What is 73 in ham radio?

What is 73 in ham radio?

73 — Ham lingo for "best regards." Used on both phone and CW toward the end of a contact. The first authentic use of 73 is in the publication The National Telegraph Review and Operators' Guide, first published in April 1857. At that time, 73 meant "My love to you!"

How far does a ham radio reach?

With a 2 metre mobile radio in your car, you can talk directly to other hams 15 or 20 kilometres away. By operating through a repeater station, that same radio can reliably reach hundreds of kilometres. With an HF (high frequency) radio, you can reach the entire world…if the conditions are favorable.

Can a ham radio listen to police frequencies?

Most of these agencies, departments, and others transmit and receive on Federal Government assigned frequencies in the Vhf and Uhf range of frequencies above standard broadcast FM stations of the radio spectrum and cannot be heard on your standard car or home radio but can be heard on "Police type Radio Scanners".

What is QRZ Ham Radio?

QRZ.com is an amateur radio callsign website, which houses almost every callsign in the world. Founded by Fred L Lloyd in 1992, a huge amount of effort was put in to work with the FCC database, to create a CD-ROM with all callsigns issued. … It is one of the most recognized websites for amateur radio enthusiasts.

What is a ham radio transceiver?

A typical ham radio is a transmitter and a receiver, usually purchased as one unit, called a transceiver. Newer transceiver models often have semi-complicated controls and menu systems that may take some reading of the manual.

How much does a ham radio license cost?

The entry-level FCC license (called a Technician Class License) is earned after the successful completion of a 35-question written exam. Exams are usually administered by local volunteer examiners. The cost can range from free, to a nominal fee that shouldn't exceed $15.

What does it mean to go ham?

When a person is unstoppable or just in the zone in any type sport or competition setting; it can also be defined as going crazy and buying up everything in a store; or even doing something beast-like.

Are ham radios still used?

Ham radios can run on battery or generator power, so are not reliant on grid power. Operators can be fanatical about their hobby, therefore skilled. Radios can be capable of communicating over long distances, and Hams have used the moon to bounce signals. Communications satellites can also be used.

Is Ham an acronym?

Ham can be used to describe “a woman's thighs, legs, or butt, [though the phrase] generally applies to the thighs [and] comes from the word ham, which is the thigh in a cut of pork.” And H.A.M., as an acronym, stands for “hard ass motherf*****s” — which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Why do you need a ham radio license?

That's why you need a license to get into the Amateur Radio Service. That way, hams know that their comrades-in-arms have the basic knowledge and skill to handle radio waves safely.

Where did the term ham come from?

7 Answers. The word Ham to mean an "overacting inferior performer," apparently dates from about 1882 and orignates from American English. Originally the word was hamfatter, meaning "actor of low grade," and has been linked to an old minstrel show song, "The Ham-fat Man" which dates from about 1863.