Ham Radio

[White Tiger]

Welcome and thank you for taking time to join Doomsday Prepper Forums.com. Your presence here is much appreciated. We look forward to your posts, and hope you enjoy the community!

Thank you, interesting place!

Very well said!

Thanks Clydesdale, there is a hope...even if we are nearing an end, of sorts. Whether you believe we are nearing the end of mankinds run here in Earth, or whether you simply believe the destructive financial policy has doomed the US Dollar (and make no mistake, with the reckless spending we have committed to in the last 12 years alone, those in power are treating the dollar as if it cannot be retrieved)...there just isn't any way for anyone with even the slightest understanding of finance...to conclude anythjng other than: this current system is going to continue eroding - our paycheck's are shrinking, while "things" cost more and more.

I am expected to be a good steward. That means I have to prepare for the "season" that is coming. I wouldn't dare to stand in my bare feet in a few inches of snow and laugh at people wearing boots! No, if I find myself in snow, I know I best be lookin' for some boots!

with regard to radio communications I am studying for my hamm radio license!

Hey, we're on the same wavelength (sorry, couldn't resist)! I take my exam this coming Saturday! I feel pretty good about my Technician & General...but studying fir the Extra class is still giving me fits!

...then again, I never was a "math guy"...

Are you using a radio of some sort at this time?

No, I have not been working any frequencies...however; I do have a radio...and she's a vintage beaut! A friend of mine has been "elmering" me along and suggested a Ten Tec Omni D with a digital power supply. I have researched antennas, power, bought equipment. I have the equipment that would allow me to listen - and I'm putting it together to be able to do that...it takes some time to do it right...

...so I'm a license away from having this very essential prep, covered!

How about you?

 

[Clyde]

No, I have not been working any frequencies...however; I do have a radio...and she's a vintage beaut! A friend of mine has been "elmering" me along and suggested a Ten Tec Omni D with a digital power supply. I have researched antennas, power, bought equipment. I have the equipment that would allow me to listen - and I'm putting it together to be able to do that...it takes some time to do it right...

...so I'm a license away from having this very essential prep, covered!

How about you?

I am so behind on my studies! It has been a hectic summer around my place. But then I have never been the most studious person. I do need to get busy on it though.

 

[White Tiger]

I found an iPhone app for the ARRL practice exam - it has some fantastic study tools and keeps track of the wrong answers (and allows you to JUST focus on the weak areas).

Aaaannnddd - since there is no longer a Morse Code requirement....

 

[Clyde]

I found an iPhone app for the ARRL practice exam - it has some fantastic study tools and keeps track of the wrong answers (and allows you to JUST focus on the weak areas).

Aaaannnddd - since there is no longer a Morse Code requirement....

Thank God the Morse Code is out! I would be up a serious creek! I will look to see if there is an android version.

 

[Krime]

why would anyone NOT wanna learn morse code?
might be awesome to know. might have to revert to that post-shtf, i mean dont ham radios run off of electricity?

 

[Hades]

I am 1/2 with Krime on this one, morse code is a definite asset.
Ham radios are just like cell phones, they rely on towers (repeaters) that rely on power source. so yes communication will be different but not stopped. In simplex mode, they will work for hundreds of miles, IF there is nothing in the way , and if they had the power for thier system to run.

Other ham opperators become the repeaters, and transfer messages in all directions of open sight, of each ones personal antanas. FCC public information says there are over 755,ooo ham operaters in US. anyone with the equipment and training, will have alt. power sources. It was proven that anyone with a licence would know they need high ground for thier antanaes, and act accordingly in an emergency. one example would be



I have contemplated this being one of my weak links, we can talk to others in our group for many miles, with walkie talkies. As far as outside traffic, I would be lacking.

 

[White Tiger]

Yes, morse is tempting from that standpoint - I have a friend who developed a website similar to this one - specifically dealing with radios. His absolute PASSION is QRP (low power) over long distance using CW (international morse code). He ALMOST hooked me on morse code with a story about going camping and taking along his "Rock Mite" kit which runs off a battery and MAYBE produces a ,5 watt signal.

Anyway, after he sets up camp, he plugs in a wire antenna, throws it over a tree limb, unwinds a ground wire and starts tapping out some code - a few seconds later he makes contact with someone over 600 miles away!

...I can see it as a useful tool for short messages during/just after a shtf event - it just doesn't excite me right now. For me, the benefits don't YET outweigh the costs of learning code!

See, when you have an HF (High Frequency) rig like mine - my antenna is MY OWN tower. And depending on the antenna I choose - and the Internet is FULL of options - For about $150 I string up a multiband dipole antenna that can reach Vladivostok, Russia - Independence Kansas - or as close as my comms group (30 miles)...and all of this with a deep cell marine battery AND I'll be TALKING to them...not trying to figure out if what I just heard was an extra long "dot"...or an abbreviated "dash"!

...there are also other digital modes where folks use radios & computers to bounce radio signals off the moon and back down to Earth again...but for now, I'll just stick to SSB (Single Side Band) voice - THAT's what charges me up!

 

[White Tiger]

I am 1/2 with Krime on this one, morse code is a definite asset.
Ham radios are just like cell phones, they rely on towers (repeaters) that rely on power source. so yes communication will be different but not stopped. In simplex mode, they will work for hundreds of miles, IF there is nothing in the way , and if they had the power for thier system to run.

Other ham opperators become the repeaters, and transfer messages in all directions of open sight, of each ones personal antanas. FCC public information says there are over 755,ooo ham operaters in US. anyone with the equipment and training, will have alt. power sources. It was proven that anyone with a licence would know they need high ground for thier antanaes, and act accordingly in an emergency. one example would be



I have contemplated this being one of my weak links, we can talk to others in our group for many miles, with walkie talkies. As far as outside traffic, I would be lacking.

This is exactly why I felt drawn to ham radio - thanks for sharing that video!

 

[savageagle]

Not to butt in but..........imagine yourself after your alt power source is all used up, dead battery and you have ventured in to an unknown area in a city. Someone wants what you have so you take shelter in a damaged multi story building. Your pursuers have gone so you start to make your way back down the stairs cautiously. Oops, a bad step and you fall through and find yourself trapped under debris on the second floor. You try and try but cannot get yourself free. it begins to darken outside and you get a bit concerned that you may die here because you cannot get free, you have no water or food. You fall asleep and are woken by voices. Maybe it has been days and your so weak you can't speak loud enough for anyone to hear you. Wait a minute you think to yourself, I know morse code. you struggle and get a hand free and search around in the dark. It's a small piece of metal from the staircase. The broken staircase is just to your right so you take this piece of metal and begin to tap out a message on the metal of the staircase in morse code. Luckily one of the voices you can barely hear is a war Vet who happens to know morse code. He hears the message and you are saved.
I could have gotten my point accross in less words Right? Morse code is priceless and has been used by people who have been trapped under debris after an earthquake and thier lives have been saved because they knew morse code. It's more likley in an earthquake scenerio that at least one rescuer in a group of fireman and policemen would recognise the code and if needed get someone who could understand what you were sending. when it was created it saved many lives in wars and should never be forgotten.
It's worth the time to learn and even if you may not use it someday it may save your life or someone elses.

 

[savageagle]

I have a Yaesu FT-8900 quad band with a quad band mobile vertical. This radio does cross-band repeat and even though I played with it to get familiar with it's functions the only real time I used it was with the volunteer fire dept I belong to. Where I live there are many deep canyon's and this was a traffic accident with double pin ins and two red victims. Red victims are those who need medical attention ASAP or they'll die soon. Our unit radios as well as HT's were down below and had a difficult time getting radio traffic to dispatch. I 4wheeled my 4runner right up the hill, took a minute to setup the cross-band and it acted just like a repeater to relay radio traffic to dispatch so we could get a helo to our location ASAP for the red victims. I have not used this feature on any call since but I know I would never be without a radio with cross-band repeat. It is in my truck but could easily be setup on a hilltop as it has been before using batteries and solar panels. I love the radio and it's cross-band feature.

 

[Fordrocks1986]

All this talk about ham radio makes me want a ham sandwich

 

[savageagle]

Hey fordrocks, make me one too........with mustard please.

 

[Fordrocks1986]

Hey fordrocks, make me one too........with mustard please.

Coming right up I love mustard

 

[savageagle]

Ever heard of APRS? automatic packet reporting system. It has come along way since I started 20 years ago. it uses a radio, TNC (terminal node controller) and aPC, desktop if your operating a base station or laptop if your mobile, and a GPS which some radios now have GPS and APRS (with a TNC) incorporated in the radio. Back in mid 90's I belonged to Clovis amatuer radio pioneers (CARP) and for a time we were quite involved with APRS with Fresno County OES, RACES (radio amatuer communication emergency services) and locally the Central Valley Weather Watchers which was sponsored by KSEE 24 and Shaun boyd who has left that station. We had a small group of guys and gals who would run APRS both as mobiles and base stations. Anyone within line of sight on the same frequency running APRS could see anyone else on this network, either a base or mobile. Your position is reported via your radio and would show up on the APRS screen on your laptop or desktop. There was a funnel cloud coming down the valley along Hwy 5 near Gustine. At Gustine it turned east and with the mobiles that were out following it and inputting the position reports as to it's approximate position everyone coul;d see where this funnel cloud was. As the funnel moved east towards clovis all on this network who were running APRS could see the same as everyone else. The program saves all the input data as a track file and it can be played back so you end up with an animation of the funnels movements.
APRS can be used in many ways. PLace a system in both your vehicles and track where your truck is and goes. It is used at the Itidarod Race where all the dog sleds are tracked in this manner. The sleds in the case didn't have PC's, just a radio, TNC and GPS and with the new tachnology radios your radio with incorporated TNC, GPS and APRS is all you need for it to automatically transmit position reports back to a station with a PC and monitor. Back east where tornados are plenty, ARES (amatuer radiuo emergency services) uses APRS systems to track tornados.
The program APRS has come a long way and with newer radios with internal TNC's and GPS it's a powerful and reliable software that has helped to save lives. There are so many features and uses to it. ARES and RACES are also very great organizations associated with ham radio. They are public service groups with the focus on bringing ham radio operators and emergency services together.
I'm sure there are local ARES and RACES groups wherever you live so get your amatuer radio license and join your local ARES or RACES group. You'll be glad you did. I have been a member since 1994 and love it. It's not only fun but it's very serious business with great training and wonderful people. Once you become a licensed ham operator you'll find so many aspects to the hobby that you'll never be bored.

 

[savageagle]

Where's my ham sandwich? Oops, I found it............got so hungry with you mentioning a ham sandwich I had to go make one.
My Yaesu FT-270 VHF handheld has brought up machines (repeaters) 160 miles away on 5 watts, Line-of-sight of course. Up in Kings Canyon Nat'l park there is a vista point near Cherry Gap that is approximately at 7000' or so. From that location I can see Mount Hamilton in San Jose with my telescope. I used to head up there when the "X" used to go visit her sister and with the handheld at 5 watts I could bring up the loma prieta repeater and enable the auto-patch to call her on the phone. (An auto-patch is a radio connected to a repeater controller connected to landline telephone line which allows the user to make calls from his/her radio to a landline phone or cel phone).
As you go up in frequency it takes less power to make the same line of sight trip. At a frequency of 1.2 gigahertz (1200 megahertz) the power needed would be in the milliwatt range, just a small portion of what it took at 146 megahertz.
A radio with an extended recieve range or a scanner that at least covers 30 megahertz up to 900 megahertz is a good investment. most local agencies are in this range with some limited federal agencies in there as well. A good all-mode short-wave reciever is even better as military and lot's of federal agencie's good stuff is below 30 megahertz. You can with a long wire antenna hear lot's of stuff from all around the world very easily. There are lot's of radios and scanners that can be setup very easy with a small solar panel and an average car battery.
For me a radio is a must and as modified I can connect to FRS, GMRS and recieve FM broadcasts for news. It even recieves AM airband (Airports/aircraft) and weather. When I run out of batteries in goes the rechargeable battery pack and I can hike with the small solar panel attached to the top of my backpack keeping it charged.
I wouldn't go anywhere without it.

 

[Poseidon]

I just thought some of y'all might be interested in a new released dual band talkie.
I just bought 4 of them on Amazon for $42 ea. transmit 136mhz-150mhz. And 440-450mhz 5watts.
Baofeng uv-5r they are very worth the money. Several YouTube videos with hams have these things rated great. I have bought a lot of ham gear in the last 40 yrs. but this tops the list.

 

[White Tiger]

I just thought some of y'all might be interested in a new released dual band talkie.
I just bought 4 of them on Amazon for $42 ea. transmit 136mhz-150mhz. And 440-450mhz 5watts.
Baofeng uv-5r they are very worth the money. Several YouTube videos with hams have these things rated great. I have bought a lot of ham gear in the last 40 yrs. but this tops the list.

I just bought the UV-3R, pretty sweet little rig, eh?

 

[Poseidon]

Yes but the 5r towers above it . At $42 you can afford lose 1 and won't care. Plus transmit out of the band could be handy.
I had a alinko way back b4 I got married. 26yrs ago. It had the cross band repeat in it . I also had the big diamond vertical . With the stacked 14 element cushcraft beams it was killer at 100'. Talked to my wife 100 miles away lots of times. "rambling ham". Sorry
These are what the Dr ordered for a local communication system. Btw I used to contest using cw all weekend years ago .love it

 

[savageagle]

Hello Poseidon, ke6hnr here, great to have another Ham aboard. 25+ years under my belt as a tech and involved with ARES and OES here in sierra nevadas, central valley. I checked out that radio and at that price a few would be good for "go bags" that OES/ARES members could stuff in them for all emergencies. Have a few HT's already but one more is always good even at a 1/4 of what the others have cost me. Alinco's and Yeasu's..........Anyway, welcome aboard...................73's.

 

[Poseidon]

Thanks Tim , my wife of 26 yrs had to get her general as a prerequisite to marry me. Lol
Well my UV-5r just arrived. Thank you UPS... I can't say enough about them . They will cover GMRS bands for the "Hamless"
Is that a word?? Extra batteries were only $10 wow .. Battery is lithium ..expect 18hrs. They will hold charge for months if you leave them in the car or BO bag. Range is a real 4 mile that I tested , with supplied antenna.
I guess one of us should start DDP net , say 40 or 80 m. Not sure I want my call on the public forum. Would like a email Tim
.... [email protected]. That's me

 

[savageagle]

A prerequisite to marriage? Thats funny...............I guess I got lucky with the new Gfreind, Marriage is there somewhere, soon, and she is dying to get her license. she'll pass no prob.
A DDP's net would be cool too but i'm a tech so 40m and 80m would be out of my league. Maybe a VHF or UHF local net would work around here. My antenna's are at 60' and i'm at 2700' and reach 100+ miles to the south and north and 140 miles or so to San Jose to the west on 146.xxx. I bet i'd get many to participate.
[email protected] . . . . . . . anytime poseidon.............you take care 73's

 

[Clyde]

I just thought some of y'all might be interested in a new released dual band talkie.
I just bought 4 of them on Amazon for $42 ea. transmit 136mhz-150mhz. And 440-450mhz 5watts.
Baofeng uv-5r they are very worth the money. Several YouTube videos with hams have these things rated great. I have bought a lot of ham gear in the last 40 yrs. but this tops the list.

I assume you need a HAM license to use these.
I figure I will buy them now and hold on to them until I get my license.
Thanks for the info!
I will be checking these out.

 

[Poseidon]

You don't need a license on the frs or gmrs bands.. These talkies will cover that band too.. I really like them ..
I turned 2 of them on over 18 hrs ago. Still running. These lithium batteries have an exceptional life..

 

[White Tiger]

You don't need a license on the frs or gmrs bands.. These talkies will cover that band too.. I really like them ..
I turned 2 of them on over 18 hrs ago. Still running. These lithium batteries have an exceptional life..

Hey been awhile since I checked into this thread...wanted to follow up on this...with your extensive background in ARES and such, you are probably already aware...but if anyone plans on using FRS or GMRS bands during an emergency they will have some HUGE problems! There are only a few frequencies and there may be a few thousand folks trying to utilize those (6 to 12?) "channels"...the system will be severely overloaded. The same would apply to the 40 channel CB's - a significant emergency in a populated area would render FMR, GMRS, and CB practically useless!

That is why I have a ham license - it opens up literally thousands of frequencies for just this type of communication. I have a base station and several HT's (handhelds) for 2 meter - and I have a HF base station covering 80m - 15m. I just finished equipping two anti-EMP kits for two of my vehicles (one more to go) that have 10m radios, power supplies, dipoles, and 50' of coax cable (and instructions on how to set it all up)!

Communications is very overlooked and unplanned for by many folks trying to set supplies aside for everything from disasters due to tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. - to the "end of the world" scenarios. I think we all need to review our plans relating to this subject!

 

[Potter County Man]

why would anyone NOT wanna learn morse code?
might be awesome to know. might have to revert to that post-shtf, i mean dont ham radios run off of electricity?

Morse Code has ran it's course.
Since it is no longer a license requirement - not many if any people bothers to learn it anymore.
When communicating in a emergency situation, it is much easier to use a TNC and use some type of digital mode - which is also a 100% duty cycle.

 

[savageagle]

Ham radio's do run off electricity of some sort. Remember the old style bike lights with the small generator? I have a few of those generators and my mtn bike has one on it but it doesn't run a light, it runs to charge a motorcycle battery in turn which powers a handheld radio. It could easily be adapted to run off a car generator connected to any sort of peddle bike and run lots of other devices or charge battery systems.
As for morse code, it still is very important and does not require electricity. You can use a solar flashlight or one of those crank-up style lights and still have the ability to send morse code and we all know how far light can travel.
Myself I took my test back in 94 when the code was not a requirement but still learned it just in case. There are many modes to transmit morse code. A log against a tree in the forest, the ring on your finger against a pipe if you happen to be stranded under debris of a collapsed building. Many scenarios come to mind.
In many emergency situations the power grid may be down and your TNC and digital modes will be useless unless you have prepared with some sort of battery system that can be maintained and if your tansmitting you'd better hope that someone is listening for that digital signal with all the same equipment.
I think morse code should be part of the license requirements for the upper license classes. It is and has been a very important mode of communications and has saved many lives when nothing else was available. WE should not discard morse code in favor of the new digital modes because when all else fails morse code does not require any software or hardware and a stick and tree can do it.

 

[Potter County Man]

Ham radio's do run off electricity of some sort. Remember the old style bike lights with the small generator? I have a few of those generators and my mtn bike has one on it but it doesn't run a light, it runs to charge a motorcycle battery in turn which powers a handheld radio. It could easily be adapted to run off a car generator connected to any sort of peddle bike and run lots of other devices or charge battery systems.
As for Morse code, it still is very important and does not require electricity. You can use a solar flashlight or one of those crank-up style lights and still have the ability to send Morse code and we all know how far light can travel.
Myself I took my test back in 94 when the code was not a requirement but still learned it just in case. There are many modes to transmit Morse code. A log against a tree in the forest, the ring on your finger against a pipe if you happen to be stranded under debris of a collapsed building. Many scenarios come to mind.
In many emergency situations the power grid may be down and your TNC and digital modes will be useless unless you have prepared with some sort of battery system that can be maintained and if your transmitting you'd better hope that someone is listening for that digital signal with all the same equipment.
I think Morse code should be part of the license requirements for the upper license classes. It is and has been a very important mode of communications and has saved many lives when nothing else was available. WE should not discard Morse code in favor of the new digital modes because when all else fails Morse code does not require any software or hardware and a stick and tree can do it.

Amateur Radio uses International Code, which is a form of the old Morse Telegraphers code, but not the same..
One reason why it is not feasible to use it anymore is due to the fact that your rescuers probably do not know it, at least anything beyond the S.O.S they hear on the television.
Most hams are too dumb to know CW even if their life depended upon it, and the reason why code was dropped as a license requirement was because the rest of the world dropped it as a license requirement.
The only people that likes CW is people that uses CW. They usually insist that their children and cohorts learns it before they get their license, mainly to perpetuate the hobby of CW and also so they will have someone to communicate to when they get old and decide to use it on the radio.
Digital modes on the other hand can even be sent and received with acoustical coupling and a cell phone with the right app.
With 65% of all licensee's in the USA only holding a Technician Class License, and a Technician cannot work Digital modes in the lower portions of the HF bands, most organizations are relenting and suggesting using it on the FM repeaters...
We have turned into a handheld carrying radio service........

 

[savageagle]

don't call "ham's" dumb, even a tech license requires some technical knowledge and someone who is "dumb" could not pass the test. Hams are a breed who are educated in a technical world about a broad range of technical fields. They aren't dumb, they are educated and belong maybe to alot of others as members of the "geek" club because of the areas of education.
I agree with you on the biggest reason why CW is being dropped but in the history of war and CW, CW has a wonderful and serious history and has had an importance within communications beyond dispute.
I don't like CW but I learned it and don't use it up to now. I want it as a backup as I may in the future be in a situation where CW may be a mode that could save my life or the lives of others.
I don't like to see it forgotten but what you gonna do when everyone is moving to other modes?

 

[Potter County Man]

I'm sorry Savageagle for hurting your feelings, but I digress.
I have proctored 13 VE test sessions.
Out of those 13 test sessions, we have failed to produce even one real ham.
The youngest person to pass was 7 years old.
The problem with your analogy is the fact that the ARRL provides both the questions and the answers to the test. The tests themselves requires no knowledge of anything electronic or amateur radio related. All you have to do is have a good memory and be able to retain enough of what was taught in a ham in a day class - to pass the 35 question multiple guess exam. Once a person passes the test, their knowledge is quickly purged and they forget most everything that they had learned to pass the test.

We have a group of amateurs here that only has an Advanced Class License.
They keep their Advanced license as a trophy, like the Red Badge of Courage.
They think that just because they had to pass a test @ 15 words per a minute copy, that it makes them something.

I myself sucks at sending code, yet I cannot stand to listen to code sent at anything less then 20 words a minute. Its like I am sitting there copying it and I am saying to my radio - lets go already, come on, I want more words...

A 7 year old child cannot comprehend electricity or the devastation it can cause if you come in contact with it, nor can they comprehend that it can kill them, many adults are no better off.
Even truck drivers with their thousands of watts amplifiers for their CB radio's do not understand the basic principals of broadcasting or the lethal power their amplifier produces.
Even the fact that when you transmit with more then 50 watts on two meters, you should do a field survey of your signal - against the proximity of everyone in the neighborhood.. I wonder how many people would be guilty of this offense - had the FCC came and inspected their station license and logs.

No one displays their station license anymore in their radio shack and no one keeps a log of 2 meter contacts.
Everyone thinks that the rules are just something that you have to know - just long enough to get the license, and then you can do as you please and they quickly forget about the rules.

We had a group of amateurs here that were written up recently for not using their proper call signs at proper times. They thought that because they were only talking two meters simplex that no one of any importance could hear them and that they could act like CB'rs and that no one would care or know that they were breaking the rules.

When the newly licensed hams came across this group, it was quickly discovered that they did not want to associate with those that could not follow the rules and many people just shut their radios off and refused to talk to anyone, while others complained to the ARRL and the FCC that there was a bunch of freebander CB'rs using their frequencies.

When those people were written up, they retaliated against anyone that they could think of that might have caused the problems for them. The whole time not realizing that the FCC was listening to them and recording everything that they were doing - from that point on. The next step will be to call those people in to a field office for reexamination and possibly suspending their licenses.

The sad point is that these people are too old to study and pass the test again and if faced with this dilemma will probably just let their license lapse.
If these guys were in fact knowledgeable, they could show up at any field office, any day of the week and pass any exam given to them. In fact, the only way their got their license in the first place was by putting $100 in an envelope and giving it to the examiner. This is the other reason why there is many amateur radio licenses in my neighborhood but no real hams! The ones that came by their license honestly were disgusted by those that did not and they didn't want to talk to those other people, so they just turned their radios off and quit participating in amateur radio all together at the local level.

 

[Clyde]

I now have the dubious task of moving my mobile rig to a new car. The old one was uber-easy to set up as the battery was in the trunk.... The new car is going to be a bit more troublesome as it not only has the battery in the engine compartment, but it is a 2014, and i am a little nervous about all the computers in the car.

Has anyone out there installed a rig in a late model care, say 2012 or newer?