Ham Radio Videos
• BBC News The very particular world of amateur radio
Added at 2013-12-10 06:42:19
In the face of the internet, mobiles and instant messaging you might expect the hobby of amateur radio - or HAM radio as it's also known - to be on the decline.
But in the last three years, the number of amateur radio licences has risen by over 8,000 - with 80,000 currently issued in the UK.
Using designated frequencies, amateur radio enthusiasts communicate with people over the world. Many prefer the relaxed approach of 'rag chewing' or chatting at length with people, who often become friends - while at the opposite end of the spectrum 'contesters' compete to make as many contacts as possible in a given period.
The hobby is also a public service, with Raynet (in the UK) stepping in during emergencies when regular communication networks fail. Amateur radio enthusiasts are currently contributing to relief efforts following Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.