Wanting to get into HAM radio

Edwardteach72

Edwardteach72

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So as the title says, I'm looking to get my HAM radio license, technician to be exact (I believe that's what the first one is called)

Anyone here licensed? I really want to learn and understand what I'm doing, but oh boy is it intimidating.

Currently have a Baofeng UV-5R to try and play with once I get my license.

20200622_130025.jpg
 
Edwardteach72

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Marine Cpl said:
Edward, join this forum. I learned a lot from there. I do not participate much but lurk a lot and most questions that you have are already asked so you do not really even have to post much.

forums.radioreference.com

RadioReference.com Forums

RadioReference Discussion Forums
forums.radioreference.com forums.radioreference.com
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I saw you post this in the other thread. I am going to have to check it out.
 
libertysnake

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I'd like to get into this as well. I've been doing a lot of rucks, and getting a serious radio that would be useful in a BoB or multi day hikes in a SHTF scenario is desirable.

I picked up one of these some time ago on a sale. My original intent wasn't actually for radio use -- I wanted something where I could keep quick medical and often used equip up front, but something that wasn't massive like a plate carrier vest. Tool Chest Radio Chest Harness

However, the fact it has a nice radio pouch is just a plus to me. Right now I just have run-of-the-mill short range radios in the pouch for when I go on a full day or weekend hike, especially considering T-Mobile is shit up here. Should really upgrade to something that actually fills the pouch.
 
B

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Gordon West pretty much sets the standard for books for new Hams. He's been at it for decades.

2018-2022 Technician Class: Gordon West, WB6NOA, Eric J. Nichols, KL7AJ, Pete Trotter, KB9SMG, Karin Thompson, K0RTX, Jim Massara, N2EST: 9780945053903: Amazon.com: Books

2018-2022 Technician Class [Gordon West, WB6NOA, Eric J. Nichols, KL7AJ, Pete Trotter, KB9SMG, Karin Thompson, K0RTX, Jim Massara, N2EST] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. 2018-2022 Technician Class
www.amazon.com


A word of caution about the Baofeng radios: most models do not meet FCC requirements, even for ham radios. They have a tendency to spew RF all over the place. While it's not likely to cause problems, it is technically a violation, and it does not keep with the spirit of the hobby.
 
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penrod72

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Great forum over at ar15.com, in the outdoors section, ham radio.
Most of the baofand radios are okay, but they are not what ham radio is all about. They can do short range coms, but only to others who are licensed.
IF you are studying for tech, study for general at same time - lots more privileges and lots crossover between the tests.
 
cgrutt

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There's a few threads here on Ham licensing. The questions on test come from a fixed pool of predefined questions with answers provided in the ARRL study guides. So you can either learn it or memorize the questions and answers. There are sites such as HamStudy.org: Cutting edge amateur radio study tools where you can take practice tests online that are drawn from the predefined pool of questions and answers. Take the online tests and memorize the answers. Should be able to pass tech within a week if you take enough practice tests. They're literally same questions and answers that you'll see on exam. Good luck.
 
Acer-m14

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Bob said:
Gordon West pretty much sets the standard for books for new Hams. He's been at it for decades.

2018-2022 Technician Class: Gordon West, WB6NOA, Eric J. Nichols, KL7AJ, Pete Trotter, KB9SMG, Karin Thompson, K0RTX, Jim Massara, N2EST: 9780945053903: Amazon.com: Books

2018-2022 Technician Class [Gordon West, WB6NOA, Eric J. Nichols, KL7AJ, Pete Trotter, KB9SMG, Karin Thompson, K0RTX, Jim Massara, N2EST] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. 2018-2022 Technician Class
www.amazon.com


A word of caution about the Baofeng radios: most models do not meet FCC requirements, even for ham radios. They have a tendency to spew RF all over the place. While it's not likely to cause problems, it is technically a violation, and it does not keep with the spirit of the hobby.
Click to expand...


my legal HAM station running 500 watts while talking to the space shuttle mess up lots of cordless phones in the trailer park lol ..
 
Marine Cpl

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What’s your end game? Is the family and your friends going to get licensed? If not, you can only talk to old people about frivolous things like the weather and what repeater you talked on when you traveled to such and such state.
 
Edwardteach72

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Marine Cpl said:
What’s your end game? Is the family and your friends going to get licensed? If not, you can only talk to old people about frivolous things like the weather and what repeater you talked on when you traveled to such and such state.
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All the above? Lol
 
Edwardteach72

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Marine Cpl said:
That’s good then. I never got licensed because my friends aren’t interested.
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Neither are mine, but I figure for 15 bucks for 10 years.. itd make getting proficient with coms a bit easier, and I'd like one of my friends or myself to be semi capable with coms if shit ever happend
 
fnfalguy

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I’ll chime in from a geeky perspective. My interest started as a SHTF thing, but Ive found different things of interest now that I have gotten licensed and deeper in the hobby. I started with the baofeng and then went from there onto other radios which better suit my needs.

Lately, I’ve been chasing satellites with the VHF/UHF handhelds. Something satisfying about pinging a 5x5’ target 500 KM in the sky and making a contact off of it. Not sure what MOA that would be....
 
Marine Cpl

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For my family and friends, I have decided on MURS radios since no license is needed on those frequencies. It’s simplex which is handheld to handheld with a range of about 2 miles depending on the terrain. More than 2 if in the desert with no obstructions in the way.

I do have my Baofeng programmed to listen in on local repeaters that can do about 20 or so miles though I cannot talk to anyone since I’m not licensed. In a SHTF scenario, those repeaters would fail eventually though unless they are on solar battery for power.
 
SonOfSun

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Marine Cpl said:
For my family and friends, I have decided on MURS radios since no license is needed on those frequencies. It’s simplex which is handheld to handheld with a range of about 2 miles depending on the terrain. More than 2 if in the desert with no obstructions in the way.

I do have my Baofeng programmed to listen in on local repeaters that can do about 20 or so miles though I cannot talk to anyone since I’m not licensed. In a SHTF scenario, those repeaters would fail eventually though unless they are on solar battery for power.
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The problem with off the shelf radio technology is everyone that would be "meaningful" would have it in that scenario. If things were to the point the the country was in a state where radio towers were down, it would be a real Armageddon. By "meaningful" people I'm not belittling anyone, more saying those people with real capacity to do something... and maybe you don't want their attention. So maybe HAM for listen, but NOT broadcast.

Personally, I focus on non-standard emergency communications. In that type of situation security through obscurity is a real thing.
 
Marine Cpl

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SonOfSun said:
The problem with off the shelf radio technology is everyone that would be "meaningful" would have it in that scenario. If things were to the point the the country was in a state where radio towers were down, it would be a real Armageddon. By "meaningful" people I'm not belittling anyone, more saying those people with real capacity to do something... and maybe you don't want their attention. So maybe HAM for listen, but NOT broadcast.

Personally, I focus on non-standard emergency communications. In that type of situation security through obscurity is a real thing.
Click to expand...
I’ve been considering DLR or DTR for that purpose but for 300 plus bucks per radio, honestly, MURS is pretty dead as it is or at least dead enough where if one talked in code, it would be a sort of encryption. Sensitive things would be talked about in person rather than over the air.

Also one would have to be within range to hear it which is a mile or 2 at best.
 
SonOfSun

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Marine Cpl said:
I’ve been considering DLR or DTR for that purpose but for 300 plus bucks per radio, honestly, MURS is pretty dead as it is or at least dead enough where if one talked in code, it would be a sort of encryption. Sensitive things would be talked about in person rather than over the air.

Also one would have to be within range to hear it which is a mile or 2 at best.
Click to expand...

I'm more referring to signature. A heavy hitter in that time would likely have MURS technology. Doesn't mater if I'm talking in code or not, if they can hear the MURS transmission in any way - code words or not, then they know that there are people they want to take an interest in within two miles. I don't want that attention. By using communications methods they will almost certainly not be monitoring, they won't be able to know what you are saying, nor or even know you are communicating. Hiding in plain sight by using obscure communication channels that aren't being monitored.
 
Marine Cpl

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SonOfSun said:
I'm more referring to signature. A heavy hitter in that time would likely have MURS technology. Doesn't mater if I'm talking in code or not, if they can hear the MURS transmission in any way - code words or not, then they know that there are people they want to take an interest in within two miles. I don't want that attention. By using communications methods they will almost certainly not be monitoring, they won't be able to know what you are saying, nor or even know you are communicating. Hiding in plain sight by using obscure communication channels that aren't being monitored.
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Which comms are those? And what do you think about DTR/DLR? It was explained to me that those are unmonitorable when enquired about them on the radio reference forum.
 
SonOfSun

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SDR paired with non-standard encoding protocols. Most common HAM stuff is in the 2 meter & 70 cm wavelength and most HAM equipment won't go much outside of those frequency ranges, hacked firmware or not, the electronic components are just not there. How many "bad guys" do you think would really have much more than a few Baofeng HAM radios? Do you really they think they'd have an SDR guy with experience decoding a new protocol over an encrypted channel? They'd be really skilled to even find there was a broadcast, let alone decode it.

Side note: using reserved frequencies is REALLY REALLY illegal, but if things got real, do you think I give a shit about stepping on the EESS reserved spectrum (as an example)?

A couple links, and use your imagination:

Amazon.com: Nooelec NESDR Smart HF Bundle: 100kHz-1.7GHz Software Defined Radio Set for HF/UHF/VHF Including RTL-SDR, Assembled Ham It Up Upconverter, Balun, Adapters: Computers & Accessories

Buy Nooelec NESDR Smart HF Bundle: 100kHz-1.7GHz Software Defined Radio Set for HF/UHF/VHF Including RTL-SDR, Assembled Ham It Up Upconverter, Balun, Adapters: External TV Tuners - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com


 
Marine Cpl

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SonOfSun said:
SDR paired with non-standard encoding protocols. Most common HAM stuff is in the 2 meter & 70 cm wavelength and most HAM equipment won't go much outside of those frequency ranges, hacked firmware or not, the electronic components are just not there. How many "bad guys" do you think would really have much more than a few Baofeng HAM radios? Do you really they think they'd have an SDR guy with experience decoding a new protocol over an encrypted channel? They'd be really skilled to even find there was a broadcast, let alone decode it.

Side note: using reserved frequencies is REALLY REALLY illegal, but if things got real, do you think I give a shit about stepping on the EESS reserved spectrum (as an example)?

A couple links, and use your imagination:

Amazon.com: Nooelec NESDR Smart HF Bundle: 100kHz-1.7GHz Software Defined Radio Set for HF/UHF/VHF Including RTL-SDR, Assembled Ham It Up Upconverter, Balun, Adapters: Computers & Accessories

Buy Nooelec NESDR Smart HF Bundle: 100kHz-1.7GHz Software Defined Radio Set for HF/UHF/VHF Including RTL-SDR, Assembled Ham It Up Upconverter, Balun, Adapters: External TV Tuners - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com


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You are talking way past my knowledge of radio. I’m also not looking for a big rig. Just handhelds which is why I have interest in DTR/DLR.
 
spat

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SonOfSun said:
The problem with off the shelf radio technology is everyone that would be "meaningful" would have it in that scenario. If things were to the point the the country was in a state where radio towers were down, it would be a real Armageddon. By "meaningful" people I'm not belittling anyone, more saying those people with real capacity to do something... and maybe you don't want their attention. So maybe HAM for listen, but NOT broadcast.

Personally, I focus on non-standard emergency communications. In that type of situation security through obscurity is a real thing.
Click to expand...
I've always been more interested in a digital burst mode.

Very short transmissions and very low duty cycle. A few milliseconds at most.

Text transmissions would be ideal. But for voice if you did PTT it would digitally record and highly compress the audio and then transmit all at once in a burst when you released the key.

Imagine sending a few seconds of mp3 data over a 100Mb link that was only active for a very short duration.

Someone would really have to be looking to see that.
 
Jmac00

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OK I'm resurrecting this old thread

what is the down and dirty basic license i need to get a ham license, technician? or general?
 
Jmac00

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ok, my wife just reminded me that i had a FCC vhf license for my marine station when we bought our boat in '96, would the FCC still have that info, or not
 
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