years of complaints from these ship to shore stations, and among other concerns, it was decided that this new technology needed a structure and regulation. Hence the US FCC (Federal Communications Commission) was born, it was called something else at that time. Band segments were set aside for each specific service that was created and the "amateurs" enjoyed their own segments of the radio spectrum. Extending up into the HF, VHF and UHF bands, which at that time were considered "worthless”! Hams enjoy worldwide communications daily using homemade as well as commercially built equipment. Amateurs do not broadcast their transmissions, they have two-way communications with other amateurs. In fact, it is illegal for amateurs to broadcast information for the general public on the amateur radio bands or communicate with non-amateurs. Every amateur radio station has a call sign and in Malaysia the amateur radio license is issued by the Suruhanjaya Multimedia dan Komunikasi or Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). Other countries have their own licensing body, and just about every country in the world has an amateur radio service. Internationally, the requirements for obtaining a license are similar. A ham in China is required to take a test similar to that of a ham in the USA or any other country, although the licensing structure may vary with regards to license classes. All amateurs are restricted to the same bands or frequencies depending on his or her class of license. Just like all air traffic is controlled on the same frequencies around the world. It would be very difficult if you didn't know where to look for other amateurs!
Amateurs provide emergency communications when disaster strikes around the world. Floods, earthquakes, fires, tornadoes etc. have all called the active ham into public service. Providing emergency communications when ordinary communications are out of service. Thereby making the amateur radio service a vital source for communications when needed. Many lives have been saved over the years because of amateur radio, vital life saving information has been passed through amateur radio stations. It is a hobby and no monetary gains can be made from the use of amateur radio, which is strictly prohibited. Amateur radio is not CB radio. Citizens Band, or CB, is a completely different service altogether . One of the goals of amateur radio is to spread “international goodwill " around the world amongst other hams, it is kind of like a brotherhood of sorts. Countless friendships have grown through the means of amateur radio. Hams on one coast become friends with hams on the other, people that otherwise would have never known about each other have met while enjoying their hobby. Sure, there are times when someone will do or say something on the air that invokes an argument or rude behavior. But like any aspect of the human society, we learn to deal with it and make amends. For the most part, hams are ladies and gentlemen, and respect the wishes of others. Most hams will welcome you into their "roundtable" at anytime, provided you follow good operating practices. Many are very willing and eager to help a beginner with his or her station operation or getting licensed.
Have you recently received your amateur radio operators license and don't know what to do with it? Why not check out your local radio club and find an "Elmer”? Don't know what an "elmer" is? Then keep reading. Questions have been asked on some "insiders" information as to what some of the lingo which you hear on the bands means. So hopefully answers to some of your questions can be found here and clear up some of the "mysterious" words and phrases you will encounter while tuning to the ham frequencies. Most phrases and "codes" come from communicating via morse code. It is much faster to send a series of code letters or numbers than it is to spell each word out one at a time. Therefore, a group of codes was derived to make it easier on the Morse operator during his/her sending. I will not list them all as most are not relevant to your operating practices, but will list the most common ones heard on the bands today.
The meanings carry over to phone (SSB, AM, FM) as well as the digital modes . Try to refrain from using the "Q" codes on phone unless the band conditions are really poor. Why? Because if you are communicating with someone else who speaks your same language (which is most likely) there is no need to use codes as they will better understand you if you speak plain English (or whatever language you are speaking!).
An "elmer" is a kindly ham who helps newcomers get started in amateur radio. Many are happy to invite you into their "shacks" for a demonstration as to how an amateur radio station operates. Others enjoy helping with the testing procedures, and getting a station set up and on the air. Many Elmers can be found at your local ham radio club, contact the Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters' Society (MARTS) for information on any clubs you may have in your area.