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Ham radio

Where would I begin my journey in learning to operate a ham radio or the like? Is it possible to have one without spending a fortune? It's probably my biggest weakness in my preps. It's something I've put off for too long now. I need to rectify this weakness.

Where would I begin my journey in learning to operate a ham radio or the like? Is it possible to have one without spending a fortune? It's probably my biggest weakness in my preps. It's something I've put off for too long now. I need to rectify this weakness.

(post is archived)

[–] [Sticky] • 4 pts
[–] • 1 pt

IIRC Licensing is needed, right? Why?

[–] • 3 pts

Ensures basic technical and operating competency. Definitely keeps the niggers off the air

[–] • 1 pt

Fair enough. I don't suppose it can be too hard to learn. I have a couple barely competent friends from years ago that had hams.

[–] • 7 pts

It is absolutely affordable and easy to jump into. Get yourself a Baofeng UV-5R handheld 2 meter HT. They can be had on Amazon etc for less then 30 bucks. You will be listening to the 2 meter band with signals bounced of repeaters. You will have to do a little legwork as it doesn't come pre loaded with frequencies however, There are videos on how to manually program it one frequency at a time OR you can get CHIRP software free and a usb compatible cable for the radio and IT will have repeaters in your area already listed. You just upload to the HT and its all set. You are the free to listen to the rag chewing going on all the over the Country if you catch certain repeaters. The FCC is not going to come after you if you make up a call sign and go for but there is more personal satisfaction in doing it right, studying and taking the exams. First level is Technician and will give you access to MANY bands but not all. General which I have but started with a Tech license opens MORE frequencies and Extra is the golden ticket. Its a great hobby but more importantly its a great back up communication device because even if the repeater got zapped you can still catch signals on Simplex and Hams don't need HUGE antenna or big time watts to get a lot of range. Hope this helps.

[–] • 1 pt

Does the FCC still seek out people illegally transmitting? For example if you randomly transmit on some band that you don't have a license for, do they still run around in vans trying to triangulate your position?

[–] • 3 pts

I'll be very honest with you. I am not sure that they ever DID. I go WAY back to 75 starting on CB and there were a lot of troublemakers THEN and there are NOW on the Ham frequencies and THEY never get popped. Like I said before you make up a Call sign say KD1 DDI something like that. They only time anyone would even question it is if they are looking to put you in their log book as a contact and they check the database for that call sign and it either doesn't come up OR it corresponds to a real call sign and they just go with the info they find. It'll be wrong of course but not catastrophic for anyone.

Besides if you just buy that Baofeng and listen for awhile that will actually help you decide if you want to get into it deeper and if not and TSHTF then you wont be worrying about being unlicensed anyway and the FCC will have better things to do. But the suggestion of just grabbing the practice tests and going that route is a solid one because most of the questions you'll study will be on the test and you dont need to get a 100 percent score on any of them. You can also take those tests in pretty much any club that already exists in your area not to mention that Hams are good people and like seeing others keep the hobby going so they would be more than willing to help you.

[–] • 3 pts

If you're causing a lot of interference with commercial broadcasts in spectrum you're not supposed to be in...maybe. Do it on a critical part of the spectrum like weatherband or aircraft bands, yes.

If you're splattering on the 2m band, no.

As a licensed operator, you're legally allowed to track and confiscate equipment from those who are operating illegally.

[–] • 1 pt

I don't know about confiscate, since that's a liability and legal issue, but definitely can track and provide proof to the FCC regarding interference from unlicensed operators.

Source : father is a ham who, with a bunch of others, FCC'd a douche who was griefing new operators, it worked

[–] • 1 pt

Depends who you interfere with (read: piss off). If you dont make a nuisance of yourself, nobody cares. If you start interfering with licensed frequencies they will track you down. Their retribution is steep - felonies and $50k/day fines if you piss them off.

[–] • 4 pts

Search for "ham radio practice tests" and you'll find all kinds of sites offering practice exams from the test pools.

Technician class is the lowest level, expect to need some basic electronics and a lot of safety rules. Most of that is common sense rules, like don't lick the antenna leads and stuff.

[–] • 2 pts (edited )

https://hamstudy.org/

Study the right answers only until you can pass practice tests with no issues. Then schedule tech test from ARRL website and pass.

Edit - once you pass, find a decent home station setup from local hams. Find local repeater frequencies from repeaterbook.com and make contacts. They'll usually have a website and a monthly meetup - lots of used gear to make a pretty good base station. All you really need is a decent transceiver, good coax, and a great antenna.