Age, profession, nationality, political and ethnic barriers are non-existent, thus promoting international friendship and understanding. Amateur radio can be enjoyed by young and old, male and female and even the most severely disabled can make friends around the world from their own home. Contacts may be made using speech or Morse code, between computers and even by television. Radio amateurs have built satellites for their own use. Because radio amateurs are permitted to use a wide range of frequencies and types of transmission, they must be qualified operators.
Training is available from radio clubs or technical colleges, depending on the qualification needed.
A Novice Licence scheme available in many countries provides an easy way to become a radio amateur. Amateur radio can be enjoyed in many different ways. It is also an international 'language' allowing contacts all over the world. RTTY and HF Digital Modes Using an old teleprinter and now their modern PCs, radio amateurs can communicate with each other by typing away at their keyboards. This is the only mode so far that enables amateur computers to form a Local Area Network and allows many to share a radio channel at the same time.