Ham Radio For Dummies. H. Ward Silver

As mentioned earlier, lots of events are being conducted entirely online through Zoom or other multi-user platforms. This has become so popular that some events are being redesigned to be completely online!

      

Even if you can’t attend, the “proceedings” (a compilation of material presented at the event) are often available at little or no cost for downloading as PDF or for watching as recorded video.

      

Even if the conference isn’t a ham radio conference, it might have a group of hams hosting ham radio-themed events or presentations. For example, look for the Ham Radio Social at the IEEE International Microwave Symposium or HamCon at the Hackercon convention. Maker Faires (www.makerfaire.com) frequently feature one or more ham radio groups, too.

TABLE 3-3 Themed Conventions

Theme	Name and Website
DXing and Contesting	International DX Convention — Visalia, CA (www.dxconvention.com)
	IOTA Convention (www.facebook.com/islandsontheair/)
	Contest University (www.contestuniversity.com)
	DX University (www.dxuniversity.com)
	W9DXCC — Chicago, IL (www.w9dxcc.com)
	W4DXCC — Pigeon Forge, TN (www.w4dxcc.com)
VHF, UHF, and Microwave	Southeastern VHF Conference (SVHFS: www.svhfs.org)
	Eastern VHF Conference (NEWSVHF: www.newsvhf.com)
	Central States VHF Conference (CSVHF: www.csvhfs.org)
	Pacific Northwest VHF Conference (PNWVHF: www.pnwvhfs.org)
	Microwave Update (www.facebook.com/MicrowaveUpdate/)
	International EME Conference (search for International EME Conference online)
Technical	Digital Communications Conference — hosted by ARRL and TAPR (www.tapr.rg/conferences.html)
	Microhams — Bellvue, WA (www.microhams.com/mhdc)
	SDR Academy — Friedrichshafen, Germany (www.2020.sdra.io)
	GNU Radio (www.gnuradio.org)
QRP (Low Power)	QRP Four Days in May — held at the Hamvention (www.qrparci.org/www.qrparci.org/fdim)
	OzarkCon (www.ozarkcon.com/index.php)

Part 2

      Wading through the Licensing Process

IN THIS PART …

      Tour the Federal Communications Commission’s amateur radio licensing system, see how call signs are structured, and find out how the call sign system works.

      Find out about the exam itself, as well as how to study for it by yourself and with a mentor.

      See how to locate and register for an exam session, and get ready to take the exam.

      While you’re waiting for your brand-new call sign, decide whether you want to customize your call.

Chapter 4

      Understanding the Licensing System

      IN THIS CHAPTER

      

Discovering communication services

      

Understanding license types

      

Learning about license exams

      

Getting a call sign

      Like most people, you’re probably familiar with the process of getting a license to drive your car, to fish, or to get married, but ham radio licensing is a little different. The process is easy to deal with when you know how it works, however. This chapter explains the FCC licensing system for amateur radio in the United States.

      

Hams call their license a “ticket” for good reason since it’s a ticket to all of what ham radio has to offer.

      Amateur radio is one of many types of communication services that use radio. Similar services include broadcast (AM and FM radio, television), public safety (police and fire departments), aviation, and even radar systems (radionavigation).

      

When the name of a specific service is capitalized, such as Amateur Radio Service or Citizens Band, that’s a formal reference to the set of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules for that service. Each service has a different set of rules for its type of operating and use.

To maintain order on the