For any of you radio pedes out there.
We are about to get to a time where comms are important. I've been deep in cybersec for 25 years so I understand how to watch network traffic, monitor user activity and even hack WEP and WPA2 networks.
This skillset isn't going to do me much good in the coming era. I need to get into radios.
Is it worth my time to get a Baofeng UV-5R to monitor Ham communications? Will anything be coordinated there or is that like expecting cell formation and planning to occur on Freenode or something?
I'm not sure I have the $$$ to invest in tracking Police, fire and getting a license for ham... is monitoring ham a good start?
Getting a ham license is cheap. The technician test is easy with a few hours of study if you already have a technical background.
The Baofeng UV-5Rs are pretty capable for the price. Only downside is they are Chinese made.
I have a couple for monitoring a local repeater, and FRS frequencies.
yeah I saw where FRS is only $75 for a license... if I don't want to test.
But back to my question... is it worth getting a radio to monitor Ham, will that be used for anything if there is a conflict?
Definitely, I recommend getting a radio and learning how to use it.
People will be using them if other comms fail.
thanks! Good straight answer.
I've got a police scanner on pretty much all the time for the past 15 years where i live. Depending on where you live it's useful but some counties have encrypted traffic. It's like real time news since you know what the ghetto bird if flying around for etc.
it looks like I can see what radios/band services are using in my area on radioreference.com
I sure would like to get a police scanner but it looks like a $400-$600 entry fee... not to mention the PD may just change their equipment out.
A lot of the bigger agencies use encrypted trunking systems - especially in the DMV region.
You sound like you have a lot of tech. If you aren't a ham guy then what are you? You just wanting intel/recon?
I can understand that and maybe that's how I'll enter it... I like intel in digital network comms now. I could see that being useful.
I plan to be in the rabbit hole. I fully plan to get a hack RF one eventually but obviously there are some things I need to learn before I get it.
I thought the uv-5r was analog?
Check out “software defined radio” aka SDR. Receive only, PC-based. Cheapest way to monitor.
I've been looking at the RTL-SDR.
Might go that route, very low entry cost.
Don’t cheap out on the antenna. Antennas are everything to a radio. RTL makes a good unit.
Who knows if amateur frequencies will be usable in any strife. Lotsa old hams out there that are fully blue pilled. The uv5r is a good choice for cost/performance and will get you started.
They're blue pilled? What are they old union guys or something? I would have figured they'd be red-pilled.
I was figuring the scene would be like the phone phreakers of the 90s?
And for everybody who says the UV-5R can't transmit without a license... I know, but who is going to give a shit if we are in a war. Plus I'll be mobile so they won't be able to triangulate me
IDK why they won't question anything, I've been licensed since '86 and was pilled around '93 by Mena and Barry Seal. I keep it technical cause most don't want to hear they've been living and supporting a lie.
I second your sentiment. My father has been a Ham for 50+ years and borders on being a commie.
At least I’ll have some new gear when the time comes to throw him from the chopper.
Made in China
yeah fuck chang....
Does Uniden make a similar handheld ham radio?
They make marine radios but I’m not sure of how that works as far as the frequencies you want, etc.