What is Ham Radio?
Ham Radio, or amateur radio, is a scientific and technical hobby involving non-commercial communication over radio frequencies designated by the ITU. Licensed operators can talk across town, around the world, or even into space without relying on the internet or cell phones.
HF Propagation:
High Frequency (HF) radio waves (3–30 MHz) can travel long distances via ionospheric reflection. Propagation conditions depend heavily on solar activity, including sunspots, solar flares, and geomagnetic storms. The ionosphere acts like a mirror for certain frequencies, enabling global communication.
What is SDR?
Software Defined Radio (SDR) is the modern approach to radio design where functions traditionally carried out by hardware (mixers, filters, etc.) are performed via software. With an SDR and antenna, you can listen to and analyze radio signals across wide spectrums with just a computer.
Popular SDR Software: SDR# (Windows), GQRX (Linux/Mac), CubicSDR, GNU Radio.
Why Use Ham Radio Today?
In emergencies, ham radio operators provide critical communication when other systems fail. It is also a platform for experimentation, DX (long-distance contact), satellites, digital modes (FT8, PSK31), and international friendship.