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I am a ham and a big fan of amateur radio. The skills and knowledge we pick up by preparing for the license exam and later by day to day use, research, and experimentation are things you won’t get anywhere else. However, i think there are some misconceptions out there about it.
VERY SHORT PRIMER:
Amateur radio is the wattage-limited transmission and reception of over-the-air radio communication for noncommercial use and is regulated by the federal government. Anyone can legally own amateur radio equipment receive amateur radio signals but a license is required for any sort of transmission.
Amateur radio users (hams) pass a license exam and are granted call letters by the FCC (who regulate the airwaves). They are granted access to segments of the radio spectrum based on the license level they receive (there are 3 levels). The licenses are good for 10 years but may be revoked for abuse or rule breaking. Large fines are also possible for flagrant or repeat violators.
Amateur radio is open only to specific frequency ranges so that it does not conflict with other band allocations like police/EMS/air traffic control, etc..
Amateur radio transmitters are required to identify themselves by call sign. Amateur radio is public and open. Any sort of coding, encryption or scrambling is not allowed.
Amateur radio use happens lover UHF/VHF or HF frequencies as allotted. UHF/VHF can be used mostly in local areas (either direct or “simplex” or via amplifying systems called repeaters) and are similar in sound quality to your basic FM radio. HF radio traffic can happen across several different frequency ranges, or “bands”, and can be used for local to global communication when atmospheric conditions permit. HF can sound faint, full of static, and pitchy, depending on conditions, or can at times be unavailable altogether over certain bands. Each band requires a matching antenna that is best mounted from a tower or roof top. On either VHF or HF, radio traffic is receivable by ALL. People talk over one another (usually not intentionally) and the only “traffic control” comes from established user customs and FCC rules.
VHF equipment can be cheap (less than 100 bucks to communicate on local repeaters or with nearby hams). HF equipment is more expensive. You might spend 1,000 bucks on a decent radio and another 500 or more on antennas, power supply to get on the air at all.
CB radio is not ham radio. Citizens’ Band has its own HF frequency range and does not require a license. Most small Motorola-type walkie talkies are Not ham radio, though some use frequencies on GMRS that require a license. They are very limited by range and terrain.
Hope that helps. Glad to answer any questions or take any corrections from more experienced hams out there.
People are interested in radio as a back up for emergencies. It’s a huge part of what the ham community does. When there are hurricanes, storms, black outs, etc., hams set up emergency operations and relay messages to and from families and friends who have lost their phones, cell, power.
Any idiots who think they are going to take over the world using walkie talkie technology from the last century are going to be sorely disappointed in the results.
I think it's wise. I started looking into it before all of this election madness. I'm not a doomsday prepper or conspiracy theorist, but I like the idea of being able to communicate with people without the internet overlords controlling everything. Also, I plan on doing a lot of hiking and national park visits and wouldn't mind having something to take with me into remote areas. I know they make GPS/Satellite phones now but i think it's a good thing to learn.
I am a ham. People on here always call out the FB1 but no one calls out the FC( . Who do you think is giving power to all these media companies. Why don't they want people to have encrypted radios?
I'm new to it, my dad started getting me into it. So, I probably shouldn't be a person leading the charge on this, but from the little I know I feel like it couldn't hurt us to all be able to communicate without cell phones and internet... but could be wrong.
Others on here have talked about it. I think most people just want FRS radios. There is a learning curve to being a ham. I keep a few extra cheap radios around just so I can pass them out in case of an emergency
I am a ham and a big fan of amateur radio. The skills and knowledge we pick up by preparing for the license exam and later by day to day use, research, and experimentation are things you won’t get anywhere else. However, i think there are some misconceptions out there about it.
VERY SHORT PRIMER:
Amateur radio is the wattage-limited transmission and reception of over-the-air radio communication for noncommercial use and is regulated by the federal government. Anyone can legally own amateur radio equipment receive amateur radio signals but a license is required for any sort of transmission.
Amateur radio users (hams) pass a license exam and are granted call letters by the FCC (who regulate the airwaves). They are granted access to segments of the radio spectrum based on the license level they receive (there are 3 levels). The licenses are good for 10 years but may be revoked for abuse or rule breaking. Large fines are also possible for flagrant or repeat violators.
Amateur radio is open only to specific frequency ranges so that it does not conflict with other band allocations like police/EMS/air traffic control, etc.. Amateur radio transmitters are required to identify themselves by call sign. Amateur radio is public and open. Any sort of coding, encryption or scrambling is not allowed.
Amateur radio use happens lover UHF/VHF or HF frequencies as allotted. UHF/VHF can be used mostly in local areas (either direct or “simplex” or via amplifying systems called repeaters) and are similar in sound quality to your basic FM radio. HF radio traffic can happen across several different frequency ranges, or “bands”, and can be used for local to global communication when atmospheric conditions permit. HF can sound faint, full of static, and pitchy, depending on conditions, or can at times be unavailable altogether over certain bands. Each band requires a matching antenna that is best mounted from a tower or roof top. On either VHF or HF, radio traffic is receivable by ALL. People talk over one another (usually not intentionally) and the only “traffic control” comes from established user customs and FCC rules.
VHF equipment can be cheap (less than 100 bucks to communicate on local repeaters or with nearby hams). HF equipment is more expensive. You might spend 1,000 bucks on a decent radio and another 500 or more on antennas, power supply to get on the air at all.
CB radio is not ham radio. Citizens’ Band has its own HF frequency range and does not require a license. Most small Motorola-type walkie talkies are Not ham radio, though some use frequencies on GMRS that require a license. They are very limited by range and terrain.
Hope that helps. Glad to answer any questions or take any corrections from more experienced hams out there.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/17/tech/fcc-radio-extremist-social-media-attack/index.html
Jeez.
People are interested in radio as a back up for emergencies. It’s a huge part of what the ham community does. When there are hurricanes, storms, black outs, etc., hams set up emergency operations and relay messages to and from families and friends who have lost their phones, cell, power.
Any idiots who think they are going to take over the world using walkie talkie technology from the last century are going to be sorely disappointed in the results.
Awesome info! I'm prepping right now for the ham test.
Enjoy! It really is a fun hobby!
Do you think a generator is important?
In general? Sure. Generators are never a bad idea.
Thank you 🙏🏽
No DC power, no comms.
can you explain why?
Because radios run on DC current.
Wise words.
Working on it
10-4 there are a lot of Lib 10-96 out there
I had to look up 10-96, haha
Just occurred to me a few minutes ago that we should start taking EMP threats seriously considering everything going on right now.
Really heating up. Got a postcard from a guy 4 states away (complete stranger) looking to buy up any used radio equipment. The writing is on the wall.
I think it's wise. I started looking into it before all of this election madness. I'm not a doomsday prepper or conspiracy theorist, but I like the idea of being able to communicate with people without the internet overlords controlling everything. Also, I plan on doing a lot of hiking and national park visits and wouldn't mind having something to take with me into remote areas. I know they make GPS/Satellite phones now but i think it's a good thing to learn.
I am a ham. People on here always call out the FB1 but no one calls out the FC( . Who do you think is giving power to all these media companies. Why don't they want people to have encrypted radios?
I'm new to it, my dad started getting me into it. So, I probably shouldn't be a person leading the charge on this, but from the little I know I feel like it couldn't hurt us to all be able to communicate without cell phones and internet... but could be wrong.
Others on here have talked about it. I think most people just want FRS radios. There is a learning curve to being a ham. I keep a few extra cheap radios around just so I can pass them out in case of an emergency
Yeah, maybe. I'm not doomsday prepping. I just think it's a useful skill to learn in general.