The Amateur Radio Service, generally known as "Ham" Radio (nobody quite knows why!) is intended for people who are interested in the principles, operating techniques and applications of radio communications. It is called "Amateur" to distinguish it from commercial radio, as it is a non-commercial service
Over 400,000 radio amateurs are licensed in the USA, 21,000 in Canada, and another 1,000,000 around the world. In the USA and Canada, Amateur Radio is federally administered. Citizens Band radio, also regulated by the government, requires no technical skill or license examinations. Accordingly, CB operators are restricted to local communications and can use only 5 watts of power. Because ham radio operators have to pass exams to earn the federal license, they can use up to 1,500 watts of power and can communicate world-wide using telegraphy, voice, teleprinting, television, amateur satellites and facsimile on any of 21 different bands currently allocated to the amateur radio service.
Hams are unique -- they can travel to the far reaches of the earth and talk with other amateurs simply by turning on their equipment. H. G. Wells had his time machine -- Hams have their space machines! In this day and age when international peace and coexistence are so important, it is a means of making friends everywhere.
Probably the best known aspect of amateur radio in the public eye is its ability to provide life-saving emergency communications when normal means of contact are down. In accidents and disasters affecting the civil population, amateur radio is often the first contact with the outside world available to an affected area. Did you know that local amateur radio operators are used by the National Weather Service to report local weather conditions and any unusual weather activity?
The ORC draws its members from not only Ozaukee County but from all of the surrounding counties as well. The prime interest drawing the members together is Amateur Radio and community service. The diverse membership is comprised of all age groups as well as technical vocations. The Club operates radio repeaters on the 144, 220 and the 440 MHz bands. Family members are welcome and actively participate.
ORC publishes a monthly newsletter that is mailed to members and published on the Club web site. It contains information about the monthly meeting, what is happening in the amateur radio community and news about our members.
ORC holds free code and theory classes that will lead to an amateur radio license. The classes are six weeks long and are taught by members.
ORC holds meetings on the second Wednesday of each month at the Grafton Multipurpose Senior Center in Grafton, WI. Meetings start at 7:30 PM and non-members are always welcome.
A technical program is a usual part of the ORC monthly meeting. The subjects range from Ham Radio topics, to computer, to any thing that would be of interest to the members. The presentations may be formal or informal and always generate lively discussions.
The Ozaukee Radio Club participates annually in the ARRL sponsored Field Day Weekend. The object of Field Day is to set up and operate amateur radio stations using emergency power and temporary antennas. An emphasis is placed on developing skills to meet the challenge of emergency preparedness. Operators try to contact as many other amateurs radio stations as possible during this period and at the same time having fun with their families in the outdoor camping atmosphere of Field Day.