A percentage of people seem to be hard-wired or drawn to community service, leadership roles, and events in which they can serve their neighbors and fellow citizens. The Amateur "HAM" Radio Service offers a path to many rewarding public service opportunities.

Amateur Radio is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission, and one of the primary purposes for the existence of the Amateur Radio Service is "the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications."