Besides the military, no other group of broadcasters has a larger range of frequencies. A number of governments worldwide allow ham radios to plumb the highs and lows of the spectrum, because they provide an indispensable public service, Derx says. Amateur radio operators in Collin County function as spotters for tornadoes, for instance. When it is impossible to thread the maze of dilapidated phone systems in countries such as India or Chile, ham radio jocks can make contact with other operators almost instantaneously. The emergency room at HCA Medical Center of Piano maintains contacts with paramedics through an amateur radio operation.
Ham radio is, by law, a hobby occupation.
Federal law prohibits operators from taking money for their services. Because of this restriction, however, they are allowed wider use of frequency. Derx says governments also grant a greater freedom to amateur radio operators because they help to develop technology by pushing broadcast equipment to its limits. Before one may operate a radio, he or she must take a fairly rigorous test. The last time I sat in on one, there were three examiners and one examinee.