Got a Baoefeng today and now have it programmed with... the fucking weather. That’s it. Police have all gone digital. Local Fire and EMS too. Wtf?
EDIT: I’m working on my license so I can talk to all the boomers out there but in the meantime it’s perfectly legal to LISTEN, but it’s crickets with everything being digital now.
I’m just confused as to how this would be of any help to me in SHTF.
Guess you might try training and a license?
10-4 good buddy
Amateur radio is for people that love radio. That's what it means. It means they learn about radio, practice about radio, build and operate radios and finally talk on radios.
It's a shame many people "sold" ham radio as a kind of magic talisman.
Knowing about radio is an important skill to learn but it isn't something you "do" out of a box.
So start learning Pede.
I am one of those people.
MeToo
Those HTs are for local amateur radio traffic through VHF and/or UHF repeaters, mostly. There are some interesting modifications out there if you look.
I recommend going to the ARRL website for an overview of what’s going on. In the meantime, you can monitor 146.55 MHz (read about that here https://radiofreeq.wordpress.com/2013/06/29/shtf-survivalist-radio-frequency-list/ ) Keep in mind, there isn’t a lot of traffic on ham radio unless you find a club repeater or you get a very expensive, complicated HF rig that will reach around the world on certain frequencies and atmospheric conditions.
His Baofeng can monitor GMRS and local land-mobile radio. Even in Megalopolis there's a lot of in-the-clear trunk systems and simplex traffic that can be monitored by a scanning radio.
OP: you're going to have to dig but there's a world of listening still available to you. Remember: encryption is a PITA and many agencies will end up "in the clear."
Also, the ancillary services are almost never encrypted because no one thinks about them. But trash needs to be moved, school buses still roll. Public Works have sewers to clear and on and on.
Also this answer is what I was looking for!
Mine will catch air traffic control, too!
This is the answer I was looking for! TY!
I hope you enjoy it!
Mine is on the way. Now I'm wondering if I will have enough time to figure out out. Guess it's time to get watching some videos
I may or may not be an engineer in real life and it's honestly not that difficult once you figure out the different bands. This Baofeng I have is good for FM radio (eat a dick Spotify!) and frequencies higher than CB (arguably the most important for local comms, IMO) which lives around 27Mhz. All my local law enforcement steppers are digital so we're about 20 years too late to be able to listen to them. Also, buy a programmer and download Chirp for free. and you don't have to mess with programming frequencies by thumb. Ewww.
I've spent $70 on way worse gear. :-)
Isn't it also a walkie talkie? That is what hubby and I are in the market for, is a good set of walkie talkies with other capabilities.
It is, but it does not include CB (citizens’ band), so most of the frequency ranges that allow transmission require a license. I think there is a Family band (FMRS) that doesn’t require a license, but you may also have to dial back your transmission wattage to comply.
Keep your expectations low to moderate regarding 2 way communication. These radios do best in flat areas, not in hills/mountains, and their simplex (person to person with no intervening repeater) range is definitely limited.
That being said, to this ham, I find the baofengs to be remarkably well equipped and useful. ESPECIALLY for the price range. As a point of comparison, go look at a Yaesu model and see what they cost.
Hubby and I don't need anything with spectacular range for what we are usually doing, and most of what we do involves clear line of sight, nothing oddball. Normally he is up a hill and I am down below, but not heavily forested areas or anything like that. I very much want to get HAM licensed and intend on doing so ASAP after we move, which will be happening as fast as I can manage it.
For the coming circumstances, I will be wanting to listen to things more than communicate anyway at least initially. From what I read in the specs there is an FRMS band, and while I am not the most tech savvy person around I have friends who can instruct me in its use as they own them and use them.
We are looking at the model with the longer antenna rather than the stubby one. Do you feel that is a good idea?
Regarding the antenna, the longer one is likely better, but you would really be working at the margins to spot the difference. Antennas are removable and (somewhat) interchangeable, so get short ones, too, and see what you think.
I highly recommend getting your amateur license - it’s a lot of fun and is great information to know. And wherever you live, you can find a network of fellow hams to speak with and to help with advice. The licenses are good for 10 years and can be renewed. You can easily study and pass the exam to get a Technician level license, which is all you need for handheld communications on VHF/UHF.
Also, look into an app called EchoLink. It’s a cell phone voice app that essentially puts you in touch with ham repeaters around the world. You have to have your license to use it, but it’s fun to chat with a guy driving home from work in Alaska sometimes.
Anyway, please let me know if I can be of any help as you get into it. We need more hams in the world!
I definitely want my amateur, in fact would want every license I could get lol. I love learning things and taking tests ;-). I am already nosing through the AARL site to familiarize myself with the process.
Is it hard to study for the tests alone, or even possible? Are classes required to take the test? While I can see the value of a class, we are dirt poor at the moment. I have no concerns regarding my ability to understand the material.
And I will definitely DM you and pepper you with questions lol. I have always wanted to get into HAM, and now is as good a time as any it would seem.
If you have a smartphone, you have access to police & fire radio traffic, as well as train communications. Go to Google Play Store & download an app for that. I used to have one & you can pick any city in the USA & listen to their stuff. I'm sorry but I don't remember the app name. It was real handy for me because I took the train to work 36 miles one way & if my train was late I could open their channel & listen to what the conductors were saying about their status. It's interesting as heck. Good luck!
All emergency services have moved to DMR trunking. It is far more resilient and adaptable than simplex fm/am/cw in the amateur radio bands.
Download HAM for dummies.