5 11/14/2008 11/14/2008 186 Amateur radio is still alive and well, and coming into the 21st Century as a playground for the technically curious. In addition to the work hams do in disaster relief communications, there is a lot of place for experimentation and learning. Ham radio is pushing the envelope in digital voice communications, high-speed "Internet" over incredible distances, and providing a fertile playground for the technologically curious. Understanding our wireless world and how it works starts with an entry-level ham radio license: where you take it from there is up to you.. Growing up while living behind one of America's biggest amateur radio stores permanently damaged me somehow, but it did start me on a lifelong desire to learn about our world and the fascinating field of electronics and radio. Chris Sullivan 107 11/14/2008