Calling All Hams!

[Jakeiscrazy]

Hey, any hams out there? Might be a fun hobby(as if I need another). I was just wondering about startup cost and were to course and age restrictions and so on.

[DavidG]

Jake,
Go to the ARRL web site and you can take the practice tests there and find out about testing sites and classes being given locally by licensed hams. I have my ham ticket but I don't operate at this time. The cost for doing this can be very inexpensive or extremely expensive, depending on what you want to get into as far as operating bands go. 2 meter is probably going to be the least expensive route, because you can operate with hand held radios. It all depends on how serious you want to get with it as is the case with any other hobby.

[Jakeiscrazy]

Thanks for the info David. 2 meter handheld is what I was looking at. Just something simple, fun, and maybe useful in an emergency.

[DavidG]

Jake,
Then all you need is a Technician license to operate on 2 meter and there is no age restriction.As I stated previously, go to the ARRL. web site and look to see where the courses are being offered in your area and take the practice tests often.Go for it bud. Maybe some day I'll catch you on the air waves.

[Jakeiscrazy]

I'll check it out, I'll have to see if the budget allows. If I do I'll post my call sign here.

[DavidG]

Jake, my call sign is KI4GAZ. Let me know if you get a radio and we'll have a q,so

[Jakeiscrazy]

Just checked for courses around me and found none within 50 miles. The good news is I found a self study youtube series on it so I'm doing that. Seems pretty simple to me. So when a class does appear I'll have no trouble with the test.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcjkFtTbPGM

[DavidG]

that'll work, good luck.

[gunderwood]

I've thought of HAMs being a good SHTF comms. Dave, can provide some info/thoughts on using it for that purpose?

[DavidG]

gunderwood,that is a very good idea and HAMs are in use world wide in emergency situations. It is required that in emergency situations that we lend our services as needed.As for SHTF comms. that would be left up to the individual operator and I think quite a few of us would be willing to do so. As for me being able to provide a lot of insight in this area, I can baffle you all with BS. but I wont as I wont with gun stuff either. I am a dabbler in most anything there is and not a expert at one.But I am willing to answer questions on the subject as well as I am able to .

[gunderwood]

gunderwood,that is a very good idea and HAMs are in use world wide in emergency situations. It is required that in emergency situations that we lend our services as needed.As for SHTF comms. that would be left up to the individual operator and I think quite a few of us would be willing to do so. As for me being able to provide a lot of insight in this area, I can baffle you all with BS. but I wont as I wont with gun stuff either. I am a dabbler in most anything there is and not a expert at one.But I am willing to answer questions on the subject as well as I am able to .

Mobile emergency comms, what classes/range/power requirements/resistance to jamming or environment. Encryption allowed? Assume mobile, but other than that, what class or area would you go towards for emergency comms.

[DavidG]

I'd just get the technician class. When I got mine you could get the tech. class without knowing Morse code, and for the Novice class or above you needed to know code. But I believe this has since changed and you probably don't need to know it for Novice either. The 2 meter hand held radios like Jake is talking are great for what you are talking about and depending on how close you are to a repeater tower you can key the repeater up and talk for long distances. If you are not close to a repeater then you could possibly do 2-10 miles depending on terrain.They are much stronger than the walkie talkies we all had as kids and there are versions that have multiple band so you aren't limited to just 2 meter. Icom makes some great stuff as does Yaesu and Kenwood. When I was a kid a neighbor of mine operated on 10 meter and we'd talk to people in the UK. but I doubt this would be achievable with a hand held 2 meter. You can even link up to your PC. and communicate thru it. There are guys that do what is known as moon bounce, which is basically directing your transmissions at the moon and they are reflected off of the moons face to other systems throughout the world . As I said previously, I'm no expert but if you get into it there are some very qualified operators out there that can answer your questions better than I. By the way you can send Morse Code with less power and to further locations that voice or modulation. So this might be of more interest to you than the hand held stuff.

[Unkn0wN]

Taken from the site: http://www.arrl.org/getting-your-technician-license

The FCC Technician License exam covers basic regulations, operating practices and electronics theory, with a focus on VHF and UHF applications. Morse code is not required for this license. With a Technician Class license, you will have all ham radio privileges above 30 MHz. These privileges include the very popular 2-meter band. Many Technician licensees enjoy using small (2 meter) hand-held radios to stay in touch with other hams in their area. Technicians may operate FM voice, digital packet (computers), television, single-sideband voice and several other interesting modes. You can even make international radio contacts via satellites, using relatively simple station equipment. Technician licensees now also have additional privileges on certain HF frequencies. Technicians may also operate on the 80, 40 and 15 meter bands using CW, and on the 10 meter band using CW, voice and digital modes.

[Jakeiscrazy]

Gunderwood, check about this video from Katrina, the untold roll of the Hams. There are emergency networks set up with mobile trailers and vans. I understand the role of the 2 meter handhelds is more or less in the field work, sending info back to the red cress vans and setups in the Red Cross. You would be shocked what you can hit with a handheld and separate antenna. Check out USNERDOC's video of him talking to the ISS with a handheld.



O and encryption is only allowed for RC planes or satellite control.

[Jakeiscrazy]

BTW I am looking at a Icom-V82, nice high power(7w), good price, and said to have good battery life. It also will call out your call sign for you and the others for you. Also a Diamond RH77CA antenna, There are claims for a 50 miles ranges(best case most likely).

[zephyp]

I've thought of HAMs being a good SHTF comms. Dave, can provide some info/thoughts on using it for that purpose?

HF has been the SHTF choice for quite some time. HF radios can be easily protected from EMP and they can push a signal quite a distance especially with high power amps. There are also a few older HF sets around that are pre-transistor so EMP isnt a big concern. There is still a MARS program sponsored by the government. Basically an agreement between a government sponsor and civilian HF radio operators. The civilians agree to provide a service in the event they are needed. Can get you some bennies if you're a member and worth investigating for those serious hobbyists. And, with the right gateway you can run IP over HF. I've done it before...

[sasquatch]

Definitely one of the things I want to get into.

[CCFan]

Been looking into this a bit myself - thanks for asking, Jake, and thanks for the info, David!

Here's an interesting video - making sat calls from a handheld...

http://vimeo.com/6868846

[Jakeiscrazy]

That'd very cool, the range really is amazing to me.

[Snazuolu]

my call is AI4WX. i use 2 and 6 meters while mobile and HF depends on conditions. but i tend to favor 20 and 40 meters. i made me an antenna that can be used either mobile or on the move and will cover everything from 2m to 20, maybe 40 if i'm lucky. never know when you'll need to talk to someone a distance rom you and 9/11 proved that the cell towers couldnt handle the influx of calls.