Why radio amateurs are called "HAMS" (from Florida Skip Magazine - 1959) Have you ever wondered why radio amateurs are called "HAMS?" Well, it goes like this: The word "HAM" as applied to 1908 was the station CALL of the first amateur wireless stations operated by some amateurs of the Harvard Radio Club. read more
In the days of land line telegraphy (1800’s, well before radio), an operator with poor Morse Code skills was called a “ham”, which was carried forward into amateur radio work. This is documented in a number of histories. Compare the expression “ham fisted”. read more
" Well, it goes like this: The word "HAM" as applied to 1908 was the station CALL of the first amateur wireless stations operated by some amateurs of the Harvard Radio Club. read more