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Learn me about radio communications
Posted on 5/5/15 at 2:16 pm
Posted on 5/5/15 at 2:16 pm
I want to get a radio for emergency comms, weather, shtf, just seeing whats going on around me, if i break my legs deep in the woods... Whatever else you can think of.
I dont know shite about this stuff. Ideas?
I dont know shite about this stuff. Ideas?
6
Posted on 5/5/15 at 2:32 pm to chickman1313
For land, Cellphone is your best bet, on the water you would use a VHF radio.
Posted on 5/5/15 at 2:49 pm to chickman1313
Go HAM or go home.
I'm not into it, but my buddy is and he says in the event of an EMP attack those are the only radios that will work.
Look up HAM radios on google. There is a whole network of private citizens who still use them.
I'm not into it, but my buddy is and he says in the event of an EMP attack those are the only radios that will work.
Look up HAM radios on google. There is a whole network of private citizens who still use them.
Posted on 5/5/15 at 3:07 pm to chickman1313
My CB @ 35w would listen and talk around 15 miles normally. On a really good day, 30. Sometimes I'd randomly pick up stuff from around the country also. Amped is another story.
You want a stationary setup or mobile?
They do make small CB radios that are basically just a microphone that you hook up in your truck.
You want a stationary setup or mobile?
They do make small CB radios that are basically just a microphone that you hook up in your truck.
Posted on 5/5/15 at 3:10 pm to Clyde Tipton
lookin at HAM radios now, looks pretty cool for preparedness and as a hobby. didn't realize this, but they have handheld ones as well as ones for your home, pretty cool
Posted on 5/5/15 at 3:16 pm to Hammertime
quote:
My CB @ 35w would listen and talk around 15 miles normally. On a really good day, 30. Sometimes I'd randomly pick up stuff from around the country also. Amped is another story.
You want a stationary setup or mobile?
They do make small CB radios that are basically just a microphone that you hook up in your truck.
I wouldn't advertise 35W CB on an open forum. Legal limit on a CB is 4W.
Posted on 5/5/15 at 3:19 pm to chickman1313
This is where I got my shite GI Joe's
You're supposed to have a license to run HAM IIRC. The 10m ones also allow you to get on the regular CB channels. I think Ranger and Galaxy are the good ones
You're supposed to have a license to run HAM IIRC. The 10m ones also allow you to get on the regular CB channels. I think Ranger and Galaxy are the good ones
quote:IDGAF really. I've done much worse stuff than use too much power on a CB radio in my life. Mine has been sitting in the closet since I sold the POS Ford. The Mexicans and blacks run like 20kW
I wouldn't advertise 35W CB on an open forum
This post was edited on 5/5/15 at 3:23 pm
Posted on 5/5/15 at 3:22 pm to chickman1313
Work wants me to get involved witht he HAM Radio team. We have HAM Radios setup and a team in place for disasters. He gave me the study guide and other info to look over. Maybe one day I will
Posted on 5/5/15 at 3:29 pm to chickman1313
Ham is the way to go. You'll be able to customize to what kind of coverage you want: local, regional, continental, worldwide, outer space. Be prepared to drop some cash for the gear, though.
A few points:
- NOT EMP proof unless it's an old tube-driven, non-solid state rig.
- Yes, you have to pass a test, but it's ridiculously easy. Actually, there are three license classes: Technician, General, and Extra. You're a bit limited with what you can do with the Tech license; if all you are concerned with is local area, Tech is fine. If you want to go beyond that, upgrade to General. Extra class is nice to have/bragging rights, but not really necessary. There are a lot of free practice tests online; I know QRZ.com has them, there are others.
EDIT: The Tech and General are ridiculously easy. The Extra is a PITA unless you have great rote-memorization skills or a BSEE.
- Nice feature about having an Amateur Radio license: you can legally drive around listening to public service (PD/FD/etc). Your radio is a transceiver, not a scanner; also, given that hams do a lot of emergency/disaster communications, there are usually carve-outs in local laws to allow it.
I've been a ham since '87, so let me know what questions you have.
A few points:
- NOT EMP proof unless it's an old tube-driven, non-solid state rig.
- Yes, you have to pass a test, but it's ridiculously easy. Actually, there are three license classes: Technician, General, and Extra. You're a bit limited with what you can do with the Tech license; if all you are concerned with is local area, Tech is fine. If you want to go beyond that, upgrade to General. Extra class is nice to have/bragging rights, but not really necessary. There are a lot of free practice tests online; I know QRZ.com has them, there are others.
EDIT: The Tech and General are ridiculously easy. The Extra is a PITA unless you have great rote-memorization skills or a BSEE.
- Nice feature about having an Amateur Radio license: you can legally drive around listening to public service (PD/FD/etc). Your radio is a transceiver, not a scanner; also, given that hams do a lot of emergency/disaster communications, there are usually carve-outs in local laws to allow it.
I've been a ham since '87, so let me know what questions you have.
This post was edited on 5/5/15 at 3:31 pm
Posted on 5/5/15 at 3:37 pm to MaroonOldCrow
Plus you can get a cool license plate
Posted on 5/5/15 at 3:42 pm to Hammertime
quote:
Plus you can get a cool license plate
That's debatable.
The ones they issue in Tennessee are pretty sweet, since they don't say "Amateur Radio" or "Ham Radio" on them with some goofy graphic. It's just your FCC call sign on the same "Emergency" plate that they issue to Rescue Squad, EMTs, EMA, etc for use on their personal vehicles.
Posted on 5/5/15 at 3:53 pm to MaroonOldCrow
The ones here say "HAM OPERATOR" with the call sign
Posted on 5/5/15 at 4:30 pm to Hammertime
SOB's are destroying this country quicker than a Bat can frick, and I'm sposed to worry about a CB trowing over 4 watts?Posted on 5/5/15 at 8:18 pm to hogdaddy
quote:
For land, Cellphone is your best bet
Right up until a hurricane comes and knocks out all the power. Cell towers will run for a little while, now that most of them have generators, but they will go down without fuel supply.
When Katrina hit, I was working at a hospital on the Northshore. We had a HEAR radio, cellphones, internet, landlines and Sat phones. Once the power was out, it took maybe a day for all cell coverage to disappear. The HEAR radio didn't work at all, landlines and Internet were trashed, and Sat phones were virtually useless unless you could find just the right place to stand to talk. Forget about sitting in your office or walking around.
The HAM operators in the area saved our asses by relaying messages to the powers that be.
I became a HAM shortly after that.
LC
Posted on 5/5/15 at 8:29 pm to LongueCarabine
You can do really well with a 4W CB if you set it up right. I had a Wilson 5000 on the roof of my old truck that was all professionally installed and I could receive anything. I could reach a few miles down the interstate on any day. I wish I had room in my car for one. The old one caught NOAA weather stations which was cool as frick in hurricanes.
Posted on 5/5/15 at 8:47 pm to Hammertime
I don't care what you did or didn't do. All I know is you don't want the guys in the gray vans rolling up and issuing you a ticket or taking your stuff.
10M can be modified illegallyto get 11M (CB band).
Yeah the Mexicans in Mexico run a LOT of power...but the FCC can't ruin their stuff. The dudes on the Superbowl (Channel 6) run plenty of power too...
Galaxy's are hard to find. Rangers have to be modified.
Yes, you have to have a license to run amateur setup.
Personally, I'd never get an amateur radio license...Why? If you piss someone off on the road..and they look at your tags...they can easily get your address...qrz.com unless you have a PO Box.
10M can be modified illegallyto get 11M (CB band).
Yeah the Mexicans in Mexico run a LOT of power...but the FCC can't ruin their stuff. The dudes on the Superbowl (Channel 6) run plenty of power too...
Galaxy's are hard to find. Rangers have to be modified.
Yes, you have to have a license to run amateur setup.
Personally, I'd never get an amateur radio license...Why? If you piss someone off on the road..and they look at your tags...they can easily get your address...qrz.com unless you have a PO Box.
Posted on 5/5/15 at 8:57 pm to NASA_ISS_Tiger
I think mine is a Galaxy 959 and I had a Wilson 1000 on the roof. I had a ram mount in front of the console. Pretty nice little setup that I used every day. I'd have to do some serious thinking to fit it in my new truck
Posted on 5/5/15 at 10:27 pm to NASA_ISS_Tiger
quote:
Personally, I'd never get an amateur radio license...Why? If you piss someone off on the road..and they look at your tags...they can easily get your address...qrz.com unless you have a PO Box.
You realize there's no requirement to get the tags, right?
Posted on 5/6/15 at 7:32 am to MaroonOldCrow
Yep. As an amateur radio operator myself...I know. That's just the reason I wouldn't get one.
People were just saying how cool it is to have one...I was just saying the negative side of the statement.
People were just saying how cool it is to have one...I was just saying the negative side of the statement.
Posted on 5/6/15 at 7:33 am to MaroonOldCrow
I've seen some handheld ham radios, would those be a good starting point? regarding the licensing, if I were to just get one and piddle around and see what I can pick up, I don't need a license correct? only to broadcast?
I do want to broadcast eventually though, so I plan on getting a license.
but lets say I have a ham handheld radio and some shite goes down tomorrow and I need to get in touch with people, assuming I have the proper licenses, how would I even find them on the radio?
lets say there was a major weather event hitting our state, a hurricane, where would I go on the radio to find out about warnings and what not?
I do want to broadcast eventually though, so I plan on getting a license.
but lets say I have a ham handheld radio and some shite goes down tomorrow and I need to get in touch with people, assuming I have the proper licenses, how would I even find them on the radio?
lets say there was a major weather event hitting our state, a hurricane, where would I go on the radio to find out about warnings and what not?
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