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Dust Off The Ham Radio License—We May need It Soon...
me | 03/08/2022

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.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: 202203; hamradio
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To: Jamestown1630

“I can at least listen to what’s happening around the region even if I can’t legally transmit.”

Absolutely. Listening in would be very important to know what is really happening as it happens.


41 posted on 03/08/2022 12:28:22 PM PST by CodeToad (Arm up! They Have!)
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To: BiglyCommentary

I can transmit up to 100 watts with the Yaesu 817, it’s all band radio that operates from 70cm,2m up to 80m bands.

If you want a handheld radio a technicians license is required to operate on 2m/70cm band but if you want to go further you need a general class license to operate on the traditional HF Bands like 20m,40m,80m, etc...


42 posted on 03/08/2022 12:28:27 PM PST by srmanuel (`)
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To: srmanuel

Did they change the 817? Mine only puts out 5 watts. The 897 puts out 100.


43 posted on 03/08/2022 12:29:08 PM PST by Vermont Lt
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To: devane617

Just went to the ARRL website and saw no morse code requirement for any of the licences. Showing the last time was involved. Probabaly have the old grid dip meter up in the attic...


44 posted on 03/08/2022 12:29:16 PM PST by BiglyCommentary
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To: A Navy Vet

“As if the average American has a license or a radio.”

Maybe not, but there are enough ham radio operators with gear that every neighborhood should be able to have communications of some kind.


45 posted on 03/08/2022 12:29:24 PM PST by CodeToad (Arm up! They Have!)
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To: devane617

We’ve started a small comm network in our small town using dual band transceivers; my uncle has an old Hallicrafters S-40B that’s real neat, he gave me an S-38C when I was interested in foreign broadcasts.


46 posted on 03/08/2022 12:29:58 PM PST by SkyDancer ( I make airplanes fly, what's your super power?)
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To: Vermont Lt

My husband got stuck in an elevator a while back while running an errand; I didn’t know what was taking him so long to come home, until he started sending SOS on the emergency bell. (It’s pretty much the only Morse we know :-)


47 posted on 03/08/2022 12:30:30 PM PST by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: A Navy Vet
As if the average American has a license or a radio.

I consider myself average. I have both amateur and GMRS licenses and multiple portable radios for each. Generator, fuel, etc. I'll be able to listen in. Not sure I'd be too keen on transmitting much.

Actually for folks so inclined - get a radio or radios now. You do not need a license to own one, nor to listen in on anything. You only need the license if you plan on transmitting. If an "adversary" has radio direction finding equipment you probably don't want to transmit anyway. Besides, if we're at the point where we're exchanging info via localized amateur and GMRS radios because everything else is down then getting tagged for an FCC violation is going to be the least of your worries.

48 posted on 03/08/2022 12:30:56 PM PST by ThunderSleeps (Vaccine mandates: they are not about health, they are about obedience.)
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To: srmanuel

As of last week, a 100watt panel is roughly $130 and a 300 w/h power station is $300.
https://www.jackery.com/products/explorer-300-portable-power-station?msclkid=1730c3ab0a1318879369a18cb6b2d487&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Products&utm_term=jackery%20300&utm_content=300

I expect prices on stuff like this to go up faster than inflation, which is already too fast. Might be CBs and Hams will too


49 posted on 03/08/2022 12:31:28 PM PST by z3n (Kakistocracy)
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To: ThunderSleeps

Thanks for the info.


50 posted on 03/08/2022 12:32:05 PM PST by A Navy Vet (USA Birth Certificate - 1787. Death Certificate - 2021. )
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To: FrogMom

Things go down here often, especially in the Summer during storms.


51 posted on 03/08/2022 12:32:07 PM PST by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: CodeToad

It’s not completely wrong it’s 100% accurate, if you read the person I was responding to, he asked about Baofeng UV-5r, which is a cheap handheld ham radio which operates on VHF/UHF and is limited to a couple of miles maybe without the use of repeaters...

So my response is 100% factual. before accusing people of passing out false information, at least understand the conversation


52 posted on 03/08/2022 12:32:46 PM PST by srmanuel (`)
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To: Vermont Lt

I was mistaken on the model it’s a Yaesu 857D I have which does operate up to 100 watts.


53 posted on 03/08/2022 12:34:33 PM PST by srmanuel (`)
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To: devane617; All
Found this from 2019:

California Officials declare Ham Radio no longer a benefit

Intersting, in light of where we are now, that Commiefornia did this in 2019.

54 posted on 03/08/2022 12:35:26 PM PST by Pajamajan ( PRAY FOR OUR NATION. Never be a peaceful slave in a new Socialist America.)
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To: srmanuel

There ya go! I almost went downstairs to dig it out. Lol. 857 is a nice rig.


55 posted on 03/08/2022 12:36:11 PM PST by Vermont Lt
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To: UnwashedPeasant
Baofeng radios get a bad rap that is at least partially deserved. They're not always the ah "most precise" instruments on the airwaves. ;-)

They certainly aren't the best available but in general they get the job done and they are relatively inexpensive. I prefer my Yaesu FT-65R with Signal Stick antenna. But if it works it is hard to argue with success.

Look up common frequencies in use in your area - repeaters, clubs, etc. Write them down on paper now and tuck it in a drawer. Just in case.

56 posted on 03/08/2022 12:36:18 PM PST by ThunderSleeps (Vaccine mandates: they are not about health, they are about obedience.)
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To: devane617

Ham Radio is still in the box, with a license being on my short list (sorry - working 2.5 gigs). SW radio just came in yesterday.

Suggestion: Even if you don’t have a HAM licenses, start listening on both HAM and SW as to what’s coming in locally. CB is fine, too. but you’re gonna mostly get truck and skip traffic.

If for any reason you find your long distance comms going down for a period of time, use your best judgement to transmit on a HAM band (although you can always on the emergency channels if you’re in distress).

Prepping. Comms. Field Medicines. Things that *SHOULD* be discussed on the FreeRepublic right now.

(see tagline)

jimjohn - OUT.


57 posted on 03/08/2022 12:36:19 PM PST by jimjohn (We're at war, people. Start acting like it.)
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To: devane617

Hi.

I forget my .Morse code, but that looks like SoS.

5.56mm


58 posted on 03/08/2022 12:38:26 PM PST by M Kehoe (Quid Pro Joe and the Ho need to go.)
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To: Vermont Lt

I keep 4-5 handhelds around the house and travel with one, just in case.

I have a nice Yaesu handheld I keep on me, plus I bought a package of 4 Baofengs for local stuff, I dropped in all the local repeaters.


59 posted on 03/08/2022 12:39:43 PM PST by srmanuel (`)
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To: CodeToad
"Maybe not, but there are enough ham radio operators with gear that every neighborhood should be able to have communications of some kind."

I get your point, but don't believe there are enough operators to cover every neighborhood in the US. That said, they could be a communication point if more Americans bought them. Too bad Radio Shack is defunct, bet their sales for ham radios would be going through the roof as well as their stock.

I just read that the rich elite are waiting in line to have bomb shelters built at enormous cost. Plus many of the freeze-dried foods suppliers like Mountain House are running low on inventory.

I'm going to laugh my as off when Putin makes an agreement with Ukraine and NO nukes go off.

60 posted on 03/08/2022 12:40:01 PM PST by A Navy Vet (USA Birth Certificate - 1787. Death Certificate - 2021. )
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