Ham / Amateur Radio Ops?

CapeCoaler wrote: ↑

Sun. Mar. 29, 2020 2:19 pm

Don't tell him about patchin' phone calls...
There is a boatload one can do with ham radio...
Very useful in facilitating emergency services...

Correct me if I’m wrong, but on 9/11, I believe the HAM operators were the only emergency communication that was able to be used in the city for quite some time due to the land lines being totally wiped out.

I hate to say it but with this unfolding health crisis we could see base stations going from novelty to important rather quickly in the perfect storm.

Definitely NOT wrong Tyler!!!!!!!!!! In many crisis situations HAM operators have been the only link to reality!

CoalJockey wrote: ↑

Mon. Mar. 30, 2020 8:59 pm

Correct me if I’m wrong, but on 9/11, I believe the HAM operators were the only emergency communication that was able to be used in the city for quite some time due to the land lines being totally wiped out.

Not only was a lot of infrastructure damaged, the cellular networks and internet were totally overwhelmed. Here is a good article on it:

http://www.arrl.org/files/file/WTC.pdf

I had the books and morse code tapes way back when (late 80's) to try and get my tech license, but never applied for it. i know you dont need the morse code anymore. just never found any place around here to take a test.

WNY wrote: ↑

Tue. Mar. 31, 2020 5:57 pm

I had the books and morse code tapes way back when (late 80's) to try and get my tech license, but never applied for it. i know you dont need the morse code anymore. just never found any place around here to take a test.

I think these guys would be closest to you: https://www.aharc.org/

Here is a list of all the Western NY AARL affiliated clubs:

http://www.arrl.org/clubs/search/page:1/Location. ... ormat=html

Could you guys recommend a "decent" entry level radio? Is HAM the same as short wave? Or is that something different?

Most "shortwave radios" are intended to receive international broadcasts on HF frequencies. Ham radios can normally receive a much wider range of frequencies than what is traditionaly called "shortwave", and have the ability to transit on the frequencies reserved for ham radio.

Are you a looking for a base station to setup at home ?

Rob R. wrote: ↑

Tue. Mar. 31, 2020 9:34 pm

Are you a looking for a base station to setup at home ?

I've kicked around the idea for a while.. My uncle has been a ham operator for several years. Just lookin to see what the costs might entail at the moment

It'd be a good idea, especially where I live. If the internet and power goes down we have no communication here since the cell towers are too far. I have a generator for power if we were to lose both..

Two pages back I went over some of the costs. You can save a lot by going with used equipment, but that assumes it works as expected.

The frequencies you can access with a technician license are mostly line of sight, so it would be good to talk to some local guys and see what your options are before you start spending money. The lower frequencies you can access with a General class license are much more forgiving.

Cool, thank you Rob

Lee, HAM operators use limited & licensed bands where-as Short Wave will operate on ALL frequencies including HAM frequencies. Do your homework my friend.

Lightning wrote: ↑

Tue. Mar. 31, 2020 7:48 pm

Could you guys recommend a "decent" entry level radio? Is HAM the same as short wave? Or is that something different?

Lots of good info on Youtube as well. Everything from guys reviewing equipment, to a full class to prepare for the exams.

Here are a couple videos I found in a matter of seconds:

Thanks Rob R. Belmont is only 10-15 miles from me!! Springville would be next closest probably. then Jamestown.

WNY wrote: ↑

Fri. Apr. 03, 2020 6:18 pm

Thanks Rob R. Belmont is only 10-15 miles from me!! Springville would be next closest probably. then Jamestown.

There you go. See when they are having a meeting and go from there. A lot of clubs have books you can borrow to study for the exam, and some have classes. I used an app on my phone called "Ham Study" and found it very useful.

Suggestion - if you decide to get into this, don't just dip your toe in the water. Jump right in and plan on getting your General Class License right from the start. You can take multiple exams in the same session, and it is not much harder to prepare for the Technician & General than just the Technician exam. The reason I am suggesting this is because the General gives you a LOT more access to the HF bands, and that is where a lot of the activity is.

A lot of people get their Technician license, and buy a cheap hand-held radio just to try it out - many are not able to make any contacts, and quickly lose interest. Better equipment makes a big difference, and so does access to frequencies that don't depend on line of sight.

I used to run a mobile rig. Sold almost new in the box. Wished I'd have kept it. Kenwood TM-631A I believe it was. It was a 2M, 220hz dual band radio. I know where it's at and I may try to buy it back from the old boy.