Ham radio — officially known as amateur radio — is a hobby and public service that lets licensed operators communicate with people across town, across the country, and around the world using radio frequencies. Unlike cell phones or the internet, ham radio doesn’t depend on any infrastructure that can go down. When storms knock out power and cell towers fail, ham radio operators are often the first to restore communications for their communities.

But ham radio is about much more than emergencies. It’s a hobby with something for everyone. Some operators enjoy casual conversations on local repeaters. Others bounce signals off the moon, communicate through satellites, or make contacts with stations on the other side of the globe using nothing but a wire antenna and a few watts of power. There are operators who build their own radios, experiment with digital modes, compete in on-air contests, or provide communications support for community events like marathons and parades. Whether you’re drawn to the technology, the community, or the challenge — there’s a place for you in ham radio.