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You Can Have This Capability for Yourself and Your Family <br />Getting Your Own Ham Radio License <br />Unlike some other types of radio services, you need an FCC license to communicate with <br />a ham radio. There are three levels of Amateur Radio licenses, and getting your first one is not <br />all that hard. Many people pass their FCC exam in a week of spare time study and there are <br />lots of groups and people who will help you. <br />You can get help from a local club at www.arrl.org/findaclub. <br />There is even an online, self -teaching course at www.aryl.org/cce/courses.html#ec010. <br />Costs <br />In general, you can expect to spend about $40 <br />in books and fees to earn your first license. <br />With another $200 you can purchase your first <br />radio and the gear you will use to get on the air <br />for yourself and start making contacts. Of course <br />good, used equipment is available for less. <br />Joining an Emergency <br />Communications Group <br />To join the Amateur Radio Emergency Service <br />(ARES), you must have a ham radio license. <br />ARES members constantly learn more about <br />emergency operations and practice regularly <br />by providing aid to non -emergency events like <br />parades, marathons and drills. <br />ARES <br />ARES has formal, national <br />agreements to provide <br />emergency communications <br />aid for FEMA, DHS, The <br />American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, <br />and many other response organizations. <br />Simply stated, ham radio provides <br />the broadest and most powerful <br />wireless communications <br />capability available to any private <br />citizen anywhere in the world. <br />What is the ARRL? <br />Founded in 1914, the American Radio Relay <br />League is the 150,000-member national <br />association for Amateur Radio in the USA. <br />Other countries have their own national <br />associations. <br />ARRL is the primary source of information <br />about what is going on in ham radio. It provides <br />books, news, support and information for <br />individuals and clubs, special events, all sorts <br />of continuing education classes and other <br />benefits for its members. <br />Amateur or "ham" radio has been around for a <br />century. In that time, it's grown into a worldwide <br />community of licensed operators using the <br />airwaves with every conceivable means of <br />communications technology. Its practitioners <br />range in age from youngsters to grandparents. <br />Ham radio attracts those who have never held <br />a microphone as well as the technical expert <br />who grew up with a computer. Even rocket <br />scientists and a rock star or two are in the <br />ham ranks. <br />Most, however, are just normal folks like you <br />and me who transmit voice, data and pictures <br />through the airwaves, use the Internet, lasers <br />and microwave transmitters, satellites and TV, <br />and even travel to unusual places near and far <br />to make contact. <br />Where do I start? <br />Go to: <br />www.emergency-radio.org <br />You can find more information to get started on the <br />Web site or contact the local group listed below: <br />