Adding to our resume, HAM radio operator

Believe it or not, Ryan and I are adding yet another preparedness skill to our list. We are going to take a class to take some test to be certified as HAM radio operators. I don't even know what HAM radio operators do. I just know that anyone I've met who is a HAM radio operator is a bit odd, and they tend to put their "call" letters on their license plates. The call letter starts with a "K". that is really about all I know. Which is scary. And, the big question, WHY, WHY are we doing this? Well, its a Mormon thing... not really, but there was a class advertised for anyone interested, I had signed up Ryan, but evidently he felt this was a "couples" activity. I told him yes, but I draw the line at going to any weird HAM radio conventions, meetings, or campouts.
So, when all of you walk to my house during the next earthquake, flood, fire, natural disaster, we will have food, water, and now outside communication via our HAM radio. If you've read "THE HOST" by Stephenie Meyer (good book by the way)- its scary how many similarities are in the book between the storyline in that book and what I envision as our convent that forms when the world comes to an end.- except that book is about aliens taking over, which I guess could also qualify as a natural disaster......