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Okay, I confess, I'm from VK (that's International Telecommunications Union and hence Amateur Radio license-area speak for Australia). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITU_prefix_-_amateur_and_experimental_stations/

My signature block has said this, subtly, for some years.

Well done, the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) http://www.wia.org.au/, the earliest-established Amateur Radio national organisation in the world, now in its 101st year.

And, where I am, the local radio club is 'bursting' with new folk, doing the Australian Foundation License http://www.wia.org.au/licenses/foundation/about/ and then having loads of fun on-air and in the many activities that are out there for Amateurs.

Okay, I confess, I'm from VK (that's International Telecommunications Union and hence Amateur Radio license-area speak for Australia). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITU_prefix_-_amateur_and_experimental_stations/

My signature block has said this, subtly, for some years.

Well done, the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) http://www.wia.org.au/, the earliest-established Amateur Radio national organisation in the world, now in its 101st year.

And, where I am, the local radio club is 'bursting' with new folk, doing the Australian Foundation License http://www.wia.org.au/licenses/foundation/about/ and then having loads of fun on-air and in the many activities that are out there for Amateurs.

not true, this is why the f call license was brought inn, because of the decline in hams. the numbers are starting to build back up. some thing else too look at http://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2009/20090402-1/index.php honestly i just hope they stay away from the ham bands, anD CB. because who are the ones that help out, when the phone networks go down, US ! VK3FAIL Adam

In addition to being power hungry, plasma TVs also give off a lot of radiation in the HF range, so no doubt a lot of HAMs would be glad to see them go.

  In a tiny box of electronics, with removable front panel for the dash
  (eg, ICOM IC-706 Mk.IIG, Kenwood TS-2000 or Yaesu FT-897D or similar) is: ...for the unlicenced:

  - monitor various VHF/UHF stations (emerg. services, etc.)

  - Shortwave receiver

  - AM [ & FM ] broadcast receiver ...if you become a licensed Amateur (a.k.a. Ham) Radio operator:

  - VHF/UHF comms with repeaters all over the country/world - US, Canada & beyond
      (each provides a way to meet-the-Locals, as you pass through / by each place)

  - Internet-link repeaters (if you'r within range of one, you can "dial-up" others
      - eg, in places you're headed for (even in different states & countries -or-
      maintain comms with folks back home, ie, if they have licenses & gear that can
      access a nearby IRLP-repeater)

  - "hunt" for satellites passing overhead (cf HeavensAbove.com's Amateur satellite
      page for times & freq's to watch, no matter where you are) - a great time[sink
      for the kids ;-)

      If you find one, use it as a repeater (for voice) or digipeater (for eMail)

  - with the right antenna & tuner, "hunt" on HF for other Hams around the world
      (like an open-ended Skype search, & chat in voice-mode)

  - even if you can't always talk with all the stations you'll hear, enjoy listening!
      (eg, new/unfamiliar accents, languages, local ideas, "on-air" tips for radio &
      lots of other issues)

  - [Kenwood TS-2000 only] connect a notebook (or smaller) computer to use Packet-
      Radio & possibly APRS (to get weathe or to locate other nearby stations - both
      home or mobile); contact satellites passing overhead or use them to store-and-
      forward your eMail, when there's no Internet cafe nearby

  - lots more... too many to list... Google is your friend here. ;-)

  Oh, it's gotten VERY EASY to get a first (Foundation Class) Amateur/Ham License

  In USA: http://arrl.org/

  In SE: http://www.ssa.se/

  In AU: http://www.wia.org.au/

  Enjoy the warmth of friendly, local voices... ready to offer travel tips...
  generally without wanting to fleece you as you pass through their town/city

The slowest plan is 256/64 and includes an astoundingly small 20MB of data

Here is an interview with the guy getting 40Db over S9 noise.

Exactly. Look at what the Wireless Institute of Australia has to say about some of this: Official complains and primers on interference.

That's why I am an Amateur Radio perator (Links for USA, Australia UK).

Every little bit of Amateur education in radio and electronics helps interest people in the bigger science too, and there are some great techniques and articles produced by Amateurs, e.g. Ian Purdie VK2TIP on all sorts of subjects; spread-spectrum, digital signal processing, and packet radio; etc.