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.
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.