It used to be homebrew ham gear meant something simple ... and advances in software-defined radio techniques. [Charlie Morris] decided to build an SSB rig that incorporated these technologies ...

Ham radio is no different ... You made do with surplus gear or used equipment. Globalization has made radios much less expensive, while technological advances have made them vastly more capable.

If you get seriously interested in the hobby, you can buy a mountain of equipment from companies like Ham Radio Outlet. You can also often purchase good-quality used gear from hamfests ...

The annual conference of the Ham Radio University, which was formed in 1999, was held Saturday at LIU Post in Brookville.