Ham Radio primer

[Nikefan]

Thank you for posting this. I decided to learn about ham radios since I couldn't get in touch with my sister after the tornado went thought Tuscaloosa, Al and all the cell phones went down. I will look for a club in my area and look forward to talking with you on the radio.

[myakka]

Vinnie, morse code is no longer required.

I took my technician test last night. No problem.
go to www.hamexam.org to study for free. Your local emergency management should be able to connect you with the local ham club, and the standard test is $14.00 (They are allowed to charge more, but most don't.)
You can get a hand held for $60-160.00 I bought a small one to put in my bob. It is the mtc uv-x4. smaller than most cell phones, 2 watts.
I am about to buy a larger one that will be my main carry around. (I also have a couple 40& 50 watt mobiles that I got free from agency surplus.)

[RussFromSelmaAL]

Once upon a time, I was AB4DK, extra class ticket holder. After I got into trucking I didn't keep track of time, and let my license expire. I got mine back when you had to have Morse code, although I confess to cheating. I was a Morse operator in the military. hehehe!

I may get back into it someday, but for what it's worth, you may not want to transmit your callsign in a SHTF situation. If you're one of the people who aren't in "favor" during the bad times, you won't want to alert folks to your location. Kinda like using an ATM card or a cellphone that is linked in some way to your real name.

My own personal favourite was a Kenwood TS-430-S transceiver. It runs nicely off your 12 volt car system, and unplugging one little board lets you transmit and receive on the cb radio bands. Just make sure your radio has the AM narrow board installed. The dealer will know what you need.

It works very nicely as a general coverage receiver, too. Rule of thumb is, when the sun is high, search the high frequencies. When the sun is low or down, search lower frequencies.

Before you need it, get online and learn about amateur "nets". These folks call in and report about the weather and other stuff. In a SHTF situation, they'll probably report about community unrest as well...

[Pa.Bill]

I have the Kenwood TH-F6A and Kenwood TH-D72 A (about two weeks)
Slowly getting to understand how they work.
Also studying for the test.
Slowly.

~Over~
Bill------------------------------->

[survivalguy]

here is the site I used to get my ticket .... http://www.qrz.com/ht/ it's free and you can practice all day long if you wish too.

[Pa.Bill]

Thank you ........................looks good !!
testing attachments

[wbroz]

Ahhh thank you guys. Ive been looking around for info, practice tests and study guides. Wanting to get some hand held radios when out and about. Just curios, do you need the license to purchase equipment or just to transmit? Needing to know whats going on in your area and county for that matter during a crisis is important. Could effect major decisions in you group. Communication in a group while on the move is vital when separated. Don't know how you could be tracked without a license, or if anybody would care of not, in a SHTF situation by using them. Hand helds may not reach out very far but will contact somebody that is more informed than you are which is little to none with out communication. Besides a new hobby may be born.

[myakka]

By all the equipment you want, listen in anytime. But they are pretty strict about you not.keying up till you have your license number showing up on the fed website.

[Post Oakie]

One thing that really impresses me about ham radio is that there are almost no idiots using them. Most people are quick on their transmissions and follow the regulations, use common sense, and are respectful. When the tornado came through Joplin, MO last year, ham radio operators rode with emergency crews so that they could communicate. Seems different departments in different states use different frequencies and can't talk directly. It is easy to get hooked. Trying to learn Morse code now. Several great free downloads available.
KD0KHJ
73

[jeager]

WHAT?
I clicked the links and got oriental language of some sort.
And PORN site????
Really?
I took me almost 12 hours to get off those porn sites.
Ah................., I wasn't looking honest.

[Diesel]

what links?

[wcdustoff]

what links?

The post I had made, with links to the Ham Radio podcast. I removed the link from my post. And added this one back in.

http://myamateurradio.com/