Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Let's talk some HAM radio -- a new potential hobby of mine.
12/31/14 | Vanity

Posted on 12/31/2014 5:22:29 PM PST by Usagi_yo

So I've thought about ham radio as a hobby in the past. I read an article on the Government having an internet 'kill switch' but really I extrapolated that out further and think they have a 'communications kill switch'. Meaning internet and phone.

In the event that national, regional, coordination and communications goes out, and a distinctive impact on neighborhood coordination, but not so much communications (sneaker net, or short haul CB's):

What types of digital ham radio services and equipment are available to build a manned digital station -- meaning it accepts TCP/IP protocol even if it needed a protocol wrapper around it? And is maintained by a properly licensed Ham radio operator?

Any links, thoughts, experiences are welcome.


TOPICS: Astronomy; Computers/Internet; Conspiracy; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: digitalham; ham; radio
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121-129 next last
To: Jet Jaguar

Learn the art and go dark.


21 posted on 12/31/2014 5:42:44 PM PST by mylife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: teletech

Winlink....very interesting ....thanks for the link.


22 posted on 12/31/2014 5:49:20 PM PST by Squantos ( Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: BRL

Oscar Mike Golf... Bravo Bravo Quebec!

Over.


23 posted on 12/31/2014 5:49:21 PM PST by Rodamala
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Usagi_yo

Getting your license is fairly simple. You need to learn some basics, but those are easily done via classes (our group will start a series of classes in a few weeks... finishing with the testing) or you can learn on line like I did. ( hamtestonline.com ) My 10 year old son passed his test, and I as a 50+ year old mom got my license as well. Mr G has been a ham for over 50 years.

There are lots of reasons for having your license. Recently we had a snow emergency in town and all cell phones were tied up or down. One ham called his wife via radio to let her know he was OK, though hours stuck in traffic.

A neighboring state had an ice storm and the emergency manager assumed all was well in a hard hit county since he hadn’t heard from them. Some of our guys went up and found all phone lines and police radios were down because of the ice. They took pictures and sent them and text via winlink and got help.

We also arranged for help in a neighboring county during the big flood we had here in Tennessee. All their power was out, phone lines and emergency radios were down and they were cut off by water. There were 80 people in a shelter who needed help. We arranged for a ham to be at the shelter and set up communications with the red cross, who got the national guard on site.


24 posted on 12/31/2014 5:52:22 PM PST by Grammy (Save the earth... it's the only planet with chocolate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Usagi_yo

Mobile Unit


25 posted on 12/31/2014 5:53:02 PM PST by BlueDragon (just the facts, ma'am)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Squantos

I have a WINMOR Node running on 7.080 Mhz. on our 40 meter Amateur Band. I’m running the Trimode software but only have WINMOR up at this time. I hope to add Packet soon.


26 posted on 12/31/2014 5:53:27 PM PST by teletech (Say NO to RINOS!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar
Fully agree with getting your feet wet and then exploring what interests you. Got my license in 1958 and have been in and out of all various Ham activities over the years!

Back in the "Old Days" you had to be proficient in Morse Code but that is no longer required.

27 posted on 12/31/2014 5:55:20 PM PST by ExSES (the "bottom-line")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: teletech

That was my next question.....how does this compare to packet ....? Thanks for your time.


28 posted on 12/31/2014 5:56:56 PM PST by Squantos ( Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Usagi_yo
Check out mesh nets. Ham frequency bands overlap those used by wifi systems, but hams can modify and use higher power than allowed for normal wifi systems. Its also nice that the entry level Technician license grants access to these frequencies.

See Broadband-Hamnet

29 posted on 12/31/2014 5:58:21 PM PST by Database
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: doorgunner69

I know several hams who have antennas hidden in the attic or under their eaves. We have ours stretched between 2 very large trees (we live in the woods). Even if you know where to look it is hard to find.


30 posted on 12/31/2014 5:58:56 PM PST by Grammy (Save the earth... it's the only planet with chocolate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Grammy

The main reason to get a license is once you have it it is difficult to take way.


31 posted on 12/31/2014 6:07:02 PM PST by mylife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: Usagi_yo; mylife

I would get this magazine www.monitoringtimes.com aka Monitoring Times. It deals with many types of monitoring or radio communication. I used to subscribe to it a few years back and they had several good places for info like Ask Bob. The magazine is ran by a radio communications equipment retailer out of North Carolina. If I was starting out I would go buy a police scanner. That will allow you to monitor such things as Sky Warn. No license required to monitor. From there you can see how much time and money you want to invest in it.


32 posted on 12/31/2014 6:08:07 PM PST by cva66snipe ((Two Choices left for U.S. One Nation Under GOD or One Nation Under Judgment? Which one say ye?))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Usagi_yo

Bkmrk


33 posted on 12/31/2014 6:09:14 PM PST by RushIsMyTeddyBear (The White House is now known as "Casa Blanca".)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Squantos

WINMOR is a Soundcard Mode and Packet requires a Packet capable TNC (Terminal Node Controller). For WINMOR 500 or 1600, all you need is an interface between the radio and the computer. (I like Tigertronics Signalink www.tigertronics.com). You can also use your internal computer soundcard connected to an interface to handle audio to and from the radio and also the PTT (push to talk) function). With an interface you can operate MANY different digital modes. (I usually use RTTY or PSK-31).

If you need study material, go to www.arrl.org and there you will find information on Amateur Radio Clubs in your area. Many of these clubs have license classes open to anyone that wants to pass their exam and get into the hobby.)


34 posted on 12/31/2014 6:10:51 PM PST by teletech (Say NO to RINOS!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: cva66snipe

Sadly I think Monitoring Times and Grove Industry’s are no longer with us.

Great bunch of believers, but the money wasn’t there.


35 posted on 12/31/2014 6:11:29 PM PST by mylife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: Usagi_yo
I read an article on the Government having an internet 'kill switch' but really I extrapolated that out further and think they have a 'communications kill switch'. Meaning internet and phone.

I have seen and heard a few rumblings in recent months about this topic, along with the assertion that the way the system works and distributed makes a kill switch "impossble."

Any links on this topic would be greatly appreciated.
Also, remember the monster building (10+ acres?) suspected to be related to the NSA or some other spook secret function, and complex believed to be an isolated Federal facility in the middle of nowhere, Utah, I think.
Anyone else remember that?

36 posted on 12/31/2014 6:15:06 PM PST by publius911 (Formerly Publius6961)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mouser

Will take a look myself. Thanks.


37 posted on 12/31/2014 6:16:34 PM PST by wally_bert (There are no winners in a game of losers. I'm Tommy Joyce, welcome to the Oriental Lounge.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: teletech

Thanks .....added to my read file for work......hope you and yours have a safe, healthy and happy new year.....


38 posted on 12/31/2014 6:19:25 PM PST by Squantos ( Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: publius911

There is an old net adage in that you can’t censor the internet, it will just route around it. While in part truth, I would just like to have my opportunity of routing around it.


39 posted on 12/31/2014 6:20:20 PM PST by Usagi_yo (Coming events caste their shadow beforehand.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: teletech

Cool!


40 posted on 12/31/2014 6:22:04 PM PST by Kay Ludlow (Government actions ALWAYS have unintended consequences...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121-129 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson