[Trot]

Not knowledgeable about ham radio, so my Q is:

Can a ham radio receive and transmit to other ham-mers in the same area, country, or on another continent?

[gundog]

Local ham clubs, if any, will have occasional field days. People gather, they throw up an antenna, and do ham stuff. If you get involved I it, you’ll likely meet someone that does shortwave. It can be really cheap to gets 2 meter setup in your car, and a handheld.

[CanvasDefender]

Get a book to learn about Ham Radio then take the practice test until you are ready. Keep the book after you pass the test as a reference book. The Tech test is very easy most people can pass it with a day or two of study.

ARRL Tech study book

Technician Practice Exam

[JoeRender]

Depends upon the band of frequencies the conditions, the gear and the power you are using.

Nice thing is they are making radios now that can transmit on all bands that people with a ham radio license can transmit on. And the radios are able to review short wave transmissions to boot.

[JoeRender]

You have to get a license first of course.

[Big Red Badger]

WATTS is the Game
And Repeaters!!!
Handhelds 5 watts,
Auto mounted 50 or more.
2 meter is most popular,
Wavelength.

[Right Wing Assault]

What short wave and Ham stations can I listen to to get news when everything is shut down?

There are no regular show stations. Below are rules about transmitting regular "news shows" or any "show". The short answer is, Don't.

There are pirate stations like Radio Caroline.

a href=http://www.arrl.org/news-gatherings-and-amateur-radio

If two hams are talking you can listen and talk to them if you do it properly.

Once you get your ticket, in these days don't wave around your call sign. For a year, I had a cool car license plate! I dropped it. Anyone can legally find your ID if they know how.

W-----, - 73's

[UnwashedPeasant]

Is this handheld type too limited?

This is a Yaesu FT-70D.

[MayflowerMadam]

My ex-BIL was president of the area ham radio club, and I used to type the tests he had to give. IIRC, the Federal government has some control in ham operation — FCC, probably. I think the Feds can cut off conservatives if they want to. Am not sure, though.

[MayflowerMadam]

In the ‘60s when I was in NY, we’d talk to a missionary friend of ours in Liberia, Africa — via ham, I think.

[VeniVidiVici]

Early 80s I sat in a ... ‘secure facility’ in Germany and caught a skip from a CB in Boston. Guy bitching about traffic. It was hilarious!

[who_would_fardels_bear]

The least expensive ham radios are from China and they have lots of bells and whistles. My nerdy friends who have gotten into ham all have Chinese radios because they consider themselves to be good consumers who get the most for the least.

BUT DO NOT BUY A CHINESE RADIO.

Spend more and get something that won't support our enemy and has less of a chance of having additional circuitry to send your communications to the PLA.

[blueplum]

It depends on your equipment and how tall your antenna is.

Bill Cooper (Behold a Pale Horse) started out with a small rig, reading Egyptian myths to his local audience and went from there.

[mjcMI]

Yes, yes, maybe.

Your reach will depend on frequency, power, and efficiency. Licensed amateur frequencies have demonstrated earth-moon ranges.

[OKSooner]

Thanks for posting this thread; it would appear there is overall interest in it.

One would add, interest in equipment emphatically NOT made in China, even if it costs more.

[Pollard]

Depends on the band and also sunspot activity. When the sun is active, you can get a signal half way around the world.

https://www.onallbands.com/the-sunspot-cycle-and-how-it-affects-ham-radio/

[CanvasDefender]

HF Frequency 3.995 Mhz (lower sideband) is a Liberty Net Wednesday and Saturday night at 2200 Eastern Time or 0300 UTC.