Still others prefer to communicate with other local hams or experiment with the transmission of text or pictures. Part of that fun is competing for achievement awards like those given for talking to hams in all 50 states, and those given for contracting over 100 counties. And when they aren't talking on the air, hams are frequently meeting their counterparts in person at local radio clubs or larger gatherings called hamfests. You will meet many people through amateur radio. There are hams from every walk of life and every age.
Amateurs do more than communicate for pleasure and relaxation.
In any civil emergency, where communications are disrupted, amateur radio operators are the first on the scene with trained people and reliable communications channels both locally and to remote locations. They work with the Red Cross, Disaster Services, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency as well as local health, welfare and safety agencies. Examples of recent events where hams have provided important services are the California earthquake and hurricane Hugo. Hams also provide communications for marathon's, road rallies, charity drives and similar civic activities. Amateur operators also work closely with weather bureaus to spot tornadoes.