Posted on 03/08/2022 12:05:34 PM PST by devane617
Ok fellow Freepers. Drag out the junk box and dust of the Key and Dipole. I believe this is about to get nasty and communications in a cyberattack will be target one.
Get a radio. Listen. Don't transmit. My first was a Baofeng UV-82HP. It was $80. It's a dual band VHF/UHF radio. You can find UV-5 R versions for less.
Start studying for the Technician exam. It will let you transmit on that Baofeng. I use HamStudy.org. They make an app for the iPhone and Android. I also bought the books, but they're not necessary just to pass the exam. Take the test. You can find local clubs and testing locations on ARRL.org. Get involved with local hams. They're a great resource.
My recommendation some of the more experienced hams may disagree, but I got started by purchasing on Amazon Prime day a cheap handheld radio called the Baofeng UV-5R, you can still get them on Amazon, I saw one for $25, get it and learn about.
Look up local ham radio clubs in your area, usually they have frequencies listed for local repeaters.
A handheld has a range of 2-3 miles in most situations, a repeater takes a radio signal and repeats it over a much wider area, allowing you to communicate with a handheld over a much greater area.
Learn about the radio, learn about repeaters, and program the radio for your local repeaters, they’re likely to be a lot of them. Software exists that allows you to drop a bunch of configurations into your radio at one time.
Then listen to what others are doing.
If you are interested, go to the ARRL website and learn about testing in your area.
arrl.org is the site.
The test when I took it was $15
You can get a radio, study book, take the test and get what is known as a Technician License, which allows you to transmit to others on the handheld for under $100.
-PJ
Wow. Thanks for the information.
You couldn’t use GMRS, which doesn’t require a license. You’re too far.
The basic ham radio technician license isn’t hard to study for and pass. But your folks would have to at least understand how to use the radio and listen; and be able to transmit, if you wanted that - also requiring a license.
On the other hand, there might be a ham person in their neighborhood who could help you in a serious emergency.
But it’s not like telephone. As long as cell or landline phone service were available, you could communicate that way; but in a major SHTF situation where everything shuts down or is interfered with, I’m not sure there’s a lot to suggest.
(I really miss old-fashioned landlines.)
If everything goes to hell, I wouldn’t worry if your Ham license is up to date but more that your ham actually works.
Sorry, I meant FRS, not GMRS.
Yes. Zero tolerance for sh!tbirds.
GMRS requires a license. It's currently $70 for ten years. Good for the whole family. No testing required. Price was supposed to come down to $35, but hadn't as of December 2021.
Not to discourage anyone from their interest in ham radio, I would suggest to you to consider the many alternatives available.
The one most likely to suit your needs is GMRS, a category similar to ham radio local communications.
Your radio needs are very dependent on the local terrain and 8 miles is doable with GMRS radios at higher power levels. If you are lucky, there may be a radio repeater installed in your areas that can overcome distance and terrain issues.
Ham radio as a hobby requires interest and time commitments that many aren't prepared to take on. There are alternatives that require little effort to get the results you desire such as GMRS (that only require a purchase of a license for a small fee).
Be forewarned though that all options, including ham, are on public airwaves and are easily monitored by anybody with the proper receiver.
Transmitting a location and indicating a potential vulnerability can be viewed by some as a invitation to cause harm.
Ignore my prior comment. I should have scrolled down more.
Yes, I corrected that. I meant FRS.
But isn’t she too far away for GMRS too? I don’t know much about that.
There are a lot of videos on Youtube.
This is the main link http://www.arrl.org/getting-your-technician-license
One thing to know- EVERY question that you might possible be asked is readily available; learn the answers to the pool and you *will* pass:
http://www.arrl.org/tech-question-pool
You can go online and listen virtually at a number of sites.
This is all you actually need; can be found used sometimes.
https://smile.amazon.com/ARRL-Radio-License-Manual-Spiral/dp/1625950829/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=arrl+technician+class+license+manual&qid=1646778192&sprefix=aarl+te%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-1
If you have a ham radio club in your area, you’re golden, there *will* be people who would like nothing more than to help you pass. http://www.arrl.org/find-a-club
The occasional sputtering indignities you read on here about Censorship and fear of Big Brother are based on the fact that using the spectrum for anything attempting to overthrow or impede the operation of the government is specifically not allowed by terms of your license; it is what it is; no one is going care about your opinions beyond that, but organizing a rebellion is a no-no.
And any unauthorized transmission *will* be found out. There is an entire sport where someone sets up a transmitter and we go to find it. We call it a ‘Fox Hunt’. It usually takes a few minutes; very easy, but you can just listen without a license.
Freepmail me with any questions, but hams are nearly evangelical in wanting to teach people!
I’m on board for those events.
Have been for 45 years.
Many do.
Second to Baofeng.
Surprisingly well made, like a tough, cop grade walkie-talkie; you could beat someone over the head with it and it would work. I bought mine before I even passed my tech license, just to play around with, mine is a UV-5 R. I swear, if Chinese military stuff is as rugged as this damn thing we’re in for a world of hurt, it’s SOLID and works perfectly.
Just renew on FCC website...
All you Ditty Boppers, INT QRK, INT QRK, Over?
KKKKKKKKK/hm
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