[mimiflynn]

To experiment in radio on certain frequencies (like the ones needed to talk to satellites, requires a license from your nation's government, as radio frequencies are a shared resource. Certain levels of licensing is for 'amateurs' and other licenses are for more industrial things, like TV and what is commonly referred to as FM or AM radio.

Communication with satellites in the US requires the highest level of amateur licensing called the Extra.

http://www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio

[DerekRobot]

Actually, you can talk to satellites[1] using a technician license, because they use VHF/UHF. A general or extra is required for using certain HF bands.

[1]http://www.arrl.org/getting-your-technician-license

[mimiflynn]

This is great news, although I feel I want to keep studying for the Extra for the ham cred that comes with it ;)

[vanderZwan]

> the Extra.

I'm now imagining the on-line radio amateur community poking fun at themselves when the recent slang interpretation of "extra" came along.