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What does ham mean?
The origin of the word "HAM" is not confirmed, but the most common belief is that it stands for three great radio scientists, Hertz (Heinrich Rudolf Hertz of Germany, who, in 1888 demonstrated the existence electromagnetic wave of longer wavelength, known as the Hertzian wave), Armstrong (who developed a reasonant oscillator circuit for radio frequency work) and Marconi (who made the first long distance radio contact).
While others have their own version; according to them during the earlier days of radio communication, government stepped in to conquer short-waves and allowed the radio amateurs to operate only on certain frequencies; thus the frequencies of amateur radio stations were sandwiched like a 'ham sandwich' and so amateur radio operator came to be called a 'ham'. Also the term 'ham radio' is said to be related with the transmission quality of Morse Code. Though we have mentioned that the origin of the term 'ham radio' as applied to the hobby are lost in time, still some speculate that when the young and inexperienced radio enthusiasts began to venture on air with crude spark transmitters based on vehicle ignition coils, their Morse code transmission must have been pretty poor and professionals dismissed them as 'ham fisted'!
There is a continuing debate on what the activities carried out by radio amateurs should be called. Some radio amateurs complain that the terms 'ham radio' is derogatory, and some even object to being called 'amateurs' on the ground that this may be taken to imply 'amateurish', but in fact nowadays amateur radio communication system is of more than the professional standard. Today, with most traffic sent by machine telegraphy or data communication, it is observed that there are fewer professional stations availing these facilities and Morse code heard on the amateur radio bands is of more than the professional standard.
Another speculation is that  the word "HAM" stands for " Help All Mankind" as reflected in its service towards people in distress during natural calamities, disasters and civil emergencies!
Source:
Wireless-Glimpses of Yesteryears  (ZERO BEAT published by the Society for the Promotion of Amateur Radio,P.O. Box-2437, Kannathanam Chambers, Cochin-682016 August, 1985)-by S. Ramamoorthy, VU2SRJ, formerly Director of  Visvesvariah Museum.
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