Amateur Radio, also known as Ham radio, is a hobby which will allow you to talk to people of all walks of life all over the world using many different methods of communication, voice, Morse code, teletype, television, and more while sitting at home. During natural and man made disasters ham radio operators are frequently asked to fill in the gap of communications created by such events.

During fires, floods, hurricanes, bombings, and the likes many times ham radio operators will walk together with some of the most influential people associated with the rescue operations. Ham radio operators will also assist by providing crucial communications for community events such as parades. All such activities are done with no remunerations.

It is believed by some that ham radio is something of years gone by but there are more hams today than there ever has been in the past and the ranks are growing.

In the United States of America to operate a radio transmitter as an amateur radio operator a person must be issued a license by the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC). Other countries have their own administering organization and requirement so as far as this article is concerned the process described is limited to the United States but the process in other countries will be similar.

The first hurdle most people fear is the necessity to learn Morse code. The Morse code proficiency requirement was removed from the qualification requirements The Morse code proficiency demonstration test was removed from the qualification requirements on 02/23/2007. This means it is no longer necessary to learn Morse code to become a ham but hams are still permitted to operate using Morse code.

There are currently three classes of new Amateur Radio Licenses being issued by the FCC. The lowest level is the Technician class. The next level is the General Class level and finally the top level is the Extra Class.

The license is obtained by taking a written test administered by volunteer examiners. Each lower level grade test must be successfully passed before an applicant may take the next level exam. A small fee is charged to pay for administrative costs but none of that money goes directly to the examiners.

The test sessions are given in many towns and communities through out to the United States. The easiest way to find out when and where a test session will be held near you is to ask local ham radio operators. If you do not know any hams they can be found by asking people you know if they know a ham. Another way to find local hams is by looking for local ham clubs by going to http://www.arrl.org and click on "clubs" in the upper left hand area of the front page. When the new page comes up enter the required information and it will tell you of local clubs and how to make contact.

The complete information for the Technician Class test including all the questions for that test and the answers can be found at http://hamslife2.blogspot.com .