| A continual audio stream broadcast over the Internet is | | | | only on the air. |
| called a radio webcast. Radio webcasts come in all | | | | To find local ham radio clubs, do a simple search on |
| shapes and sizes. There are free radio webcasts and | | | | the Internet. The American Radio Relay League |
| there are radio webcasts for paid subscribers only. | | | | (ARRL) also has a directory of affiliated clubs on its |
| Radio webcasts can also be... | | | | website. Just enter your state, city, or zip code to find |
| The easiest way to get in touch with other ham radio | | | | a list of nearby ham radio clubs. Focus on general |
| operators in through a ham radio club. Ham radio clubs | | | | interest clubs and look for clubs that offer help to new |
| have been around as long as ham radio. The first | | | | hams. |
| clubs were just groups of like-minded experimenters | | | | If more than one ham radio club is available in your |
| who collaborated to build radios when the technology | | | | area, check out the meeting times for the clubs and |
| was raw and success by no means assured. | | | | choose the one that's the most convenient for you. If |
| Ham radio clubs are great resources for assistance | | | | you have special interests, see if any of the local clubs |
| and mentorship. As you get started in ham radio, you'll | | | | devote time to your area of interest. The best |
| find that you need a lot of basic questions answered. I | | | | alternative may be to just attend a few meetings at |
| recommend that you start by joining a general interest | | | | each club and see which one you like best. |
| ham radio club. If you can find one that emphasizes | | | | You'll quickly discover that the problem isn't finding |
| assistance to new hams so much the better. You'll find | | | | clubs but rather choosing the best ham radio club for |
| the road to enjoying ham radio a lot smoother in the | | | | you. Unless the club has a strong personal participation |
| company of others. | | | | aspect, such as a public service club, you can join as |
| Most ham radio operators belong to at least one ham | | | | many as you want just to find out about particular |
| radio club. Many belong to one general interest club | | | | aspects of ham radio. Most clubs have a newsletter |
| and two special interest clubs. Most local or regional | | | | and a website that give you a valuable window into |
| ham radio clubs have in-person meetings. Membership | | | | one of ham radio's many specialties. |
| is drawn largely from a single area. | | | | After you choose a general interest ham radio club, |
| Specialty ham radio clubs are focused on activities. | | | | show up for meetings and make a few friends and |
| Activities such as contesting, low-power operating, or | | | | start participating. You'll get as much out of the ham |
| amateur television may have a much wider | | | | radio club as you put into it so volunteer to set up |
| membership. Individual ham radio club chapters might | | | | before meetings and clean up afterward. You'll make |
| not hold in-person meetings. They may hold meetings | | | | friends that may last a lifetime. |