The intent of the net is to utilize amateur radio for a scheduled, once-per-month, on-air information and networking event to share, discuss, collaborate and learn from international sustainable living and community development initiatives. 

Topics include:

• local, regional, national and international sustainable development activities;

• permaculture (ecological) design projects & appropriate technology applications;
• ecovillage and ecocity development updates;
• peak / post-petroleum readiness plans;
  
• innovative food, water, energy and shelter systems for improved self-reliance;
• examples of empowering public processes and education programs;
• disaster preparedness / response efforts;
• and, of course, a mix of amateur radio "how to" topics, and more.
  

      Click globe for current UTC/GMT by country and major city.

With nominal investments in equipment and depending on license class (which defines privileges for access to bands and modes of transmission), ARO's commonly communicate with others around the world (and around their local communities) using voice, Morse code, and other modes of digital data including teletype, fax and slow-scan TV. 

Beautifully decentralized, adaptable and represented by millions of women and men worldwide, ham radio provides an affordable (basically free) communication alternative to purchased commercial and corporate communication systems -- it is not necessarily better; simply another resource option.

Equipment can be purchased new or used, or even made as "home brew" projects  -- and operated with alternative energy systems and wire antennas! Check QTH.com for classifieds and eHam.net for product reviews.

Depending on weather and various atmospheric conditions including time of day/night, I can "skip" (as the graphic below portrays) 1000's of miles and typically reach many parts of the world from my home in West Seattle, Washington -- in one evening recently, I made contacts with ARO's in Honshu, Japan; Kona, Hawaii; Portland, OR and Palmer, Alaska -- as well as with folks around Puget Sound.

And, ARO's do not "broadcast" to anonymous audiences (like FM radio stations) -- rather, they transmit "person-to-person" to other licensed ARO's as identified by their call signs.  So, AROs hold on-air educational and public service nets, discuss science, politics, weather and so on, but do not play music, conduct business, or other activities as a commercial broadcast station might.

Thus, amateur radio is an excellent choice for connecting people involved in or wanting to learn about sustainability topics.  Indeed, for a little historical context, read about how residents of The Farm in Summertown, TN used ham radio back in the '70s to connect and collaborate with others around the world.
 

BTW, the "amateur" in amateur radio should not imply second rate in any way.  The history, skills, services and technological developments of the volunteer amateur radio operator are often equal to those expected of paid professionals.

Unlike CB (Citizen's Band) radio, operating an amateur radio station requires varying levels of training and a license (issued by one's governmental telecommunication agency (i.e. FCC in U.S.).  In the US, there are three license levels or "classes" (Technician class, General class and Extra Class). These licenses are granted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  Testing is administered by Volunteer Examination Coordinators (fellow ARO's) and licenses are held for life with 10-year renewable terms.

After passing a license test, each amateur radio operator around the world is issued a license from their respective government agency, each with a unique call sign which includes the standard prefix of her/his country from which the license was issued. 

Here are two documents identifying the U.S. Amateur Radio Bands and International Call Sign Prefix Assignments. 

The rules for earning an Amateur Radio license vary depending on which country you live in.  The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) represents the interests of amateur radio to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). It is made up of 144 national amateur radio societies throughout the world and is recognized as the official voice of the Amateur Service.

Study guides are widely available, as are courses and workshops.  I recommend a few study guides here.

What next?

• Visit my Communication Systems page for more resources.

• Send me an email if you have questions or would like to talk about a topic for on-air discussion.

• Tune your radio to 14.285Mhz (+/-5Khz) at 0100 UTC (7:00pm PST) on the second saturday of every month. 

See you on the air!

Jonathan, KK7PW