so with all the recent talk of possible civil unrest within the next week or so, i thought that informing the masses about ham radio would be the responsible american thing to do, and get ahead of this scenario before it happens.
if there's one important thing you all should know about ham radio, it's that there are a lot of rules you have to follow. so here's one right off the bat; if you aren't licensed DO NOT transmit, it is a FCC violation and you will be fined. with many people going out and buying a cheapo Baofeng (remember China is ASSHOE) radio off of amazon, it is critical that you understand that licensed ham operators study, pay to take a test, and then have to pass that test JUST to obtain a license, its not just rude to operate w/o a callsign, it's also illegal.
i will attach some important links at the bottom of this thread, but if there's two important frequencies you should listen on, it would be 146.520 (VHF) and/or 446.000 (UHF). those are the national calling frequencies for vhf/uhf dual band HT (portable hand-held ham radios). consider those frequencies to be like a "lobby" where you initiate conversations or "QSOs", and then move over to another station (aka QSY). it is very useful to monitor those two frequencies to keep up to date on what is happening in your general area. just remember not to transmit.
now you might be asking yourself, what radio should i get? well, most people whether they like to admit it or not usually buy a Baofeng for their first radio. they are like $40 on amazon, and you used to be able to get it in 2 days (so much for Prime eh?) however, due to market competition, i simply cannot recommend a baofeng to someone anymore when Yaesu makes an entry-level HT (handheld transceiver) that is just a few bucks more, and boy is the quality level much better. again, links on the bottom.
if you live anywhere near a HRO store you should buy from there IN-PERSON ASAP. support them directly, dont buy from amazon if you can help it. also, you should consider learning CW (morse code). there's a great app for android (and i think iOS) called "MorseMania", its great fun and addicting!! plus it may come in handy some day!
i will keep this post short for now, but i will add more later. below are links for the ARRL band plan, study it. there's also a great study guide for people that really want to learn (they really explain it like a 5 year old). i also include recommended gear, and other useful links.
some important sites for hams to bookmark are: QSL, webSDR, repeaterbook, ham operator map, & HRO.
ham practice exam/study guide *they also have android/iOS apps for mobile studying)
73 for now! (73 means goodbye) also, it is my birthday, so you better hit those updoots pedes! KAG 2020 LETS DRAIN THIS SWAMP ONCE AND FOR ALL!!
- daveywavey86 (cuz no way in hell am i giving my callsign out here :))
OTHER MAGA HAMS GET IN HERE AND CONTRIBUTE!!!! ALL HANDS ON DECK!
i understand that, but there is a "flow" to ham radio. when emergency communications are going on, there is a system for transmitting and receiving. ham radio is a half duplex system. only one person can talk at a time, the last thing we need when relaying important info is people screaming into a mic and not "taking a number" so to speak. there is a reason why there's rules is all im saying. you can't listen if you are talking. new hams need to do a LOT of listening. listen to how the conversations flow, how to break into a chat (hint: its not yelling BREAK!)
triaging, and all that fun stuff is important, and that is the point im trying to convey
What’s a bubble wrap radio?
Blister pack like midland FRS or similar
at that point, it would be beneficial to have certain other HF radios, not just those made for amateur radio.
I just want to say that the whole reason I got into HAM was because of 9/11. You get a national emergency and cell towers can and will get saturated. I was unable to make a call for almost the whole day and it really opened my eyes to the necessity for contingency comms. Cell towers can be given a QOS type of setup so that 80% goes to emergency contacts and 20% to the public, which would fill up in no time.
HAM radio has plenty of bandwidth for emergency nets to be conducted.
great point. never forget 9/11.
yes, CB is another great way to propagate information. but dont stop there, look into GMRS/FRS. GMRS requires a license, but FRS doesn't and you can buy them at most sports stores (they are like midland/uniden walkie talkies basically)
FRS i believe is limited to 2W AND they dont have user replaceable antennae, so its not really the same thing comparing it to a 5W ham HT with an aftermarket antenna w/ higher gain. but good for you, height is might, remember that. (higher altitude will propagate signal better)
thanks for the bday wishes and i agree with this post, have an updoot from OP :) all things considered, we should consider requesting that this thread get stickied.
im not aware of one. do you know one? i'd love to tune in :)
If you want to set one up... we can start a Tango Delta Whiskey net and check our comms. DM me if that is of interest.
This sounds fun. Think I'll order one. got my Morse code ap too, but thinkmill just listen not transmit.
its definitely a lot of fun. there's a lot of rules, but thats just so we dont end up like CB. if you've ever listened to CB radio you'll understand why, its all swearing and screaming, and jamming, and sound effects.
Yeah I've got a CB and only found it useful when a group is out on the road or trail. Dont really care about other people's conversation about meeting up lol.
lol, you'd hate ham then, haha. you basically get three topics most of the time:
Dont forget weather and thwir current radio settings. Did I mention the weather?
i dont think you did ;) blame it on the QRM ;)
Hey, weather might be interesting. I hate reading accuweather spam bloat websites.
not really, considering theres 10 frequencies allocated to local weather in the 462MHz range..
some more tips:
*if you are licensed, dont forget to give your callsign every 10 mins *do NOT swear on the radio, it is unprofessional repeater owners can kick you off for it *ham radio only allows for one person to talk at a time, if two (or more) people try to talk at the same time, it is called "doubling" and only the person with the most power will break through and it will sound like crap, wait your turn. *you can only transmit unlicensed if it is an absolute emergency and there is no other method of communication available to you (aka you better be bleeding out with no LTE) *do NOT say "BREAK" on the air unless there is a life threatening emergency, it is not to be abused. *a 5W handheld radio can go ~50mi distance with no obstructions, and a high altitude. his is an estimate, many factors contribute to this
50 miles is a stretch unless you are standing on a mountain top. Your best bet is to get into a repeater.... then 50 miles is easily achievable.
I'm a ham op and have 70cm-80m capabilities right now.
to be fair, i did say and a HIGH altitude.... so cmon man (in joe biden voice)
also: i'm a licensed general myself, so we're both "putting in the work" lol
Height is might stands true
Just purchased a HAM and wanting to learn. Thanks for the post, I'll be sure to save it and start checking out some of the links.
Saved, thanks for the post
no problem brother, be safe out there.
Can't the corrupt IC trace HAM radio broadcasts?
many people record repeater activity. and most put it up on broadcastify.com
the general rule with ham radio is: "assume youre being recorded or listened to, because you most likely are". seriously, VM's will listen to traffic and make recordings and can send you messages in the mail regarding your behavior on the air. you can have your license pulled or even be fined.
so remember another tip: NEVER GIVE PERSONALLY ID'ing info about yourself on the air! pretend its like the internet without a vpn, just dont do it.
Ive been on the internet listening. ill start studying.
check out websdr.org to get a feel for how radio works. you dont even need to buy anything. if you like that, get one for yourself.
Thank you for posting this Pede! de NW2A.
We should set up a TDW net. Probably 20m given the conditions as of late.
or 3885 using AM XD
I wouldn't be surprised if those guys are pedes!
Bookmark ham
👍🏽
Thank you and congratulations on another successful full transit around your yellow sun.
is the sun a different color on your planet? haha thanks ;)i hope mods sticky this thread, it may be more and more important as the week goes on
Anyone interested.... Hamstudy.org will get you to the material for free. That is how I got my ham license
its already linked in the original post. thank you.
Ah, this post was partially cut off on my phone for some reason. Wall of text, but great info nonetheless!
no problem brother! be safe out there!
thank you and thank you! :)
a GMRS radio is powerful enough to talk that far. you do need a license for GMRS, but theres no test. all you do is pay a 70$ fee, and its good for 10 years, and it covers your whole family household too! so your kids can use it, your wife, etc..
HAM = pass a test, pay 15$ license lasts 10 years, only applies to you GMRS = $70 fee, no test, license lasts 10 years, covers entire household FRS = lower powered, no license required, basically walkie talkies you get at walmart.
yes, but many people just use a PO box. most hams arent fucking dicks though, so its usually not a problem, more of a live and let live kinda vibe...