Being a radio amateur is a useful and rewarding experience that connects you with other hams in Al Bahr, and the other six million hams locally and around the world in a way no other form of communication even comes close.

The term "amateur" is not a reflection on the skills of the participants, which are often quite advanced; rather, "amateur" indicates that amateur radio communications are not allowed to be made for commercial or money-making purposes.

The emergency communication capabilities of ham radio receive little attention, but ham’s reliability and responsibility are depended upon by law enforcement and civil emergency response agencies locally,  throughout the nation and around the world.  Many of the members of  Al Bahr RADOPS serve with one or more established emergency communication organizations, and it’s this reliable emergency communications capability that directs the Federal Communications Commission to regulate, license and assign call signs to ham radio stations in the United States.

Passing a multiple choice test, administered by local hams, allows the FCC to issue you your own personal station license and call letters, just as used by the AM, FM and TV stations with which you are familiar.  Study guides, with all the questions and answers from which the test is composed, are available locally.  There is no longer a Morse code test required,  (Whew!)  although, many hams still use Morse code to communicate, and it often allows communication when voice transmission is very difficult due to atmospheric conditions.

Imagine, if you will,  the ability, from the comfort of your home, to hold meaningful round table, cracker barrel conversations, called “QSOs”, with individuals and groups of individuals on other continents, in other countries, and within your own city, state or country.  Hams do this every day.  And, it’s not hit or miss.  There are organized “nets” that meet on a particular frequency and at a given time.  There’s a Masonic net that meets daily and brings together Masonic hams from around the country and the world.  Your own Al Bahr RADOPS has a net that meets “on the air” weekly on Tuesday evenings.  The “Baja net” meets daily and provides a round table for conversation and the sharing of information for those in the yachting community, wherever they may be, afloat or ashore.  There are “nets” for just about every group and topic you can imagine. 

To join Al Bahr RADOPS, or find out how to become a licensed ham, and receive your own FCC station call letters, please click on the "Contact Us" tab, and get hold of one of the officers (using the expensive and horribly limited ability of your old fashioned, 19th century telephone). 

We'll be listening for your call.