I've been in Amateur Radio for 35 years. My recommendation is to get licenced first. DO NOT go buying equipment and getting on the air illegally or you won't be welcome, nor will anyone "communicate" with you. Do that first and I'll be more than happy to make suggestions.
A) how would anyone know if someone else is licensed or not?
Call sign. It can take anyone 30 seconds or less to find out if you're a fraud or not. Second, operating style and procedures. I've been in this hobby long enough that I can tell if someone is unlicensed within 5 minutes. 100% of them make it obvious but don't know they are.
B) really? You’d willingly be an unhelpful dick to someone because they haven’t gotten the government’s approval yet?
Yes I would. It's called self policing, which has been happening for at least the past 40 years....and largely the reason it hasn't become the cesspool like CB radio.
My point on B is that the answer should be, “here’s what you need to get started, license being #1.” Not “get a license, then we’ll talk.” That’s some nerdy gatekeeping assholery.
The problem with answering B can be complex. Regardless, you'll need a licence. It all depends on how someone wants to use Amateur Radio. How much effort they want to put in it and how much money they're willing to spend. The entry level licence only provides you certain frequency spectrum that typically is only used for point to point communications, or just regionally using repeaters. A cheap Chinese VHF/UHF handheld for those privledges can be had for as little as $50. If someone is interested in talking with others worldwide and point to point, you need to upgrade your licences class. This requires more technical know-how, studying and dedication. On top of that you need to consider space for antennas, and be willing to spend anywhere from $500 for the most basic of setups buying used equipment. Or up to $3K + for a moderate to higher end station.
There are no channels like on a CB radio. You get frequency spectrum, so if you get your Technician license you can broadcast on all Amateur Radio frequencies above 30 megahertz. Tech license is easy to get. There are also resources for your area and the country where you can find Repeaters, which are almost like channels since you always connect on the same frequency to it. Amateur radio is nice to have and I have used it while traveling the country, but depending on where you are there may not be much day-to-day action. When I lived in northern California I could hit a repeater and talk to someone almost any time of the day, now I live in Iowa and the action is scarce. THE resource for HAM radio info: http://www.arrl.org/getting-your-technician-license
Yes, there are many frequencies but comm traffic can get congested... there are some really amazing units that allow for messaging and talking on freqs allowing hundreds of users to communicate without hearing the others, very modern HAM band stuff, very high tech. Not everyone has one.... you can talk all around the world with a very simple antenna wire that you pull tight between 2 posts, the longer the better! Btw, you have to be licensed but I guess in an emergency it doesn’t matter but you need to have a 5 digit handle!
Here's what I know: Almost all the Radios you can get that are NOT encrypted ( FCC, police, military, etc won't let you have one that is encrypted without a permit) AND don't cost a fortune are probably going to be Chinese or Japanese..I have some Baofeng UV-82 and 8s..they are durable and range about the same as any and are pretty cheap, I'm pretty happy with them for what I paid. Don't choke too hard on being Chy-Nese, I have checked, even "made in America" like Motorola are chock full of Chy-Nese components, no shit, so, sorry, you're not gonna get away from it🤯. You can program them with presets if you have a PC, programming Usb cable(usually sold separate, but you might find a bundle) and download from a website called CHIRP. There are dedicated MURS (multi-use radio) channels that can be used by anyone without a license. You can scan and receive any channel, but higher channels require an FCC two way radio license to transmit (there is current chatter about scrapping this requirement). HOWEVER, in time of EMERGENCY, war, power outs, lost, civil disturbance, disaster, etc..you MAY USE ANY CHANNEL WITHOUT A LICENSE LEGALLY...Just be sure to keep good etiquette and flip to another channel for your crew that is not in use..shouldn't be hard there's 200+ ...Hope that helps...ps - I know a guy who's been using a Baofeng u-5 (I don't think they make them now) for about 10 years, works like new)...🐸🇺🇸
Oh man, this reminds me. HAM radio used to be THE way for activists to communicate in the pre-internet days. Man, it would be an awesome thing to bring back.
I had a license when I was a teenager, and built my own transceiver, but I have forgotten everything. Might need to brush up again and get a new license and buy a good powerful transceiver.
Is there a way to communicate via specific channels
They have specific frequency ranges designated for HAM radio. You have to ensure you dont step on each others' toes. But its free for all, and there is no encryption.
QRP FTW ;)
Even with the potential thousands of other TDW members who aren't Hams diluting the doxxing pool it's still risky, but a great idea!
BTW, PA to Israel on 20M SSB via QRP last year.
I've been in Amateur Radio for 35 years. My recommendation is to get licenced first. DO NOT go buying equipment and getting on the air illegally or you won't be welcome, nor will anyone "communicate" with you. Do that first and I'll be more than happy to make suggestions.
A) how would anyone know if someone else is licensed or not?
B) really? You’d willingly be an unhelpful dick to someone because they haven’t gotten the government’s approval yet?
My point on B is that the answer should be, “here’s what you need to get started, license being #1.” Not “get a license, then we’ll talk.” That’s some nerdy gatekeeping assholery.
The problem with answering B can be complex. Regardless, you'll need a licence. It all depends on how someone wants to use Amateur Radio. How much effort they want to put in it and how much money they're willing to spend. The entry level licence only provides you certain frequency spectrum that typically is only used for point to point communications, or just regionally using repeaters. A cheap Chinese VHF/UHF handheld for those privledges can be had for as little as $50. If someone is interested in talking with others worldwide and point to point, you need to upgrade your licences class. This requires more technical know-how, studying and dedication. On top of that you need to consider space for antennas, and be willing to spend anywhere from $500 for the most basic of setups buying used equipment. Or up to $3K + for a moderate to higher end station.
The same way air traffic controllers know they're talking to a new pilot
Get your Tech license, it's worth it. CB is often like a bunch of old drunks who hang out at the local dive and just sound like ignorant assholes.
If you don't have the desire to get your Amateur licence, then yes.
There are no channels like on a CB radio. You get frequency spectrum, so if you get your Technician license you can broadcast on all Amateur Radio frequencies above 30 megahertz. Tech license is easy to get. There are also resources for your area and the country where you can find Repeaters, which are almost like channels since you always connect on the same frequency to it. Amateur radio is nice to have and I have used it while traveling the country, but depending on where you are there may not be much day-to-day action. When I lived in northern California I could hit a repeater and talk to someone almost any time of the day, now I live in Iowa and the action is scarce. THE resource for HAM radio info: http://www.arrl.org/getting-your-technician-license
Get your cheap Chinese made radio now.
Or if you want better quality, Japanese. But much more expensive.
Either way, now.
Anyone ever remember all that discussion about Nellie Ohr, wife of Bruce Ohr having a ham radio license, it was very fishy.https://thefederalist.com/2018/03/02/fusion-gpss-anti-trump-researcher-avoid-surveillance-ham-radio-license/
Yes, there are many frequencies but comm traffic can get congested... there are some really amazing units that allow for messaging and talking on freqs allowing hundreds of users to communicate without hearing the others, very modern HAM band stuff, very high tech. Not everyone has one.... you can talk all around the world with a very simple antenna wire that you pull tight between 2 posts, the longer the better! Btw, you have to be licensed but I guess in an emergency it doesn’t matter but you need to have a 5 digit handle!
Here's what I know: Almost all the Radios you can get that are NOT encrypted ( FCC, police, military, etc won't let you have one that is encrypted without a permit) AND don't cost a fortune are probably going to be Chinese or Japanese..I have some Baofeng UV-82 and 8s..they are durable and range about the same as any and are pretty cheap, I'm pretty happy with them for what I paid. Don't choke too hard on being Chy-Nese, I have checked, even "made in America" like Motorola are chock full of Chy-Nese components, no shit, so, sorry, you're not gonna get away from it🤯. You can program them with presets if you have a PC, programming Usb cable(usually sold separate, but you might find a bundle) and download from a website called CHIRP. There are dedicated MURS (multi-use radio) channels that can be used by anyone without a license. You can scan and receive any channel, but higher channels require an FCC two way radio license to transmit (there is current chatter about scrapping this requirement). HOWEVER, in time of EMERGENCY, war, power outs, lost, civil disturbance, disaster, etc..you MAY USE ANY CHANNEL WITHOUT A LICENSE LEGALLY...Just be sure to keep good etiquette and flip to another channel for your crew that is not in use..shouldn't be hard there's 200+ ...Hope that helps...ps - I know a guy who's been using a Baofeng u-5 (I don't think they make them now) for about 10 years, works like new)...🐸🇺🇸
Oh man, this reminds me. HAM radio used to be THE way for activists to communicate in the pre-internet days. Man, it would be an awesome thing to bring back.
I had a license when I was a teenager, and built my own transceiver, but I have forgotten everything. Might need to brush up again and get a new license and buy a good powerful transceiver.
They have specific frequency ranges designated for HAM radio. You have to ensure you dont step on each others' toes. But its free for all, and there is no encryption.
I just ordered a programming cable for my baofeng's the other day. Haven't used them for much other than listening to talk radio when I'm camping.
Yeah, they're a bit janky for sure. One of the ones I bought had dead pixels on the screen after a few days of use.
I actually bought a full on Ham setup from a widow a few years back. It's also collecting dust... I really should be less lazy.
I pivoted this because I'm curious too.
Edit: meant to say upvoted.
https://www.yaesu.com - my favorite. You can listen on all frequencies but broadcast is dependent on license, see here: http://www.arrl.org/ham-radio-licenses