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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia :

Amateur radio, often called ham radio, is a hobby enjoyed by about six million people throughout the world. An amateur radio operator, also known as a ham or radio amateur, uses various types of radio equipment to communicate with other radio amateurs for public service, recreation and self-training.

Amateur radio operators have personal wireless communications with friends, family members, and even complete strangers, and often support their communities with emergency and disaster communications while increasing their personal knowledge of electronics and radio theory.

The legal term "amateur" in this sense is not a reflection on the skills of the participants, which are often quite advanced; it just indicates that the associated spectrum cannot be used for commercial or money-making purposes.