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.
Ping.
How does one get a HAM radio license?
What are the appropriate topics for HAM radio?
your antenna will make you an obvious place of interest.
[ How does one get a HAM radio license? ]
No doubt the FCC is involved...
Your question is a rather tall order for a short pithy FR reply. Get a rig, play around, get back to us in a year or so. You won’t be getting your news via Olivia MFSK or jt65a anytime soon.
The short answer is you pass a test. Different tests for different levels of operator / license / bands allowed.
ARRL (http://www.arrl.org/getting-licensed) is the US association for amateur radio.
We were doing digital packets before people knew what PCs were.
You can run RTTY over a radio with simplicity
You have to first start talking like Niner - Whisky Tango Foxtrot Sierra
had to laugh, a fellow was here the other day and he says he does not even own a radio.
He pays to get all his stuff on a monitored pipe.
I’ve been in the hobby 58 years and still love it as much today as I did when I got my Novice License in 1957. (please though, DO NOT link Amateur Radio and CB because they ARE NOT the same). That said, there are many digital modes in Amateur Radio. (RTTY, PSK-31, Olivia, SSTV etc just to name a few). get your Technician license and get on VHF/UHF and then upgrade to General and then finally Extra Class. (I took all of my exams when morse code was still required but it hasn’t been required for quite a while now.) You might also investigate WINLINK (more info at www.winlink.org).
Good Luck and Happy New Year!
Do a club search at arrl.org. Most clubs have volunteer examiners, tutoring and exam sessions. If you want to know the ins and outs of emergency communications, join the local ARES or RACES group. And search out some conservative hams.
start by going to www.arrl.org
there you will find anything you need to know
google up lists of ham radio or amateur radio clubs find one near you and contact them a lot of them have classes
www.qrz.com has sample tests and a lot of info
good luck and have fun
W0OWE
Pong
Ditto to what SpaceBar said. Jump in and get wet, getting your first license, Technician, isn’t hard at all and you could get the second level, General, in the same test session with a little study. Then, you’re all set to experience the full breadth of the frequency spectrum and the various technologies that appear to interest you. Be aware that most of them have a steep learning curve and can have a steep acquisition cost curve, too. Used equipment can reduce that some but wanting to be on the leading edge usually means $$$$.
My antennas are all hidden in my attic space. Home built sleeve dipoles and a log periodic.
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