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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is finding one wireless communication method to be on the rise – to historic levels of popularity. But there are no apps available for this.
FOX News Radio’s Chris Hoenig has the details in this “FOX on Tech”:
Audio clip:
Americans are hamming it up more than ever before…using ham radios, that is. The FCC says licenses for the amateur radios are at an all-time high: more than 700,000 licenses are currently active, and the number is growing at a rate of more than 20,000 a year. Luke Rohn at Amateur Electronics Supply in Las Vegas likes them because they’re cheap and can reach incredible distances, including into space.
(Rohn) “I think there’s something magical about being able to communicate with people around the world using nothing other than a radio, wireless communications. You don’t have to rely on cell phones.”
Which is why emergency groups are increasingly picking up on the trend. When TVs, cellphones and the internet don’t work, ham is still here.
At a more local level, there’s the good old “foxhunt,” a ham version of “Capture the Flag.”
(Mavis) “The foxhunt is really fun, it’s a lot of fun. The thrill of the chase.”
Rob Mavis runs the competitions in Clovis, California, where teams try to find their opponent’s hidden transmitter using homemade antennas.
Chris Hoenig, FOX News Radio.
WATCH more on the rise in ham radio popularity HERE:
I've been a radio ham since 1961! The US government doesn't give you a license, you had to EARN the privilege by passing a written exam on radio theory and government regulations. Demonstrating your skill in sending and receiving Morse Code was required too in those days.
Back then I was in junior high school and ham radio was a great way to meet more experienced hams who were happy to help you out. I learned more about geography, different cultures, electronics, math and other topics because the more you knew about them, the more FUN you had has a ham operator!
As I grew older, my networking with hams helped me find summer jobs, getting into college and finding a career in software engineering. Over the years I helped many newcomers get started, as I was helped.
There truly is something magical about communicating across great distances with equipment and antennas that you maintain, built or refurbished yourself! Only the laws of physics support your communications. No Internet or other carrier is employed. YOU are your own carrier. What a thrill it is, the first time somebody answers your call!