Ham Radio? What’s that?

Now we have moved into the summer season I have been getting quite a few folks stopping by while I am operating in a public park. Frankly, I prefer to be left alone to get on with my activation, but if somebody stops and starts to ask questions I feel I really should respond. Who knows, they may think my setup looks very suspicious and feel obliged to report their suspicions to park officials – or the police! Better to make them feel at ease and send them on their way. I am not sure if my explanations help though. I remember an old joke about a courtroom exchange between an elderly judge and a smart young lawyer:

Judge (after listening to the lawyer’s presentation): “Counsel, I am none the wiser”

Lawyer: “No, your honor, but you are better informed”.

“That’s So Cool!”

I was activating a park near home recently. It was a small park lacking any private spaces where I could go into stealth mode and be undisturbed. I had set up my station on a picnic table. My 17ft vertical antenna was mounted on the edge of the table with four 13ft radials spread out around the table. Things were going well with the activation when, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a young family passing by. The father and kids went straight to their car but the young mother stopped and looked at my antenna.

“Hello, what’s this? She inquired.

“It’s ham radio” I replied. That is usually sufficient to discourage further questions.

“What’s that?” She insisted.

“OMG; has she never heard of ham radio?”, I thought.

So I launched into an explanation of my equipment and my activity, trying not to be overly technical. She looked satisfied that I was probably not a secret agent or terrorist and no danger to her children.

As she began to step away she excitedly exclaimed: “That’s so cool!” which I mentally translated to: “I’ve no idea what you just said but that’s OK.” She was “none the wiser, but better informed”.

I probably could have explained things a little better, but I was unprepared. My mind was off in distant parts of the electromagical medium and finely tuned to the weak sounds of Morse Code peaking above the high levels of ionospheric noise.

I resolved that next time I would be prepared. So I wrote up an information sheet that I could print and offer to inquisitive visitors. I figure the genuinely interested inquirers will read the sheet and ask targeted questions that I will be happy to answer. Others, who just want to know what I’m doing – for whatever reason – will be discouraged by having to read a page full of verbiage, or will simply agree to take a copy of the sheet home to read.

Here is the full text of my handout:

AMATEUR RADIO STATION

Who Am I?
Thanks for stopping by today. My name is John. I am an amateur (“ham”) radio operator licensed by the Canadian federal government to operate a radio transmitter with the callsign VA3KOT. I obtained my license by studying for and passing 3 separate exams: Basic, Morse Code and Advanced. The exams cover technical, safety and regulatory aspects involved in the operation of a radio transmitter. I am also a registered volunteer with the Emergency Management department of Grey County, Ontario; ready and willing to provide radio communications backup in an emergency.

What is Ham Radio?
Ham radio is a very popular hobby all over the world. In fact, our hobby is not limited just to the Earth. The crew of the International Space Station are often licensed hams and frequently contact schools to speak to students from space using ham radio equipment on board the space station. Hams also have our own constellation of Earth-orbiting satellites through which we are able to freely communicate with each other.

We operate radio repeaters, often mounted on cellular phone towers to provide area-wide communications in support of community events (e.g. Terry Fox Run) and emergencies. Operation of radio equipment by a licensed ham while in a moving vehicle is exempt from Ontario’s distracted driving laws in recognition of our role in emergency communications preparedness.

What Am I Doing?
Today I am participating in an activity called “Parks On The Air” (POTA). My goal is to make at least 10 contacts with other hams anywhere in the world on the shortwave bands. I am using Morse Code which was used by Guglielmo Marconi in 1901 to send the first radio signals from Europe to Signal Hill in St John’s, Newfoundland. Morse Code is still very popular today among hams because it is a rugged and reliable way of communicating around the world even using very low power – as I am today.

Some aviation beacons still use Morse Code as a navigation guide for airline pilots!

Is It Safe?
Yes absolutely. Because I am using low power, at a low frequency, it is quite possibly safer than using a mobile phone held to the side of your head! Safe operation in a public space is very important so hams take great care to ensure there is no risk to pets, people or the environment from our activities.

Thank you for your interest.
If you would like to know more please visit the Radio Amateurs of Canada website at http://www.rac.ca.