There are many facets and modes of Amateur radio to investigate, from the transmission of Morse code to bouncing radio beam off the lunar surface to talking with the international space station. Digital modes require very little power to travel great distances. They make use of a computer or computerized radio to translate the segmented audio signals into words and numbers, much like the old ticker tape did for the telegraph.
There is a whole world of Amateur radio contesting to explore. There are contests in every mode and discipline where Amateur radio operators compete to see how many contacts they can make in a certain period of time, say over a weekend.
Many ham operators transmit video or still images with their radio signals to people across the globe. Some like the more traditional form of communication in HAM radio parlance called Rag chewing—talking about anything and everything with ham friends around the world.
Be it experimental radio activities, or just plain meeting new friends; Amateur radio has something for everyone. One of the best reasons to join a club is to see what others are doing and using their help and expertise to do something new and exciting yourself in the world of radio communication.