Posted on 12/03/2020 2:35:31 PM PST by ransomnote
We have no idea what kind of disruption might be headed our way.
Is it possible to share shortwave websites here or would that just point disrupters to locations to "take down."
A FReeper recently posted wishing to line up short-wave radio resources ahead of time.
FReepers/radioheads - can you offer advice, links? :)
There is one very serious issue with a plan involving “ham” operators. To be legal you must transmit your call sign with the transmission. The real name(s) of operators is listed as public information at the FCC and is available online. Only takes seconds to identify the operator and find their address.
stinging = stinking
I just got my General Amateur Radio license, like 2-3 weeks ago. I picked up a very nice, lightly used ICOM 7300 transceiver, but I don’t yet have a suitable antenna (it’s on its way, an off-center fed multi band antenna that I plan to set up in the back yard).
In the meantime, I’ve got about 30 feet of 14-gauge wire stretched around the room with the end “plugged” into the center conductor of the antenna jack on the back. I do NOT DARE to key up the mike, since it is nowhere near a matched impedance, but I am able to receive (sometimes noisy) generally within about 600 miles, and sometimes, across the country with one guy in Italy coming through pretty clear over the weekend. I just listen for now. 7 and 14 MHZ are really pretty good, a little on 3.5 too, but until I get a proper antenna installed, I don’t think I’m going to get anything excellent.
I’m watching this thread just to maybe become familiar with a few freeper-hams that might be lurking about.
Side question - does anybody know where on the dial, the ultra-conservative hams hang out?
“Scatter Or Suffocate”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio
"many amateur radio operators still enjoy using the CW mode—particularly on the shortwave bands and for experimental work"
Sounds like shortwave is a part of the ham bandwidth
Either in a thread or content you post to me here to put in a thread. My title shows my inexperience. I’d like you to be able to meet ‘n greet others with experience and organize information for FReepers.
Alot to ask, I know.
We alrady have a national organization (www.arrl.org) and each state has whats called ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services) that are trained and equipped to help already in place.
flr
bttt
A good question and a bunch of crap answers.
There are international shortwave broadcasting stations left, but most have abandoned SW in favor of internet streaming for news. What you can hear at any given time and locations is dependent on ionspheric conditions and other factors. The best way to find programming of interest is to use a database like this:
https://shortwaveschedule.com/
Then make your own notes for reference if the internet is unavailable.
Realtime information will be heard on the ham bands, with a few starting points that are active with nets every day. The best for long distance is 14.300 MHz USB which will have the Intercontinental, Maritime Mobile Service, and Pacific Seafarers Nets around the clock and will shift to emergency traffic. SATERN is the Salvation Army net operates during emergencies normally on 14.265 MHz, and the Hurricane Watch Net will be activated when weather conditions warrant using 14.325 and 7.268 Mhz. The EASTCARS neet on 7.255 and MIDCARS net on 7.258 operate for about 6 hours a day and give priority to mobile and portable stations and of course emergency traffic.
There will be local V/UHF repeaters in service but the coverage is limited to a 20-50 mile radius.
If the real question is where would a person tune on shortwave for news and information, it’s really impossible to say other than “tune around”. Hams have traditionally provided ad-hoc communications but they’re forbidden from broadcasting or commercial activities. Like most broadcast stations nowadays, shortwave transmitters are basically fed a stream of programming from a computer, but WWTW and WBCQ are two US-based shortwave broadcasters that serve the SWL market and would be the first place to try. Check their websites for times and frequencies as schedules vary around the year.
Finally, you don’t need an expensive radio. Even a < $50 SDR connected to a PC or laptop will hear everything there is to hear on shortwave. The bigger issue is the dearth of useful and interesting programming since this internet thingie came along.
ARES isn’t what were talking about here.
Long time ham here...
The radio has a dial. Most of what you will hear is chinese propaganda, the BBC, and Christian evangelists.
And a bunch of old guys talking about how well they can hear each other half way around the world.
Does it matter George. I got it from Ham Radio Outlet. But Gigaparts or dx engineering as well as universal radio all carry the radio. 1600 and change on sale
He might not be your favorite, but the last time I checked, Alex Jones was on shortwave. Around 5 megacycles AM [1], I believe.
[1] I said it that way for fun. I was definitely not “old” when I signed up here at FR, but I do remember when we used that term, when I was a small child. Yeah I was into megacycles, microfarads and megohms even then.
> bunch of old guys talking about how well they can hear each other half way around the world.
My standing joke around here on 2 meters is that all of the calls are guys talking about their antennas.
OK. What ARE we talking about here?
Get an antenna tuner and cross needle power/SWR meter. A noise bridge is helpful for initial no TX matching. Gigaparts or HRO are good sources.
I also have a Yaesu FT DX 3000 along with an Icom 7300.
I am not sure what is being asked here.
Amateur radio operators (hams) are active in many communities and are often called upon to provide communications in natural disasters where cell towers are down and power is out.
I have equipment for legal use on amateur radio frequencies, some of which allow worldwide communications by voice, Morse code and digital modes.
VHF ham frequencies are often used to provide emergency communications. The 2 meter band (roughly 144-146 Mhz) is clear-sounding but limited to line of sight. Repeaters are used and often linked to each other whereby signals can be bounced across much larger areas. These repeaters are often located on hills or mountains.
Many hams have generators to operate without a working power grid. I personally can transmit and receive by using a relatively small solar panel and battery arrangement. On the so-called “shortwave” amateur frequencies, I have communicated over thousands of miles using just a single, 12-volt battery recharged by a solar panel via a small, digital charge controller.
The antenna, matched to the chosen frequency, is the real secret to great results. There is a huge amount of information and practical experience out there to learn about antennas. They can be as simple as dipoles, cut to a specific frequency. These are just wires. You don’t necessarily have to buy expensive antennas or equipment.
In the past, hams built their own radios and antennas. Man hams still use very old tube radios to work the world with great results. Some do it with VERY LOW transmitter power (QRP). Morse code proficiency is no longer required to obtain a license but there are a huge number of old and young amateur radio people who prefer and LOVE Morse code and use it constantly.
Propagation (using bounced signals off the F layer of the ionosphere) is how hams can talk across the world.
Propagation is kind of hit and miss as conditions can vary based on sunspot activity. An active solar cycle charges the Earth’s ionosphere and allows some amazing long distance communication.
Many of us have communicated over vast distances. Tennessee to Antarctica. Arizona to New Zealand. These kinds of contacts are common.
You can’t guarantee you can talk to someone in a specific distant location at a specific time but the conditions can allow for some pretty amazing results.
Look where the nets aren’t. Usually on the lower end but also scattered about. I hear a round table discussion the is wide ranging from antenna theory to the latest political theory.
For me I shy away from the political content. I use ham radio as a hobby and escape from the day to day sludge of politics. That is me. Your enjoyment is yours
It’s funny because I really don’t hear much politics but go to Reddit and there are a lot of complaints about old farts talkie politics
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