What is a HAM radio?

Question

Can i program a scanner frequnecy and talk to people on it or what? Can i talk to the police or something if i program my scanner frequncies on it. IM BOUT TO BUY ONE BUT I NEED TO KNOW IF I CAN DO THAT ON IT??????

Answer 1

Amateur radio, often called ham radio, is a hobby and public service enjoyed by about 3 million people[1] throughout the world. An amateur radio operator, also known as a ham or radio amateur, uses two-way radio equipment to communicate with other radio amateurs for public service, recreation and self-training.

Check the wikipeadia link for more

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Answer 2

HAM (amateur) radio is a glorious hobby, where you can speak to other hams either locally or all over the world by two-way radio. Some of the modern HAM equipment has scanning capabilities. HAMS have been very important in providing emergency communications, and communications in disasters where telephones, etc. fail. There is a military affiliate system where they are in contact with uniformed services. In very rare disasters, they can be called upon to supplement police communications. BUT you need a license from the US Government (FCC), which means taking a test.
But you can ONLY transmit on special frequencies, and these are NOT police frequencies. So you cannot talk to police or firemen for example. (although some police or firemen, when off-duty, are also HAMS).
That being said- if you buy a "scanner", it is usually only a receiver and cannot transmit.

Answer 3

Amateur radio, often called ham radio, is a hobby and public service enjoyed by about 3 million people throughout the world. An amateur radio operator, also known as a ham or radio amateur, uses two-way radio equipment to communicate with other radio amateurs for public service, recreation and self-training.

Answer 4

Ham radios come in many different styles and cover many different frequency bands. A license is required to operate on all Ham (amateur radio) frequencies. You cannot legally transmit at all unless you get a license!

A scanner only can listen to radio traffic. you cannot talk.

Under NO circumstances can you talk to police on their frequencies! Interference to a public service carries severe penalties.

All radio services require the appropriate licenses. You can receive severe penalties for illegal operation.

Answer 5

It's not "A Ham" radio, but simply Ham radio. Ham radio is the term used to describe over the air transmission and receiving of radio signals.

While it is capable of communicating with police, fire and emergency personnel, interference with their radio communications is illegal.