Talk locally
FM handhelds and mobile radios, used directly or through repeaters, cover a town, a county or a region. Weekly nets are the easiest place to make a first contact.
Talk worldwide
On HF a modest wire antenna and 100 watts reach other continents regularly. Every Technician has some HF privileges; General and Extra open most of it.
Use data and digital modes
FT8 completes contacts at signal levels you cannot hear. Winlink moves email over radio. DMR, D-STAR and Fusion link repeaters worldwide over the internet.
Work satellites — and the space station
Amateur satellites repeat signals from orbit; a handheld and a small directional antenna are enough. Crew members aboard the ISS make contacts and schedule calls with schools.
Serve your community
ARES, RACES and club emergency groups support agencies during drills and real incidents, and provide communications for parades, races and search efforts.
Chase, compete and explore
Contesting, DX and awards, and Parks on the Air and Summits on the Air turn the hobby into a game with scores, maps and certificates.
Build things
Antennas, amplifiers, filters, software-defined radios, mesh networks, weather-balloon trackers and Morse keys are all fair game — and legal to put on the air.