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Ham radio, or amateur radio, refers to a loose radio network of over three million people around the world. Ham radio operators use two-way radios to communicate via voice or morse code. Unlike a CB radio operator, a "ham" has to be certified by the government. Each radio operator receives a distinct call sign. The FCC has designated a range of frequencies for amateur radio use. Roughly seven hundred thousand ham radio operators are licensed in the United States. Hams aren't allowed to launch any commercial ventures with their radios, or broadcast to the public at large. Apart from that,
the hams' world is wide open. You can talk to people around the world, help pass on information during a crisis, and even chat with your dead father. Well, everything except the last part, but the idea made a pretty good movie. Interesting fact -- the late King Hussein of Jordan was a ham radio buff (call sign JY1), and often shot the breeze with regular folks around the world.
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