That question was asked in another thread, sort of.. And I'd like to
submit an answer

What makes a real ham, as opposed to something else, is a willingness to
study and learn about the hobby, and to try new and different things.

For example.. After a whole lot of years doing the same thing.. I
upgraded my license, and my radio, and then I discovered new modes.

Soem may say it's making your own hardwere... Well, at one time I do
admit if you wanted to get on the air,, You had to home brew, but today
that is only an option (I do make SOME of my own stuff)

Some say it's things like Morse code.. but in fact that makes a
telegrapher, not a ham..And these days not even a telegrapher.

Some say it's ________ (you fill in the blank) but the fact is that
there is so much about ham radio that I can not put it in a post, or
even a series of posts.. It would take most of a book to list all the
things you can do with ham radio.. The name of that book: Well.. Usually
we ARRL members just call it "The Handbook" but the formal name is a bit
longer.