Amateur radio call signs are in the international series and normally consist of a one, two or three character prefix, a number (which may be used to denote a geographical area, identify the call sign as belonging to the amateur service, or identify a licensee as a visitor or temporary resident), and a 1, 2, or 3 character suffix. The number following the prefix is normally a single number (0 to 9).

Amateur radio, often called ham radio, is both a hobby and a service in which participants, called “hams”, use various types of radio communications equipment to communicate with other radio amateurs for public services, recreation and self-training. Amateur radio operation is licensed by an appropriate government entity (for example, by the Federal Communications Commission in the United States) as coordinated through the International Telecommunication Union.

An estimated two million people throughout the world are regularly involved with amateur radio.

The term “amateur” does not imply a lack of skill or quality, but rather that the amateur radio operator is not paid for his efforts.

In 2007, Jacob Gillespie launched bpsk31.com, an online community resource for PSK31 operators.

PSK31 or “Phase Shift Keying, 31 Baud” is a digital radio modulation mode, used to conduct real-time keyboard-to-keyboard informal text chat between amateur radio operators. Wikipedia Article

bpsk31.com also operates a PSK31 email newsletter covering contests, software reviews, news, and more.

Jacob’s radio rig setup:

• Yaesu FT-857D Transceiver
• G5RV Antenna
• MJF Tuner
• Tigertronics Signalink USB Soundcard Interface

JacobWG.com – Blog – Tweet Archive

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