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 The Ham Radio Thread 
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Being that I'm getting a ton of questions about radios, and they don't really belong in the ENCRYPTED COMMS thread, I figured I'd put them here.

What is Ham Radio?

Ham radio, or amateur radio, is a license you get, allowing you to use a broad range of frequencies. It can facilitate simple things like being able to talk to others locally, all the way to talking around the world, with no infrastructure.

It also enables use of digital modes, GPS tracking, messaging, etc. all without the need for commercial backhaul/infrastructure (although some modes do use it).

There are a couple different levels, each allowing you access to different parts of the radio spectrum.

What Ham Radio isn't.....


Ham radio isn't for commercial purposes. It's not unlicensed, low power, like FRS, or MURS.

Ham radio won't replace your cellphone for daily needs, or be some magic wand that lets you talk to anyone, anywhere, at any time.



How do I get a ham radio license?


First, you practice for the test. The easiest is the tech license test. You get a multi choice quiz, and all the test questions are published, so you can easily study and easily pass.

You have 6 year olds, and 90 year olds, that pass this test.... There are some basic electrical knowledge questions, in addition to some legal questions.

You can learn about, and take practice tests at https://hamexam.org/ then find an online test at http://www.arrl.org/FindOnlineExam


How much does it cost?


Right now, usually nothing. The online tests may charge a couple bucks, depending on who you choose, but they're run by volunteers and the charges, if any, are usually only to offset costs. Expect to pay $10, or even nothing at all... There is an effort by the FCC to charge $35 to issue a license, that may come into play in about 90 days...You renew every 10 years.

As far as the equipment goes.. You can get started with a $25 baofeng radio (not the greatest, but they work), and you'll be able to communicate with other hams throughout the state. Your range depends on your antenna, your location,and your equipment. Part of the journey is testing out what works and what doesn't. Repeaters will extend your signal quite a bit. It's not unusual to be able to talk from Everett to Olympia on a repeater, using a handheld radio... Some repeaters are even linked through the internet, allowing you to have a conversation with people in other states, and even other countries..

--------------------

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Fri Jan 08, 2021 4:12 am
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Thanks Tweenie for starting this thread. I've been curious after the Boafeng thread. My co workers and I were thinking about getting them for emergency use but unsure if they'd work the 20-25 miles apart we live. Still reading and learning.


Fri Jan 08, 2021 6:04 am
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https://www.hamradio.com/

Don't open if you value your paycheck.

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Fri Jan 08, 2021 6:10 am
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mtnwkr wrote:
Thanks Tweenie for starting this thread. I've been curious after the Boafeng thread. My co workers and I were thinking about getting them for emergency use but unsure if they'd work the 20-25 miles apart we live. Still reading and learning.


Not portable to portable without a repeater, but there are a ton of free repeaters to use.

Mobile to mobile, 25 miles is pretty easy.

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Fri Jan 08, 2021 8:50 am
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Thank you also for starting this. Please put in your CHIRP info. Maybe we can combine threads......? This is a huge resource for the community.

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Fri Jan 08, 2021 9:15 am
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BadKarma wrote:
Thank you also for starting this. Please put in your CHIRP info. Maybe we can combine threads......? This is a huge resource for the community.


I don't have a CHIRP file set up yet.

I started this because the secure comms thread was getting regular radio stuff pushed into it, and I wanted to keep it separate, as they're 2 separate things, with a little overlap.

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Fri Jan 08, 2021 1:23 pm
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Just a note on personal security if you pursue a Ham Radio License.

Your call sign can be looked-up online, and it will list your name, and the address the license was mailed to.

Some people rent a box at a UPS store, or USPS, for a month or two, so that address is the one listed.


(Just food for thought; if TW doesn’t want this in the thread, feel free to delete)


Sat Jan 09, 2021 1:14 am
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NWGunner wrote:
Just a note on personal security if you pursue a Ham Radio License.

Your call sign can be looked-up online, and it will list your name, and the address the license was mailed to.

Some people rent a box at a UPS store, or USPS, for a month or two, so that address is the one listed.


(Just food for thought; if TW doesn’t want this in the thread, feel free to delete)


It was actually something I was going to mention, but forgot to... So, thanks for bringing it up.

IMO, with today's easy access to information, I wouldn't have ANYTHING going to your house. PO boxes are inexpensive.

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Sat Jan 09, 2021 1:17 am
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Ham radio also allows 2 very critical things, in a situation where commercial infrastructure is down.


Packet, and APRS.

Both allow real time transmission of data, and text, across large areas, without the need for commercial infrastructure.

Some radios have the capability built in..

BUT, even the shitty baofeng, when hooked up to a laptop, or even a cellphone with the proper adapter, can be used to access these modes..

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Sat Jan 09, 2021 4:47 pm
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NWGunner wrote:
Just a note on personal security if you pursue a Ham Radio License.

Your call sign can be looked-up online, and it will list your name, and the address the license was mailed to.

Some people rent a box at a UPS store, or USPS, for a month or two, so that address is the one listed.


(Just food for thought; if TW doesn’t want this in the thread, feel free to delete)





I was just doing some studying and keeping your address up to date was a question on the test. Am I not understanding something here with your advise?

"47 C.F.R Section 97.21 requires you to file timely for an update of the license as necessary to show your correct mailing address, name, club name, license trustee or custodian name. Revocation of your station license or suspension of your operator license may result when correspondence from the FCC is returned as undeliverable because you failed to provide the correct mailing address."


Sat Jan 09, 2021 6:51 pm
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mtnwkr wrote:
NWGunner wrote:
Just a note on personal security if you pursue a Ham Radio License.

Your call sign can be looked-up online, and it will list your name, and the address the license was mailed to.

Some people rent a box at a UPS store, or USPS, for a month or two, so that address is the one listed.


(Just food for thought; if TW doesn’t want this in the thread, feel free to delete)





I was just doing some studying and keeping your address up to date was a question on the test. Am I not understanding something here with your advise?

"47 C.F.R Section 97.21 requires you to file timely for an update of the license as necessary to show your correct mailing address, name, club name, license trustee or custodian name. Revocation of your station license or suspension of your operator license may result when correspondence from the FCC is returned as undeliverable because you failed to provide the correct mailing address."


You need to have a valid mailing address at all times.

That's all it's saying.

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Sat Jan 09, 2021 7:22 pm
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so what's the next level (or two) radio up from UV-5R? >$100?


Tue Jan 19, 2021 11:01 am
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I’d say the next step up is a Yaesu FT-65R or FT-4XR. I got the former new on sale for $80, currently going for $90 on hamradio.com. Much better than the Wouxuns and Baofengs but shares charger dock and antenna port. Despite what some online reviewers say, they are not simply rebadged Baofengs.

New production dual band analog only ham handhelds are quickly disappearing from the market, but there are a lot of great used options around $200-$300.

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Tue Jan 19, 2021 11:55 am
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Another choice around 80 + 20-30 for an antenna you need to place on a metal surface (1/4 wave ground plane antenna) is a cheap mobile like a KT-8900 that will easily put out 3-6x the power of the Baofengs, but requires an external power 12v (usually 13.something optimal). This will probably be the biggest range increase for transmitting through repeaters in the lower end of the market.


Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:44 am
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Btech DMR-6X2 .... around $200 but supports dmr, encryption, aprs, and even has a simplex repeater built in.

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Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:56 am
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