Posted on 10/11/2019 6:36:35 AM PDT by AU72
The People’s Republic of California is at it again; through unelected state officials, California is severing ties to ham radio repeater owners throughout the state, jeopardizing the lives of millions of Californians who depend on these repeaters to operate during emergencies.
Last month, repeater operators were sent emails telling them the State would no longer allow them to operate repeaters on public land without paying substantial rental fees. In the letter sent by CAL FIRE, the state claims Ham operators no longer provide a benefit to the state or public safety. They claimed that “constantly changing technological advances” has made Ham radio obsolete during an emergency.
Keep in mind; this is a state that is currently shutting power down in 34 of its counties because its infrastructure cannot handle 20-30 mph winds without risking wildfire breakouts throughout the state.
What is infuriating here is people are going to die because of this decision. It costs the State of California nothing to allow these repeaters on public land; in fact, Ham Radio Operators pay for the equipment and maintain the equipment at their own cost. Ham Radio operators also make nothing from running these radio repeaters; they do so as a service to the public to help ensure the public’s safety during natural disasters and emergencies.
Here is a good explanation of what’s going on from a Ham Radio operator in California
While paying billions of dollars a year to cater to illegal immigrants and welfare bums, California is now targeting hard-working Ham operators who provide critical and vital Disaster Emergency Communications. These people have absolutely lost their minds!
There is a nationwide effort to Kill Ham Radio
My off the grid ham radio
Even most Hams haven’t taken notice, but in 2012 the federal government launched FirstNet, a public safety nationwide broadband network that many in the government think will make Ham radio operators obsolete. In reality, its nothing more than a $47 Billion Federal Cell Phone Network that itself is already obsolete. In fact, it needs LOTS of infrastructure to function, and it creates multiple, single points of failure.
The real story here is Ham Radio is a threat to the government. We make them look stupid! They spend billions on infrastructure that breaks down, while we can literally take a hundred bucks in equipment, some random wires, and in minutes set up a radio system that can communicate with anyone in the world. Hell, I’ve used my kid’s slinky, some Television Coax Cable, and a solar battery system to build a mobile rig that I’ve used to talk to people around the world — You can check out the Radio Rig Here.
They don’t want the public to realize that we can take care of ourselves, and do a much better and cheaper job doing so!
bump
Trivially easy...
> programmed .. by hand
repeaterbook (free), radioreference (cheap), $8 cable, free software, much easier!!!
> There are no restrictions to listening.
Maybe there should be some exceptions : - )
Give up man - start over - get a new FR account and learn from your beating here.
Just finished reading Atlas Shrugged. Life imitating art. Amazing
ping
Calvin Coolidge fan.
Didn’t want to wait for the connector cable.
I started with one but now have 4 of these. I was baffled by the first one. But, after a couple of beers it was easy.
I personally think it's all about control. Total control of everything. The leftist want to control and or ban everything they can't totally control and thus see it as a threat.
Look at Hollywood who has often depicted amateur "Ham" radio, as the realm of conspiracy nuts and right wing radicals. But the fact of the matter is, many hams I've communicated with are engineers, electronic technicians, high tech types, pilots, cops and other professionals from all walks of life who simply enjoy all aspects of communications. But the leftist and Hollywood want everyone watching Hollywood and their big media propagandist. It's because they totally control the message.
Interesting thanks...
re: “ “Texas Star” “
Or, something “Dave” made ... LOL.
re: “ No amplifier on the Galaxy, Straight up 350 from it’s own box when switched on by the way. “
... sounds like ... N5LAX.
3822 (kHz, 80 meters) most evenings and in the mornings too ...
I can tell you’ve never actually worked 160 meters ... 160 meters is a MEDIUM WAVE band with DIFFERENT characteristics from freqs above 3 MHz ...
You are right, not at all. My only experience was as a military communicator. So, I Googled it and in only a moment that it took to find it, the description appears just like I described for shortwave. Atmospherics, the changing ionosphere, Sun activity affects Medium Wave just as shortwave.
During the day propagation is limited to local contacts, but long distance contacts are possible at night, especially around sunrise and sunset and during periods of sunspot minima.That is why I said "it is only usable to aficionados who know how to make it work for them." How can you take exception to that? Are you saying that your ballerina sister without any experience at all once walked up to your set and in a heartbeat tuned in The Philippines three nights in a row?Much about ionospheric and propagation on 160 meters is still not completely understood. Phenomena such as "chordal hop" propagation are frequently observed, as well as other unexplained long-distance propagation mechanisms. Inexplicable radio blackouts occur on 160 meters – sometimes also on the AM broadcast band. Many of these phenomena have been investigated in the scientific community also[citation needed].
Actually the word "triangulate" means you need three stations, each with a rotating log periodic, to detect the highest field strength from one angle out of 360 degrees and then a coordinator to plot each angle to identify the fixed point on the map where the three rays intersect.
There is no mobility needed.
... and you’re severely limiting yourself tactically and strategically, and furthermore, you’re exhibiting the characteristics of someone unwilling to learn.
Your cited text is not quite even half right; operating 160 meters for the last 6 years in practical use as opposed to some textbook reference has taught me that.
In addition, I’ve got volumes of numerical data via the WSPR (WSPRnet.org) network from operation on 160 meters, year round.
I pointed out shortcomings you were ready to accept, shortcomings that you were willing to accept without looking at any alternatives. I am pointing out an actual, working alternative, ESPECIALLY in light of these years with few sunspots and weak propagation on the SW bands ...
re: “Actually the word “triangulate” means you need three stations,”
Three points (coordinates), actually, define a triangle ... only two points (two receivers) with known (bearing) angles are required to find, that is to locate or determine, the location of a (the) third point.
This is what I was taught in the military and back then, 45 years ago, it was classified.
Location of illegal, secret or hostile transmitters - SIGINT
I had never actually done it myself. I simply assumed without thought that it took three stations, not considering the pythagorean theorem would provide the distance to the intersection.
All that talk when I already told you that I had no experience at all other than the military in the Cold War days. So really I suppose I am unwilling to learn much in my retirement, but I'll defer to your firsthand knowledge.
“no one is allowed to use them unless they submit to the ownership and pay their dues to the club first.”
Many Amateur Radio Clubs offer FREE classes and FREE testing for your license. The FCC then processes and grants you your license for FREE.
There are no licensing fees.
No code tests.
You just need to demonstrate a minimum of competency so as to avoid causing problems with other users of the radio spectrum.
IT really is very easy and FREE to get an amateur radio license.
There is no “submitting” to anybody, and no “dues” required.
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