Hams lend a helping hand (Amateur radio in the tsunami zone)

The Hindu ^ | 1/1/05 | SHONALI MUTHALALY

[Red Sea Swimmer]

Is Ham Radio kosher certified ?

[Moose4]

For the most part, it can. But why do people engage in any hobby? Why do men restore classic cars when a modern car can go just as fast with better gas mileage and lower emissions?

It's interesting. It's challenging, too. Try heading over to the American Radio Relay League website and they've got more information over there, they can express it way better than I can.

}:-)4

[no_mm]

The internet requires as much -if not more- infrastructure as a cell or land-line phone system....

Hams can do much more on battery or generator power with systems setup and ready to move into place where needed -or existing ham stations in their cars, home, RV's, backpacks.

Also, typical VHF ham repeaters have much further range than equiv UHF and microwave cell networks.

a rough explanation -I know.

[KoRn]

What is the range Tx and Rx of a HAM radio?

[no_mm]

Further, Shortwave ham radio uses the lower frequencies with propagation of low power (battery) signals in the hundreds and thousands of miles. Perfect the type of disaster we are seeing unfold right now where communication is needed to other countries.

[no_mm]

range depends on what band you are talking about, HAMS have many bands of frequencies -by International Agreements.

Generally the lower the frequency (SHORTWAVES 3-30MHZ) has the longest range, with propagation varying with time of day (like AM radio day/night range).

[Joe Hadenuf]

Perhaps I will add my Technician license to my New Years resolutions.

Do it Karl. I'm a General class, and it's not only a lot of fun, it's a great tool when the #%*% hits the fan.

[KoRn]

So it reaches world wide?

[no_mm]

VHF, UHF, and Microwave range is limited to usually line-of sight, so to speak. Generally several miles, up to several DOZENs of miles if using a REPEATER.

[no_mm]

yes, SOME bands that hams are permitted to operate on have world-wide reach. Shortwave bands 3-30MHZ on your radio dial.

[Professional Engineer]

So it reaches world wide?

You betcha, I was listening to South Africa from Texas today.

[Professional Engineer]

ping

[LasVegasMac]

Perhaps I will add my Technician license to my New Years resolutions.

No way, dude. Avoid it. There is just too much to do in the Amateur Radio world.

I'm only a Tech, but I've been trying for a couple of years to get a handle on this "hobby".

6m, 2m, 220, 70cm, and it goes up from there.

FM simplex and repeater op's. Simplex is fun, but ya have to work at it.

Did I mention I talked to southern Florida on 6m SSB? From Las Vegas? That one hurt me.

And of course I have never talked into SoCal on 2m SSB, or 70cm SSB.

I will deny any knowledge of talking to Oscar sat's or the ISS. And I never let my 10 yr old son hold (Mr Armstrong!) the Arrow antenna. Not me.

Nor have I ever purchased any device for digital operations on above mentioned frequency's.

I am, of course, kidding. By all means, get your ticket. What I mention above is pretty much just a dent into what is available. For a Tech license. General is next. Hello world!

The word, "amazing" does not begin to describe what is out there - waiting.

LVM

[no_mm]

Also, TX and RX range can depend on the POWER levels that are being used. HAMS can legally run up to 2KW (2000 WATTS of effective power), but generally you can get by with far less for most communications.

100-300 watts is fairly typical for most home HAM stations.

Many run FLEA-POWER of 1watt or less for the fun challenge of seeing how far they can transmit on near-zero power (miles-per-watt) talking to other countries. Try that on a cell-phone ;)

[Stentor]

You betcha, I was listening to South Africa from Texas today.

I used to listen to a Radio Moscow English broadcast on a 39 Philco Cathedral with a very long wire run to the top of a clothesline pole in the 50s.

[Dalite]

"A question. Why do HAM radio operators continue when such things can be done by Internet? I'm not pro or con HAM radio, I just don't know much about it. It just seems to me anything that can be done with HAM radio can be done over the net."

In a word; infrastructure.

When you can't get a link into the Internet, due to disaster, remote location, loss of power, etc... Ham radio provides a loose network that can set up in quick fashion and provide traffic handling.

Also, Ham Radio can operate in conjunction with the Internet (VoIP) and provide nation-wide coverage with handheld transceivers. It allows a large, mobile. volunteer force that has a commitment to public service.

Ham Radio is also far more in handling a local event or emergency than the internet. Local repeaters are often used to coordinate between evacuation shelters in hurricane season (from personal experience) and I would suppose for Tornado, flood or other evacuation operations that are localized.

In the early 90s, I can remember the first hurricane reports from a pacific island that was hard hit were via Ham Satellite operations. Using Ham Sats give global coverage.

There are similar network protocols in use with 2 way radio as the vehicle, rather than the Internet.

A new generation of Icom mobile radios is offering Ethernet networking and the ability to use the Internet on the road; not dependent on Wifi or hotspots.

There will continue to be both Ham Radio and the Internet; until either (or both) is taxed, regulated or government red-taped out of existence....

[KoRn]

"You betcha, I was listening to South Africa from Texas today."

Wow nice!

[no_mm]

And where is that '39 Philco NOW?


Dude, you were sitting next to a GOLDMINE -at least to the RADIO collectors nowadays ;)

Speaking of that...what ever happened to RUSSIA too?

lol

[Stentor]

And I never let my 10 yr old son hold (Mr Armstrong!) the Arrow antenna. Not me.

Good for you. If you had, you might have forged one of those wimpy bonds.

[KoRn]

The more avenues of communication the better.