drjmedulla, flickr CC Local amateur radio clubs hold 'Hamfests,' where operators can meet to share stories and equipment.

At a ham radio convention near St. Louis, the crowd swapping antenna parts and other equipment is mostly male and over 50.

But the hobby has also attracted 15-year-old Jonathan Dunn. He says Facebook and texting are fun, but making friends using a simple two-way radio is more rewarding.

"With ham radio you can talk to new people, all kinds of ages, races, and it's just amazing what a little radio can do," he says. "Because no matter where you're at, if you have the right stuff and the right power, you can talk to anyone."

Even though amateur radio is often more about the medium than the message, Jonathan's father Steve Dunn observes that all that polite chit-chat over the airwaves is still important, especially for a teenager. "If young people have the opportunity to communicate with a wide range of people, that instills a certain amount of confidence in their ability to carry on the lost art of small talk."

HAM Guy, Flickr Creative Commons Hams in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® volunteer their expertise and equipment to provide communications services when disaster strikes.

Hobby with a higher calling

But ham radio isn't just about casual conversation.

Even with all of today's digital technology, there is still a need for people to talk over long distances, without the help of wires or cell phone towers.