Ham radio supplies consist of a number of pieces of equipment and components necessary for the use and maintenance of a ham shack, an area devoted to the setup and operation of a ham radio station. Supplies can include spare parts required for repair and upgrade of the ham radio, components needed to make or modify a ham radio antenna, and equipment to make using the transceiver easier and more comfortable to use. An assortment of cables and connectors to link equipment together are also required supplies.
A ham radio needs an antenna in order to transmit and receive messages. This antenna can be made from several materials, the most common ones fabricated from coxial cable that has been cut to a specific length to match the wavelength on which the radio will be transmitting and receiving. More sophisticated antennas are made of insulated metal tubing cut to specific lengths; this type often includes a number of crossmembers attached to the main antenna shaft.
Ham radio software is not vital to the effective operation of a radio transceiver. Its inclusion in an operator's ham radio supplies provides a means of easily programming a modern transceiver. It also enables the transmission and reception of text, data, and images without reliance on common communications infrastructure such as cell towers, landline telephones, and wireless Internet signals.
A ham radio repeater is a useful piece of equipment to have, but is not a usual piece of equipment found in ham radio supplies. A repeater receives a signal from one ham transceiver and relays it to another repeater, making it possible for a ham operator with an underpowered radio to send a message to a distant reception point. Repeaters are more often equipment owned and operated by ham radio clubs or emergency-services organization for the use of amateur radio operators.
If a ham radio operator spends a significant amount of time talking with other hams, a ham radio headset is a vital piece of equipment to have among ham radio supplies. When transmitting and receiving Morse code messages, a headset makes it easier to hear the dots and dashes transmitted. A special type of ham radio headset with noise-canceling capabilities enables an operator to block out background noise while talking on the radio.
A ham radio amplifier is not necessary for the operation of a ham station, but it will boost a weak radio signal. This makes it easier for other hams to receive transmissions. A collection of ham radio supplies owned by a more advanced operator who enjoys contacting distant stations will probably contain at least one amplifier.
Ham radio cords are more often referred to as cables. A variety of cables is a requirement in a good stock of ham radio supplies. They are used in linking pieces of equipment together, supplying electrical power to the transceiver and other components like antenna tuners and oscilloscopes, and in linking computers to compatible radio transceivers.
Ham radio supplies can also include a collection of tools such as screwdrivers, wire cutters and strippers, a soldering station, capacitors and resistors, and spools of wire. Ham radio operators also often own radio-related books and manuals that make up an integral part of their supplies.