Mobile Unit
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.
Learn the art and go dark.
Winlink....very interesting ....thanks for the link.
Oscar Mike Golf... Bravo Bravo Quebec!
Over.
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.
Mobile Unit
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.
Back in the "Old Days" you had to be proficient in Morse Code but that is no longer required.
That was my next question.....how does this compare to packet ....? Thanks for your time.
See Broadband-Hamnet
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.
The main reason to get a license is once you have it it is difficult to take way.
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.
Bkmrk
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.)
Sadly I think Monitoring Times and Grove Industry’s are no longer with us.
Great bunch of believers, but the money wasn’t there.
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?
Will take a look myself. Thanks.
Thanks .....added to my read file for work......hope you and yours have a safe, healthy and happy new year.....
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.
Cool!
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