Uprising: 90% of Virginia counties become gun ‘sanctuaries,' expanding movement to nine states
(www.washingtonexaminer.com)
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If you don’t have a ham radio, get one.
You don't need a license to listen. If you just want to listen to pretty much the entire radio spectrum you can pick up a Software Defined Radio (SDR). A good starter is the RTLSDR ~30$ but I recommend the RSP1A SDRPlay ~110$. You cannot transmit on low cost SDRs.
The talkies like the Baofengs UV8R are great local comms 2 meters / GMRS / FRS / 70 cm (about 5 miles) without access to a repeater unless you get good atmospheric "skip" or you key up on a repeater. Then there is HF Lower frequencies like 6-160 meters for WW comms. There are a lot of different modes, CW, Phone (voice), Digitial, etc. None of which are encrypted unless you have special hardware.
BTW, the licensing is super easy to get. Technical (2mtrs) or General (HF). Just go to hamstudy.org and go through the flash cards. All the questions are posted and it's just memorization. When I earned my General this past year, there were 2 16 yo girls who took their test for Technical and passed. Super Easy.
Good Luck! Molon Labe!
Licensed General Ham Operator.
Excellent info! 73's sir!
73 to you too!
U sound like my son. So we are pretty much outfitted like u say.
Thank you pede! Pretend you're talking to a complete noob/idiot (because you are)...if I have for instance somethign like an RSP1A and a PC, what else what I need, what kinds of antenna, etc?
Any "Start here, ham dummy" links you can point me to?
You are welcome 'Pede!
Best place to start is your local HAM clubs. Most of them love new people. It's a "dying art" in a lot of cases. You can also pick up the books Technician or General Study Guide. Or if you want to see the "encyclopedia" then pick up the latest ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications 2019.
For the antenna, well, that is no easy answer. The answer is "depends". Right now, I am using my SDR to pick up NOAA satellite imagery. So, I am using a V-Dipole that I homemade - most antennas are. For VHF (2 mtr) base station operations, I am using a J-pole in the attic. For VHF mobile ops, I am using a 1/4 wave whip for 2 meters. For VHF while walking with my baofeng, I bought a nice Nagoya 18". For HF, I either use a Carolina Windom or for field ops with my FT-891, I use a end fed half wave that my dad built for me with a 49:1 Unan.
If you want to get started fast with the SDR, then pick up a inexpensive 9:1 Balun with a long wire. That can pretty much pluck anything out of the air.
Good Luck and 73!
You can study to your hearts content online but you have to take the test in a proctored environment. Contacting the local Radio Club may be the best option. Most radio clubs offer testing. You can find local radio club just by using your favorite search engine. For instance, I just looked for Western Washington Ham Club and came up with this: http://n7cfo.com/amradio/hf/cls&ve.htm
Good Luck!