Amateur radio: Definition

(a·mə·chər ′rād·ē′ō) (electronics) A radio used for two-way radio communications by private individuals as leisure-time activity. Also known as ham radio.

Amateur radio operators transmit over short-wave frequencies are called ham radio operators.

from Wikipedia

Amateur radio (also called ham radio) is the use of designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication. The term "amateur" is used to specify persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest, and to differentiate it from commercial broadcasting, public safety (such as police and fire) or professional two-way radio services (such as maritime, aviation, taxis, etc.).

Amateur radio operation is coordinated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and licensed by the individual national governments that regulate technical and operational characteristics of transmissions and issue individual stations with an identifying call sign. Prospective amateur operators are tested for their understanding of key concepts in electronics and the host government's radio regulations. Amateurs use a variety of voice, text, image and data communications modes and have access to frequency allocations throughout the RF spectrum to enable communication across a city, a region, a country, a continent or the whole world. An estimated two million people throughout the world are regularly involved with amateur radio.

How many of you have a ham radio? What did the test ask for you to obtain the licensing you must have to operate a ham radio. Feel free to provide some test taking pointers. Where do apply for the ham license? Is amateur radio important in case SHTF?

I've never messed with radio broadcasting very much, but it would be a good thing to have if all media communications went down.

the fcc doesnt give a woot about the ham frequency ranges. i kno people that don't have their licenses and use it all the time

Mapkar gave you the basics there. It's not that hard to look up. I wouldn't look at the tests so much as a "required thing to pass to get a license," but more as a learning opportunity. Scanning the HAM bands might be valuable in a SHTF emergency, but so would a scanner and a CB radio. The idea is, first, to be aware of what is happening in your area. That means having "ears" that can allow you to stetch a little further than the end of the driveway.

It can be a fun hobby in its own right, plus you might accidentally learn something.

KZ7B
Extra

I just bought a mobile hand held Yaesu VX 5 from my uncle. We will be getting a home base unit from him later on. He was certified, Extra Class. Me and my mate will begin studying for the Technicians license. There use to be 5 license classes, now there are just 3. As I understand, but still need to research, that morse code is no longer a requirement. So far we were able to pick up weather band very clearly, as opposed to the crank radio that barely picked it up. In the manual it explained the "statue of liberty" position, holding the unit above your head away from your body with an accessory mike. Also holding the unit horizontally will let the antenna pick up signals that it might not get in a vertical position. The VX 5 is able to pick up UHF and VHF for monitoring local emergency services. One really interesting text he sent us was theAARL Repeater directory. We were able to look up the repeater locations and input them and monitor local use traffic. I think one could find this online as well. That's how we found the weatherband frequency. My motivation for getting this was to monitor what kinds of things may be going on around us during severe weather, natural disaster, or SHTF scenario. The electricity goes out every winter, least bit of snow and ice, our lines go down. Being cut off from information can be unnerving. This way we know if more bad weather is headed our way. Or if local DES is mobilizing about. One of the nice things about this particular unit is it uses AA batteries as well as its rechargeable unit. So far in our resource box and BOB's this is the first thing that actually requires batteries. Was one of my rules, don't want to lug batteries or the expense of them. So we compromised for information needs verses an ongoing budget. So this is my take on Ham Radio. What do you think?

The VHF and UHF handhelds will get you local service. The HF transceivers will get you world wide when the propagation is right. Like I said, the dipole antenna is the easiest to put up in case of emergency. A nice tuner would help as well for multiband use.

Originally posted by Mapkar
However, you can start with either a handheld radio with some extra batteries and such, or you can start with a "mobile" radio that has a lot more power behind the output.

As well as batteries you can use small solar panels too. I have a handheld UHF radio that I can run using 3 small 1.5V solar panels in series.

You can also use solar panels to recharge rechargable batteries that you can use at night.

If you are a radio operator reading this I am asking for suggestions on time and frequency for a radio net for ATS members. The idea is to have an alternative method for sharing information in case the SHTF.

I would even consider using 11 meter (CB citizens band 29 Mhz) if we have some unlicensed people that want to participate. AM is limited to 5 watts or 12 watts if your radio has side band. The low power makes long distance communication a problem.

Using the ham frequencies 20 meters (14 Mhz) is great for long distances. It is a daytime band and sometimes you can not hear all participants. With a good net control operator it is possible to relay messages when needed.

40 meters (7 Mhz) is more of a late night band. It is no good for long distance during the day, but at night can cover the whole of the USA coast to coast.

73, Kawika

Weekly ATS net.

I have chosen a frequency based on the initials ATS and the phone keypad.

14.ATS 14.287 Mhz USB

Every Sunday Noon Pacific time. 2000 GMT

We will see if anyone shows up. Will also begin randomly monitoring this frequency as I have time to play radio.

K

Book
Marking

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I've got CB and the ability to boost output to about 50w ...

I have my immediate area covered but a Ham rig would be good for regional and international news ..

Good thought OP

THX

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