What is amateur radio?.

Although amateur radio exists world wide, this site deals primarily with amateur radio in the United States.

According to the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), amateur radio is defined as follows:

"A radiocommunication service for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigation carried out by amateurs, that is, duly authorized persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest."

According to the FCC, there are five basic principles of amateur radio, as follows:

1. "Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications."

2. "Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art."

3. "Encouragement and improvement of the Amateur Radio Service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art."

4. "Expansion of the existing reservoir within the Amateur Radio Service of trained operators, technicians and electronic experts."

5. "Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill."