I'm a licensed Ham Radio Operator, as are my father, mother and brother. The hobby for me is not an embarrassing hobby, it's actually a lot of fun. Highlights for me especially include, sending and receiving health and welfare traffic for loved ones and those serving overseas in the military, and serving as Disaster and Emergency Coordinator for the county.
BSF,
Thanks for your work. Back in the day, prior to email and cell/sat phone technology, when the turnaround time for a USPS letter was measured in weeks, the only other way the GIs had to make contact with loved ones was with the HAM MARS affiliates. Screw TIME.