That's a good thing Sam, clubs can be very helpful in assisting you in getting your license and also in teaching you the various aspects of amateur radio. It's not just picking up a radio and talking to random people. Being a proper doesn't mean that you're going to know everything there is to know about everything that you want to know but rather that you studied the things that you think you need and then at some point you can put those things into practice. Some folks don't think they need to get a license... Which is fine for them I'm sure, until they actually start using the radio in a normal environment and they don't know how to use the radio properly or they don't know proper procedures, and worse they use a radio system on a licensed set of bandwidth and get caught doing so and there are big fines for that. So the main thing is safety first including your pocketbook...
Maybe they will come in useful before SHTF in any runup. But I get your point. I need to adjust how I think about these things in the runup to all this. Since we all know its coming.
Excellent write-up. I’m an RF engineer and an Extra class ham. We talk about this being a ticket to learn. I practice, run experiments, drill often enough to stay proficient and for sure it takes effort to have your shi* together to be useful when needed. There is a wide dynamic range in capabilities and knowledge and being limited to FRS will certainly block a lot of learning.
If you’re hesitant, I’d get to know a ham or two and you might find there’s something there worth chasing. How about taking a radio and a long wire on your next hiking or camping trip and chatting with folks two states away on 5Watts as you sip a cocoa (or bourbon) by the campfire? How about building a Winlink gateway as a community service project, and during a disaster being able to send health and welfare emails for your neighbors to their people?
I haven’t learned to farm or sew or wrench on small engines - so knowing how to get power and communicate is my barter currency. Well and silver :)
The practical reason for licensing is that a SHTF doomsday scenario is infinitely less likely than a natural disaster. For the latter, your unlicensed radio privileges are legally limited to calling for emergency services. Your licensed privileges will enable you to get on the nets and participate in local recovery. As an Extra Class ham, I have no problem with unlicensed preppers as long as they comply with these rules. We had a steady stream of preppers coming in for FCC testing with no intentions of ever going any deeper than some cheap Chinese UHF/VHF HTs for the bug out bag.
So not trying to be facetious but if the SHTF does one really think they’ll need a license or just the equipment and knowledge?
I've been interested in amateur radio for a bit. Found a local club that's hosting a Technician class this fall.
That's a good thing Sam, clubs can be very helpful in assisting you in getting your license and also in teaching you the various aspects of amateur radio. It's not just picking up a radio and talking to random people. Being a proper doesn't mean that you're going to know everything there is to know about everything that you want to know but rather that you studied the things that you think you need and then at some point you can put those things into practice. Some folks don't think they need to get a license... Which is fine for them I'm sure, until they actually start using the radio in a normal environment and they don't know how to use the radio properly or they don't know proper procedures, and worse they use a radio system on a licensed set of bandwidth and get caught doing so and there are big fines for that. So the main thing is safety first including your pocketbook...
Maybe they will come in useful before SHTF in any runup. But I get your point. I need to adjust how I think about these things in the runup to all this. Since we all know its coming.
When the SHTF who cares about a license ?
A very good argument. Time to get out the ARRL books, cuz the best hope when SHTF, is return to normal… that’s when it matters. 👍📻
AG6WR
Excellent write-up. I’m an RF engineer and an Extra class ham. We talk about this being a ticket to learn. I practice, run experiments, drill often enough to stay proficient and for sure it takes effort to have your shi* together to be useful when needed. There is a wide dynamic range in capabilities and knowledge and being limited to FRS will certainly block a lot of learning.
If you’re hesitant, I’d get to know a ham or two and you might find there’s something there worth chasing. How about taking a radio and a long wire on your next hiking or camping trip and chatting with folks two states away on 5Watts as you sip a cocoa (or bourbon) by the campfire? How about building a Winlink gateway as a community service project, and during a disaster being able to send health and welfare emails for your neighbors to their people?
I haven’t learned to farm or sew or wrench on small engines - so knowing how to get power and communicate is my barter currency. Well and silver :)
I will pay the appropriate fees to the agency charged with collecting those after it hits the fan…….😑
Sounds like a great way to fight for our death(s) defending the WEF.
The practical reason for licensing is that a SHTF doomsday scenario is infinitely less likely than a natural disaster. For the latter, your unlicensed radio privileges are legally limited to calling for emergency services. Your licensed privileges will enable you to get on the nets and participate in local recovery. As an Extra Class ham, I have no problem with unlicensed preppers as long as they comply with these rules. We had a steady stream of preppers coming in for FCC testing with no intentions of ever going any deeper than some cheap Chinese UHF/VHF HTs for the bug out bag.