Amateur radio (HAM)

[Gary]

"I think the Baofeng is a good choice - I have two of them, one in the car and one for taking it with me. I would suggest that you buy the programming cable with it, you can then use a freeware software called "chirp" to easily program it (stand-alone programming is really a pain with this device). Also, if you want to use it in the car, a mobile magnetic-mount antenna will dramatically increase your reach (note that you may need an adapter to connect it to the Baofeng). You can also use an antenna like this and plop it on your refrigerator, a metal surface outside or inside etc. for home use.

As LQB said, it would be a good idea to get in touch with your local ham club - they can help you out. Oftentimes, they will even rent you equipment for free or even donate you stuff to help a newcomer and as a "service to amateur radio". In these cases however I think it's a good idea to keep energy balance in mind and try to give something back, for example in the form of commitment to the club, taking part in regular nets etc.

On another note, depending on your technical understanding, time etc., you may want to think about taking the "bigger" exam directly, if that's possible. Personally, I found it easier to do it "at once" than to take consecutive exams, and it can also be cheaper. Good luck!"

Great advice luc, thanks. I may get this budget handheld ham radio, programming cable and antenna as my birthday present :) At least I have a basic platform to start from then. I will contact my local HAM radio group though, and do the exam. Actually on the farm where I live, there is a very tall antenna, as the farmers son was a CB hobbyist - most farmers used it in those days before mobile phones. So I guess I could find out how to connect to that too. I think it is exciting to learn a new useful, potentially very beneficial, skill. :)

 

[sitting]

For those not familiar with HAM radio emergency services, this is from the latest ARRL newsletter:

Are Ham radio RF emissions harmful -- like wifi?

 

[LQB]

For those not familiar with HAM radio emergency services, this is from the latest ARRL newsletter:

Are Ham radio RF emissions harmful -- like wifi?

A little less so at lower frequencies but that is made up for by (usually) higher power. Just as with cell phones, handhelds should not be used in the car cabin unless they are connected to an external antenna (like a mag mount on the roof). In fact the external antenna will greatly improve the performance of the handheld.

When using the handheld on its own antenna, it should be held away from the head - turn up the volume or use an air earphone.

When operating a more powerful base/mobile unit, never use an antenna inside the home - the antenna should always be mounted outside the home and as high as possible. Many operators install these antennas in the attic. If you do, I would recommend using a layer of cheap foil-backed foam insulation (on the floor) so that you minimize radiation into living space.

 

[Zasino]

Many operators install these antennas in the attic. If you do, I would recommend using a layer of cheap foil-backed foam insulation (on the floor) so that you minimize radiation into living space.

The foil also makes for a good ground plane, to increase the antenna efficiency.
[/2cts]

 

[LQB]

Many operators install these antennas in the attic. If you do, I would recommend using a layer of cheap foil-backed foam insulation (on the floor) so that you minimize radiation into living space.

The foil also makes for a good ground plane, to increase the antenna efficiency.
[/2cts]

A good ground plane is required for a quarter wave design (monopole) but unnecessary for half-wave designs. So if you cover the attic floor with foil you could plop a mobile (mag mount) antenna on it and it should work pretty good. But if you use a half-wave design in the attic with the foil, you may worsen the horizon gain due to the ground plane.

 

[sitting]

A little less so at lower frequencies but that is made up for by (usually) higher power. Just as with cell phones, handhelds should not be used in the car cabin unless they are connected to an external antenna

Thank you. Good to know this. And it's wonderful to "talk" with you again. :)

 

[Mark7]

Interesting thread for sure. I recently purchased a Uniden BC75XLT scanner that can receive weather, fire, police, mil, ham, cb, air... and is also frequency programmable. It's a scanner so it can't transmit of course. My intent was to have something that would give me some info as to what might be going on locally in SHTF situations. I was listening to a bit of local Ham communication - definitely interesting and fun.

Ham would be the next step and I can see that it could possibly be very useful in uncertain circumstances. I actually went to a couple classes for Ham licensing about 12 years ago but didn't complete the course or take a test. I have a background in electronics and a good bit of what would be on the test would be somewhat familiar to me. I downloaded the PDF that LQB posted and scanned over it. Looks like a couple weeks or so of cramming and taking practice exams might be enough for me to pass the basic test at least. There are several test locations near Nashville that are testing in April. Definitely going to look into this further. I was going to get a shortwave radio as well but reading here I might be able to kill two birds with one stone.

 

[LQB]

Ham would be the next step and I can see that it could possibly be very useful in uncertain circumstances. I actually went to a couple classes for Ham licensing about 12 years ago but didn't complete the course or take a test. I have a background in electronics and a good bit of what would be on the test would be somewhat familiar to me. I downloaded the PDF that LQB posted and scanned over it. Looks like a couple weeks or so of cramming and taking practice exams might be enough for me to pass the basic test at least. There are several test locations near Nashville that are testing in April. Definitely going to look into this further. I was going to get a shortwave radio as well but reading here I might be able to kill two birds with one stone.

Yes Mark, there is much you can do from an emergency prep/response standpoint if you get your license. And actually, a few hours per day for two days prior to the test should be all you need to pass the test - just keep taking the online test at hamexam.org (or other sites) until you pass consistently, then go take the test. You will have it easier than most with the electronics background.

The MTEARS Net (Middle Tennessee Emergency Amateur Repeater System) links UHF repeaters across the state as documented here: http://www.mtears.org/. The net is primarily concerned with weather emergencies but will be activated in any emergency (such as New Madrid going off). The MTEARS Net is held every Mon night at 8pm - I checked in with them last night.

There are many such HAM nets that are more local (county-level) for the same purpose. These nets will be sources of the most accurate information regarding any emergency that occurs. These nets exist over most of the US and more are coming online continuously. In fact,
there is a surge across the US in new licenses for the very reasons of preparedness and network-based information sharing.

 

[Mark7]

Ham would be the next step and I can see that it could possibly be very useful in uncertain circumstances. I actually went to a couple classes for Ham licensing about 12 years ago but didn't complete the course or take a test. I have a background in electronics and a good bit of what would be on the test would be somewhat familiar to me. I downloaded the PDF that LQB posted and scanned over it. Looks like a couple weeks or so of cramming and taking practice exams might be enough for me to pass the basic test at least. There are several test locations near Nashville that are testing in April. Definitely going to look into this further. I was going to get a shortwave radio as well but reading here I might be able to kill two birds with one stone.

Yes Mark, there is much you can do from an emergency prep/response standpoint if you get your license. And actually, a few hours per day for two days prior to the test should be all you need to pass the test - just keep taking the online test at hamexam.org (or other sites) until you pass consistently, then go take the test. You will have it easier than most with the electronics background.

The MTEARS Net (Middle Tennessee Emergency Amateur Repeater System) links UHF repeaters across the state as documented here: http://www.mtears.org/. The net is primarily concerned with weather emergencies but will be activated in any emergency (such as New Madrid going off). The MTEARS Net is held every Mon night at 8pm - I checked in with them last night.

There are many such HAM nets that are more local (county-level) for the same purpose. These nets will be sources of the most accurate information regarding any emergency that occurs. These nets exist over most of the US and more are coming online continuously. In fact,
there is a surge across the US in new licenses for the very reasons of preparedness and network-based information sharing.

The links and info you shared are just what I was looking for to get started. I am not surprised that there is a surge in interest in HAM. It's good to hear that there are local groups interested in HAM, Tennessee seems to be one of the states where a spirit of self-reliance is strong.

 

[Lindenlea]

For a couple of months now I have been visiting my local Ham Radio club, it was mainly to make contact with such a group, and be able to contact my family both here and the UK if a catastrophe occurred. I must admit the guys (all male and the majority retired - even a 91 year old with plenty of brain power) are a great bunch and are willing to share anything.

Trouble is I don't really want to get into the nuts and bolts and do the Foundation License as I spend all my free time on the internet (mainly reading the forum and Sott) and even that's not enough, the Trainer keeps telling me I'll do fine and just to go for it. I did join up as a member (didn't want to look like I was freeloading) and I bought the Foundation book, which I think is excellent for a beginner. I just don't have the time or inclination at the moment.

Is there any problem with me not doing the license and staying in the periphery, or is that frowned upon by the 'Radio clubs' in general?

 

[LQB]

Is there any problem with me not doing the license and staying in the periphery, or is that frowned upon by the 'Radio clubs' in general?

That's fine Lindenlea - in fact a good first step is the get a VHF/UHF receiver and tune in to the HAM nets, repeaters, etc, and get familiar with the content in various bands and comm protocols. In fact this is encouraged by HAM clubs for those on the fence about getting their license. But as I said in my response to Mark, the amount of your time required to prepare for the test is pretty small if you practice taking the online tests.

The real purpose of the license/test is to prevent the HAM bands from going the way of the public/CB bands, and keeping the bands clear for emergency traffic.

 

[Lindenlea]

Thanks LQB, I think I'll checkout the VHF/UHF receivers and see what the guys recommend, then slowly work my way up from there. I have seen a computer demonstration showing bandwidths etc., but it will be more interesting with my own receiver - more hands on.

I have a USB from the trainer with loads of files showing all aspects of the training questions etc., so I guess I can use some of my computer time to check that out too.

 

[luc]

Thanks LQB, I think I'll checkout the VHF/UHF receivers and see what the guys recommend, then slowly work my way up from there. I have seen a computer demonstration showing bandwidths etc., but it will be more interesting with my own receiver - more hands on.

I have a USB from the trainer with loads of files showing all aspects of the training questions etc., so I guess I can use some of my computer time to check that out too.

That's great to hear - maybe you can also check out the Baofeng UV-5R that was mentioned earlier in this thread. That way you can listen to what's going on in your area and should you choose to get licensed, you can talk to the guys too :)

As for being a club member without being licensed, this is no problem, one of the most active club members in my club here was an unlicensed member for years. I guess you will get some encouragement though ;) But as LQB said, the entry-level test is really very simple, and if it's anything like here in Germany, it's really a matter of doing the online test many times until you know most of the questions by heart... Good luck!

 

[sitting]

For those not familiar with HAM radio emergency services, this is from the latest ARRL newsletter:

Are Ham radio RF emissions harmful -- like wifi?

A little less so at lower frequencies but that is made up for by (usually) higher power.

Hi LQB,

Hope all is well. A question: What about these new wearables? Like Apple watch.
Is it a problem having it in skin contact for a good part of the day? EMF effects? Harmful levels?

Also any problems you see using the ear-pods from Apple? I have those on for extended periods at a time. Should I coil a thin copper wire around the cable to diffuse the EMF emissions?

Thanks in advance.

 

[luc]

Hi LQB,

Hope all is well. A question: What about these new wearables? Like Apple watch.
Is it a problem having it in skin contact for a good part of the day? EMF effects? Harmful levels?

My current understanding is that all modern radio appliances such as cell phones etc. are very harmful, where factors such as proximity of the device, radiation power, duration of exposure, frequency and possibly the modulation/mode used play a role. So I guess the "apple watch" is indeed quite harmful, since you wear it all day long, very close to your body, and it periodically receives and sends digital data at a high frequency, using different protocols such as GSM, 3G etc.

Also any problems you see using the ear-pods from Apple? I have those on for extended periods at a time. Should I coil a thin copper wire around the cable to diffuse the EMF emissions?

As for the earbuds, I avoid using those when my phone (iPhone) is connected to the provider's network - when I use them, I put the phone in flight mode (I mostly use it for listening to podcasts). It's just that I fear the ear-pods could act as an antenna and transmit the RF directly to my brain :( On the other hand, if you use the ear-pods for phone calls, one could argue that this is better in terms of RF exposure than putting the phone to your ear, since you have a bigger distance between you and the RF source. If you are talking about bluetooth ear-plugs, I would avoid them - you're basically putting another harmful transmitter right next to your brain!

Hope this helps, maybe LQB can add more/correct me here.