The power of ham radio (Washington State)

As a child, I remember being fascinated by telegraph communications, especially when I learned about Morse code, a secret language I wanted to learn.

Moving into adulthood, I learned this language of dots and dashes was used with the development of wireless or radio communications around the world. It was an intriguing feature of the drama of early war movies. I’m revealing my senior citizen status here, and with the development of new technologies, the world of amateur or ham radio operators slipped off my mental screen.

While the use of Morse code is less prevalent today, ham radio communications are certainly not a thing of the past. (For an interesting read, check out the etymology of the term “ham” for an amateur radio operator.) Amateur radio is a popular hobby as a way to talk to people around the world — without cell phones. The Boy Scouts offer a merit badge for getting a ham radio license when you turn 18 years old.

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