Is It Time to Get a Ham Radio?

Which is a proxy question for the real question: How close do you think this country is to collapse and totalitarianism?

In a fractured nation with a toxic public square, ham radio -- even in this always-online digital age -- is a thriving part of civil society. It's a signal in the noise. And what's more, it's a robustly American institution. But more on that in a moment.
Ham radio is booming, spurred on by several trends. Covid lockdowns forced people to stay home. Old radios were dusted off, while thousands of new ham operators were licensed to take to the airwaves.
...
Many come to ham radio through prepping. The hobby's usefulness in a grid-down situation was demonstrated in the Maui fires, when amateur radio operators stepped in after the cell phone system went down, passing along information to civilians and first responders alike. The nature of ham radio clears away the fringiest of preppers. It is governed by the Federal Communications Commission; it requires an exam, license, and registration with the federal government. That leaves the rest of us -- every American who recalls the empty store shelves at the height of the pandemic and every Texan who remembers the deadly freeze of 2021 -- to benefit from ham radio.
...

What makes ham radio so uniquely American?
First, it's an enduring public square. It was the first social media, but it carries on without the bitterness and acrimony on social media platforms now. Part of this is because it's not anonymous. Operators are required to identify themselves by their call signs every 10 minutes that they are on the air and at the end of every conversation. And part of it is because the FCC has rules against profane language on public frequencies, and the ham community is largely self-policing.
On the ham radio airwaves, connections are made, civilities are exchanged, and contacts are often recorded in logbooks (either on pencil and paper or online). Deeper relationships can form through local amateur radio clubs and meetups, but even casual chats provide the connection Americans clearly crave.
It has been said ham radio is "a hobby, where you use the hobby to talk about the hobby." That's true, but let's check back with Robert D. Putnam. Bowling Alone was never really about bowling -- it was about community.
Next, ham radio is ruthlessly DIY. In an age of throwaway electronics and user-friendly interfaces, ham radio operators look down on mere "appliance operators." Hams will build their own radios from kits, and then they'll cobble together their own antennas from trash, old speaker wire, and attitude. There's a bustling YouTube community of hams to help new licensees with the more complicated aspects of the hobby. But DIY -- known as homebrewing in the community -- is the goal. You might even call it "self-reliance."
Ham radio is also inexpensive and service-oriented. Financially, the barrier to entry is low. Handheld ham radios can be had for as little as $25, though "shack in a box" transceivers can cost thousands of dollars. Hams put their radios, their resources, and their skills to work for their communities. Many hams build "go boxes," with radios and solar panel systems that let them operate in areas without power or working infrastructure.

Posted by: Ace at 02:56 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 First???

Posted by: stu-mick-o-sucks at September 04, 2023 02:57 PM (DsA2n)

2 mmm. ham.

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at September 04, 2023 02:58 PM (krqg6)

3 Nellie Ohr says YES!

Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 02:59 PM (rrd08)

4 I don't think the country continues if/when the left steals another election. Likely in 2024. This is probably a very good idea.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at September 04, 2023 02:59 PM (d2bW3)

5 Oh hi

We are a ham radio community

Posted by: Sassy at September 04, 2023 02:59 PM (xSICi)

6 If I make a HAM radio Im hoping Id be able to contact people from other multiverses and find out which one has Trump as President of the World for life, and all groomers on earth are jettisoned to the planet Uranus

Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger - Longing to Lie in Zooey Deschanel's Bosom for Comfort at September 04, 2023 02:59 PM (VTu1l)

7 I also think taking away AM radio in cars is idiotic. But Biden wants that gone, as well.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at September 04, 2023 03:00 PM (d2bW3)

8 While useful, it's undoubtedly highly monitored....

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at September 04, 2023 03:00 PM (N1tpc)

9 Wasn't it an Irish hammer who kept the Cosmonaut informed about what was really happening in Moscow during the Soviet overthrow and failed counterrevolution??

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at September 04, 2023 03:01 PM (krqg6)

10 I also think taking away AM radio in cars is idiotic. But Biden wants that gone, as well.

**************

Seriously, what in the fucking hell is wrong with this illegitimate administration?

Ban ceiling fans, AM radios, meats, gas stoves WTF?

FUCK

OFF

Posted by: The Unvaxxed and Unmasked Ranger - Longing to Lie in Zooey Deschanel's Bosom for Comfort at September 04, 2023 03:01 PM (VTu1l)

11 We are not amused.

Posted by: Pork Rectum Community at September 04, 2023 03:01 PM (DsA2n)

12 This is something I really should do. Wish rhis house had one of the tv antenna towers, like other houses in the neighborhood. I do know of one house with a large antenna tower.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at September 04, 2023 03:02 PM (ouTlx)

13 MMMM - ham. Second cousin to bacon.

I approve of any communication device made of these meats. Unfortunately, neither would not survive a Boswell breakfast.

Posted by: Boswell at September 04, 2023 03:02 PM (K+UlC)

14 can the gov shut it down then, or would it be hard for them to do that?

Posted by: ziggggyyyyeeee at September 04, 2023 03:03 PM (JbT0v)

15 Is Hamm's Beer still around? Haven't seen that in decades.

Posted by: Mark1971 at September 04, 2023 03:04 PM (xPl2J)

16 How close do you think this country is to collapse and totalitarianism?

Collapse? Not for a while. There's a lot of piled up wealth and infrastructure to destroy before that happens.

Totalitarianism? We're on totalitarianism's doorstep. They're still figuring out how to manipulate local law enforcement into doing their dirty work. Kind of like the SS did a few generations ago.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at September 04, 2023 03:04 PM (roH4R)

17 Fun fact: until 2007 the HQ was a Ham radio service with comments delivered via morse code on a piggyback frequency.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at September 04, 2023 03:05 PM (wsSEe)

18 They used Ham radio to communicate from Crystal Peak. I'm not saying Skynet's gonna happen, but I'm not saying it won't.

Posted by: Archimedes at September 04, 2023 03:05 PM (I/Qkd)

19 can the gov shut it down then, or would it be hard for them to do that?
Posted by: ziggggyyyyeeee

The FCC would activate jammers.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at September 04, 2023 03:06 PM (wsSEe)

20
While useful, it's undoubtedly highly monitored....
Posted by: Formerly Virginian

There are a lot fewer monitoring stations today than there were 30 years ago.

Hams were not allowed to transmit during WW2.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 04, 2023 03:06 PM (63Dwl)

21 I picked up a pair of 2-way radios before the 2020 election out of concern my libtard town was going to go crazy and local cell service would be impacted. Got a cheap Grundig AM/FM/SW battery powered radio too.

Posted by: Rex B at September 04, 2023 03:06 PM (5vsma)

22 Future historians, super-intelligent cockroaches, will say the collapse happened in 2002 with the establishment of Homeland Security Dept.

Posted by: Next2Nothing at September 04, 2023 03:06 PM (tA1/w)

23 You know why they are eliminating AM radio : Because the right has always dominated talk radio on AM stations. They couldn’t destroy Rush but they no doubt want to kill every other non progressive voice on there.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 04, 2023 03:06 PM (Hkcdp)

24 That HAM radio flash mob I saw gather outside of the Radio Shack was savage and ruthless. Social media is out of control!

Posted by: Dr. Bone at September 04, 2023 03:07 PM (KVGVf)

25 The fed govt shut down American ham radio during WWII. The ChiComs shut down theirs until 1991. I'm a ham, and I'm more skeptical of its uses for emcomms than some are.

Posted by: gp Resides Above Ordinary Subjectivity at September 04, 2023 03:09 PM (MvF+J)

26 Seems like a quaint notion that the FCC in a societal collapse scenario would remain benign in their regulatory role or that the only HAM operators would be entirely the remnants of liberty and not active federal agents, moles, trolls or infiltrators. What would keep them from silencing individuals, jamming frequencies, or cluttering the airwaves with bogus information to increase the noise to signal ratio? I'll admit that I don't know a lot about it.

Posted by: Muldoon at September 04, 2023 03:10 PM (991eG)

27 Take the FCC no time at all to triangulate your position and shut you down. Spent nearly 40 years in broadcast engineering dealing with the Friendly Candy Company. Ham radio will be monitored from every field office by every means at their disposal. I would not be surprised at at that at the first sign of "trouble", ham radio frequencies will be off limits. At the very least, all communication will need to be encoded digitally.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy now with twice the crazy at September 04, 2023 03:10 PM (Zvtjl)

28 Even though no one is taking this seriously, because Teh Horde doesn't do that, free license study materials at:

http://hamstudy.org

I hold an "Extra" class license, so you know the tests can't be that hard.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at September 04, 2023 03:11 PM (Bd6X8)

29 14 can the gov shut it down then, or would it be hard for them to do that?
Posted by: ziggggyyyyeeee at September 04, 2023 03:03 PM (JbT0v)

Yes. The government could declare a national state of emergency and only pre-approved stations could legally operate. Plus, it's radio and can be easily jammed.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at September 04, 2023 03:11 PM (BdMk6)

30 You Tube identifies man with 5 testicles.

http://tinyurl.com/6uz4cumu

Posted by: Archimedes at September 04, 2023 03:13 PM (I/Qkd)

31 19
'The FCC would activate jammers.'

These jammers would need a need a lot of electricity and be located in unpopulated areas a lot of the time, I'd bet.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at September 04, 2023 03:13 PM (roH4R)

32 Ham radios are banned in Islamic countries due to the prohibition of any pork products as haram.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at September 04, 2023 03:13 PM (VyG5a)

33 Ban ceiling fans, AM radios, meats, gas stoves WTF?

..

Eh.

We'll bitch n moan about 15 min grid cities.

And swear We'll never accept an 8 min city.

Posted by: Keep moving the chains at September 04, 2023 03:13 PM (Yqm3O)

34 How close do you think this country is to collapse and totalitarianism?

Collapse? Not for a while. There's a lot of piled up wealth and infrastructure to destroy before that happens.

____

I think what worries me is look at a country like France.

It's just about everything we fear our country becoming, but it just keeps chugging along. And has been for the last 50+ years since its become a joke. Of course by every metric of prosperity you measure, it's behind the US. But it's not truly "collapsed".

I could easily see this boot stomping on our face until I'm dead and in the ground.

Posted by: Blago at September 04, 2023 03:13 PM (wMRY8)

35 Ham comms may not be legally encrypted, nor used commercially, nor used for broadcast purposes other than simple beacons.

Posted by: gp Resides Above Ordinary Subjectivity at September 04, 2023 03:14 PM (MvF+J)

36 If the gov. does collapse the FCC will go with it.
Then we can all be like the Mexican radio.
There used to be some wildcat AM transmitters in the East Bay Area. The FCC took years to shut them down. I have a hand held short wave radio and some CB radios left over from the convoy days.
No HAM radio.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at September 04, 2023 03:14 PM (MeG8a)

37 True, no one can block ham radio, no matter if they self identify inordinately with giant dildos.

But societies in the middle of collapse have bigger problems.

Posted by: trev006 at September 04, 2023 03:14 PM (O8Itl)

38 And...learn morse code.

Posted by: Diogenes at September 04, 2023 03:14 PM (hv9bm)

39 I think what worries me is look at a country like France.

It's just about everything we fear our country becoming, but it just keeps chugging along. And has been for the last 50+ years since its become a joke. Of course by every metric of prosperity you measure, it's behind the US. But it's not truly "collapsed".

I could easily see this boot stomping on our face until I'm dead and in the ground.
Posted by: Blago at September 04, 2023 03:13 PM (wMRY

Well if Niger forces them to pay market rate for Uranium...

Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:15 PM (twjRB)

40 Early 70's a Ham operator friend in the Adirondacks would collect postcards from other operators worldwide. I found that quite interesting.

Posted by: actually inside the beltway at September 04, 2023 03:15 PM (We9fe)

41 Would a prosecutor be able to get a grand jury to indict a ham radio?

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at September 04, 2023 03:15 PM (tQ0T2)

42 73s!

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenko stuff at September 04, 2023 03:15 PM (H9Qhb)

43 And part of it is because the FCC has rules against profane language on public frequencies, and the ham community is largely self-policing.

I hear country ham radio is quite salty.

Posted by: Radio piracy! ARRRRRR at September 04, 2023 03:17 PM (fhX0j)

44 You Tube identifies man with 5 testicles.

********

Jeffrey Dahmer?

Posted by: Muldoon at September 04, 2023 03:18 PM (991eG)

45 28 The license exams are dead easy, and the best place to study for them is here:
https://arrlexamreview.appspot.com/

It's free. The answers are all canned.

Posted by: gp Resides Above Ordinary Subjectivity at September 04, 2023 03:18 PM (MvF+J)

46 When we descend into total tyranny the first thing they will do is track down every poster on this blog. A radio in not going to be of much help then.

Posted by: Next2Nothing at September 04, 2023 03:18 PM (tA1/w)

47 I have a handheld HAM radio. Small one. Not expensive. Also a NOAA emergency radio.
But I recommend anyone considering hard time, have a reliable set of handheld radios for local personal use.

Posted by: Diogenes at September 04, 2023 03:19 PM (hv9bm)

48 These jammers would need a need a lot of electricity and be located in unpopulated areas a lot of the time, I'd bet.
Posted by: Dr. Claw at September 04, 2023 03:13 PM (roH4R)

Nope. I've had a few incidents where someone in the neighborhood uses an old electrical appliance outside and totally wipes out any receive on hat frequency. Also, look up Russian woodpecker radar station.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at September 04, 2023 03:19 PM (BdMk6)

49
When we descend into total tyranny the first thing they will do is track down every poster on this blog.

Won't they have more important things to do?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 04, 2023 03:20 PM (63Dwl)

50 Do you remember back in 1966?
Country Jesus, hillbilly blues where I got my licks
From coast to coast and line to line, in every county there
Talkin' 'bout that outlaw X, he's cuttin' through the air
Anywhere, y'all
Everywhere, y'all
I heard it, I heard it
I heard it on the X…

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at September 04, 2023 03:20 PM (R/m4+)

51 37 True, no one can block ham radio, no matter if they self identify inordinately with giant dildos.

His banning power is limited mostly to this blog, though he may dream of such censorship authority.

Posted by: Power corrupts at September 04, 2023 03:20 PM (fhX0j)

52 I bought a cheap Baofeng ... under certain powers it is maybe legal to use? idk. But I hear China can disable the products they sell by sending out some signal ...

I've never used mine, also bought a cheap CB with a long antenna. Need to keep all electronics in a metal garbage can with a well sealed lid ... to avoid the shutdown signal from China, and other EMP type stuff?

Posted by: illiniwek at September 04, 2023 03:20 PM (Cus5s)

53 I toy with a SDR (software defined radio). It's a USB "dongle" that you hook up to an antenna and run off a laptop or PC. The kit I got on Amazon had two antennas, the USB "radio" and some COAX cable. The software to run the thing is free. It will only receive, you cannot use it to talk to the outside world.

I've stumbled onto HAM radio operators chatting, some of the local police and EMS, airliners talking to air traffic controllers and weather spotters.

The kit is around $45.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at September 04, 2023 03:20 PM (Q4IgG)

54 I've always wanted to get into low watt AM transmitters.
I've been collecting tubes and old radios for years now.
Recently picked up an amplifier with 2 6V6GT, 2 12AX7 and 1 5YGT tubes for $10. Probably $200 worth of tubes.
Electronics is one of the few things I've done as "work" and still enjoy as a hobby.
It also plays into my horrible guitar playing. I can't even sound good through a tube amp no matter how many tubes I switch out.
Now I just collect them. Buy when and where I find them.

Posted by: Reforger at September 04, 2023 03:21 PM (B705c)

55 In the AF, While flying over the north Atlantic we would get ham operators to phone patch calls home.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at September 04, 2023 03:21 PM (wsSEe)

56 My favorite ride has a ham radio group that drives out to various check points so they know if riders are on course. It is a very nice addition to the ride.

In case of infrastructure breakdown ham radio will be very useful to maintain come communication.

In case of of the deep state going full totalitarian? Well we are a creative country, I'm sure some codes would be worked out. John has hippie hair.

Posted by: PaleRider at September 04, 2023 03:21 PM (83y/e)

57 A CB radio and a 100w amp.

Posted by: 13times at September 04, 2023 03:21 PM (3n6PK)

58 I bought a cheap Baofeng

So did Eric Swallowell.

Posted by: Or did he? I get the Chi-Com spy names confused at September 04, 2023 03:22 PM (fhX0j)

59 Won't they have more important things to do?

Yeah, I'm not too worried about some anonymous poster's prognostication.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at September 04, 2023 03:22 PM (V8he0)

60 Is It Time to Get a Ham Radio?

Absolutely Not !!!

Ham Radio is still dominated by older generations that will check you on the air, check you online, and generally check you whenever possible to check your credentials regarding the notion of hitting the mic key on that equipment.

Ham Radio is no different than this message board. Just different self-appointed and government appointed COBs.

Do you want wireless comms ? Possibly. Then just get a CB and a five watt amp and a broadcast mast. To Hell with the idea of Ham Radio.

Posted by: Reality at September 04, 2023 03:23 PM (nraLl)

61 Also, Muslims won't touch a ham radio.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at September 04, 2023 03:23 PM (FVME7)

62 And...learn morse code.
Posted by: Diogenes

*********

I Dashed This Off In A Hurry

.- ... / .- / -- . -- -... . .-. / --- ..-. / - .... . / ... .. --. -. .- .-.. / -.-. --- .-. .--. ... / ..-. --- .-. -.-. . / .. / ... . -. - / -.-. --- -.. . ... / .- ... / .- / -- .- - - . .-. / --- ..-. / -.-. --- ..- .-. ... . / -... ..- - / .-- .... . -. . ...- . .-. / ... --- -- . / -... .. --. / -.. ..- -. -.-. . / .- ... -.- . -.. / -- . / - --- / ... . -. -.. / .. - / -- --- .-. . / - .... .- -. / --- -. -.-. . / .. / ... .- .. -.. / .. / -. . ...- . .-. / .... .- -.. / --- -. . / -... .. - / --- ..-. / .-. . -....- -- --- .-. ... .

Posted by: Muldoon at September 04, 2023 03:23 PM (991eG)

63 I think what worries me is look at a country like France.

It's just about everything we fear our country becoming, but it just keeps chugging along. And has been for the last 50+ years since its become a joke. Of course by every metric of prosperity you measure, it's behind the US. But it's not truly "collapsed".

I could easily see this boot stomping on our face until I'm dead and in the ground.
Posted by: Blago at September 04, 2023 03:13 PM (wMRY

It's like being kicked to death by a cute bunny rabbit.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at September 04, 2023 03:24 PM (BdMk6)

64 "Next, ham radio is ruthlessly DIY."

Not so much, at least not anymore. My advice for newbies: buy a modern 100W all-HFband rig, new from the dealer with some kind of warranty. You can't build a rig of your own that's as good as what you can buy new for the same price.

There's a bunch of lore about 'elmers' and 'mentors' and such, but newbies should not be taught to be spoonfed and handheld through everything. Don't expect hours of free help. Too many hams and ham wannabes don't even know how to do a google search.

Posted by: gp Resides Above Ordinary Subjectivity at September 04, 2023 03:24 PM (MvF+J)

65 JPM flagged a BILLION USDs worth of tranfers in re Epstein. At least that's what BVI is saying.

Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:24 PM (twjRB)

66 I do not partake in non halal radio transmissions

Posted by: Rbastid at September 04, 2023 03:25 PM (+pWOo)

67
When we descend into total tyranny the first thing they will do is track down every poster on this blog.

A radio in not going to be of much help then.

Posted by: Next2Nothing at September 04, 2023 03:18 PM (tA1/w)

Fake News!

You could bonk them on the head with your ham radio, then make your escape.

Those things are pretty hefty!

Posted by: naturalfake at September 04, 2023 03:26 PM (QzZeQ)

68 I really hate acronyms. Reminds me of when I was in the Army and during some briefings there were entire sentences spoken that had no discernible grammar, other than the occasional 'and' and 'the'.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at September 04, 2023 03:27 PM (tQ0T2)

69 If you expect your ham radio to do you any good in an emergency, you'll need a generator and reserve fuel, or some other independent power source.

Posted by: gp Resides Above Ordinary Subjectivity at September 04, 2023 03:27 PM (MvF+J)

70 Are we about to get into Walking Dead territory?

Posted by: Smell the Glove at September 04, 2023 03:27 PM (43q0X)

71 When we descend into total tyranny the first thing they will do is track down every poster on this blog. A radio in not going to be of much help then.
Posted by: Next2Nothing at September 04, 2023 03:18 PM (tA1/w)

Walkie talkies could have a nice advantage. Certainly more than smart phones. You can have some cover, but it's hard to play a successful defense against overwhelming tyranny. Go for the low score win, instead.

Posted by: trev006 at September 04, 2023 03:27 PM (O8Itl)

72 When we descend into total tyranny the first thing they will do is track down every poster on this blog.

*********

I'm expecting to be named Commissar of Doggerel Poetry

Posted by: Muldoon at September 04, 2023 03:28 PM (991eG)

73 Got a Hamms in front of me right now.

Posted by: t-dubya-d at September 04, 2023 03:28 PM (NThtg)

74 How about we just get the GOP to immolate rather than deal with us and then start a new party?

Seems less Rube Goldberg than anything else.

Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:28 PM (twjRB)

75 You could say that I can get pretty acrimonious over the use of acronyms.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at September 04, 2023 03:28 PM (tQ0T2)

76 What an extremely cool idea! The Federalist article is really engaging. All the way through, I kept saying, "Huh; huh."

Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 03:28 PM (Dz9Qm)

77
Bacon Radio >>> Ham Radio

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 04, 2023 03:29 PM (MoZTd)

78 Walkie talkies could have a nice advantage. Certainly more than smart phones. You can have some cover, but it's hard to play a successful defense against overwhelming tyranny. Go for the low score win, instead.
Posted by: trev006 at September 04, 2023 03:27 PM (O8Itl)

You'll need to stash a shitload of batteries and/or solar chargers and/or hand crank generators.

Posted by: Gotta have a power source at September 04, 2023 03:29 PM (fhX0j)

79 I used to have a police/fire scanner. It was useful.
But now everything locally is encrypted.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at September 04, 2023 03:29 PM (MeG8a)

80 Nobody has said "Breaker breaker 1-9"!

Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 03:30 PM (Dz9Qm)

81 Mmmm ham

Posted by: Skip at September 04, 2023 03:30 PM (MOY79)

82 Swear to GOD if [redacted] Muldoon is poasting "puns" in Morse Code I am going to plotz.

Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:30 PM (twjRB)

83
I'm expecting to be named Commissar of Doggerel Poetry
Posted by: Muldoon

Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard...

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 04, 2023 03:30 PM (63Dwl)

84 Smoke signals.

When the grid is gone and the batteries die, all you need is 2 sticks.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at September 04, 2023 03:30 PM (fSdL0)

85
If tyranny comes your best bet for secure communications is-

two tin cans and a length of string.

Posted by: naturalfake at September 04, 2023 03:30 PM (QzZeQ)

86 79 I used to have a police/fire scanner. It was useful.
But now everything locally is encrypted.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at September 04, 2023 03:29 PM (MeG8a)

Because they don't want people recording them.

Posted by: Transparency is a threat to power at September 04, 2023 03:30 PM (fhX0j)

87 Long before you'll need a ham radio, you'll need extras of your prescriptions. Medical care would collapse long before communication collapse effects would be felt.

One might make you sad (no internet, no cell, no long distance contact) - the other would make you dead (no chemo pills, no insulin, no BP pills).

Posted by: Nova Local at September 04, 2023 03:31 PM (exHjb)

88 You could use ham radio to mustard all the able bodied men during a crisis.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at September 04, 2023 03:31 PM (tQ0T2)

89 You'll need to stash a shitload of batteries and/or solar chargers and/or hand crank generators.
Posted by: Gotta have a power source at September 04, 2023 03:29 PM (fhX0j)

It really depends how long you think you're going to last. Some would be guerillas have a vastly inflated view of their abilities. That's why you need to keep simple goals.

Posted by: trev006 at September 04, 2023 03:31 PM (O8Itl)

90 Since you're a licensed ham radio operator they will come for your radios. For propagating malinformation against the government like an insurrection. And your guns to, while they're visiting.

Later you get to go to court before imprisonment. It's their kink.

Posted by: torabora at September 04, 2023 03:32 PM (MALyz)

91 38 ... "And...learn morse code."

THIS times 1,000

Besides being a useful skill, Morse code can be transmitted with less power and simpler, inexpensive gear and understood through interference that would make other modes impossible. The old saying was "code always gets through".

Posted by: JTB at September 04, 2023 03:32 PM (7EjX1)

92 You could use ham radio to mustard all the able bodied men during a crisis.
Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at September 04, 2023 03:31 PM (tQ0T2)

*echo and the bunnymen in background*

Couldn't cut the muh muh muh mustard

Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:32 PM (twjRB)

93 87 Long before you'll need a ham radio, you'll need extras of your prescriptions. Medical care would collapse long before communication collapse effects would be felt.

One might make you sad (no internet, no cell, no long distance contact) - the other would make you dead (no chemo pills, no insulin, no BP pills).
Posted by: Nova Local at September 04, 2023 03:31 PM (exHjb)

Shit, millions of us are already sad, dead wouldn't be such a terrible thing.

Posted by: Life would pretty much suck anyway post-collapse at September 04, 2023 03:33 PM (fhX0j)

94 53 The RTL-SDR Blog v3 rcvr dongle is an excellent radio for only $35. I assume that's the one you have. There are jillions of things you can do with it, far more than you could do with a $350 knob-and-button Grundig 750 for example. It covers from AM BCB all the way up past 1.1GHz. I've used them for years to hear everything from hams to boats to planes to telemetry to SW broadcasts to satellites to etc, in every conceivable mode of modulation.

https://www.rtl-sdr.com/

Posted by: gp Resides Above Ordinary Subjectivity at September 04, 2023 03:33 PM (MvF+J)

95 I Dashed This Off In A Hurry

.- ... / .- / -- . -- -... . .-. / --- ..-. / - .... . / ... .. --. -. .- .-.. / -.-. --- .-. .--. ... / ..-. --- .-. -.-. . / .. / ... . -. - / -.-. --- -.. . ... / .- ... / .- / -- .- - - . .-. / --- ..-. / -.-. --- ..- .-. ... . / -... ..- - / .-- .... . -. . ...- . .-. / ... --- -- . / -... .. --. / -.. ..- -. -.-. . / .- ... -.- . -.. / -- . / - --- / ... . -. -.. / .. - / -- --- .-. . / - .... .- -. / --- -. -.-. . / .. / ... .- .. -.. / .. / -. . ...- . .-. / .... .- -.. / --- -. . / -... .. - / --- ..-. / .-. . -....- -- --- .-. ... .
Posted by: Muldoon

AS A MEMBER OF THE SIGNAL CORPS FORCE I SENT CODES AS A MATTER OF COURSE BUT WHENEVER SOME BIG DUNCE ASKED ME TO SEND IT MORE THAN ONCE I SAID I NEVER HAD ONE BIT OF RE-MORSE

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at September 04, 2023 03:34 PM (FVME7)

96 I put Jezebel sauce on my ham radio and had a Baal.

Posted by: fd at September 04, 2023 03:34 PM (vFG9F)

97 Shit, millions of us are already sad, dead wouldn't be such a terrible thing.
Posted by: Life would pretty much suck anyway post-collapse at September 04, 2023 03:33 PM (fhX0j)

I prefer getting the GOP to quit.

Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:34 PM (twjRB)

98 90 Since you're a licensed ham radio operator they will come for your radios. For propagating malinformation against the government like an insurrection. And your guns to, while they're visiting.

Later you get to go to court before imprisonment. It's their kink.

Posted by: torabora at September 04, 2023 03:32 PM (MALyz)

Yes, this does seem to pose a problem:

It is governed by the Federal Communications Commission; it requires ... registration with the federal government.

Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 03:34 PM (Dz9Qm)

99 I might mention my home-brew LEO-tracker for those birds with ham repeaters.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 04, 2023 03:34 PM (OpB28)

100 If things go all totalitarian, it will be the DIY hams that improvise transmitters that can be left in random places to convey messages. Their ability to create antennas out of the proverbial 'wet string' will make it difficult to prevent samizdat from moving around. One article from the ham radio magazine QST showed 'loading' a column of salt water from the ocean in a plastic pipe to transmit messages. There also many articles about 'stealth' antennas to avoid HOA restrictions - necessary to receive those messages at home. And that says nothing about their ability to take a baby monitor and retune it to an off-channel for clandestine reception. A whole group of hams pursue communicating with the lowest power possible ('QRP') - this will certainly make government monitoring and locating a challenge.

Just like anything else mechanical or electrical - those who do will be able to evade those who dictate. I know there are formidible resource available to the government to locate transmissions, but it's still a matter of manpower and the cleverness of the resistance.

Posted by: PhazeNoise at September 04, 2023 03:35 PM (9gLCd)

101
It really depends how long you think you're going to last. Some would be guerillas have a vastly inflated view of their abilities. That's why you need to keep simple goals.
Posted by: trev006 at September 04, 2023 03:31 PM (O8Itl)

I wouldn't expect to last very long. As long as I can a few of those motherfuckers with me, that'd be fine.

Posted by: Simple enough goal, yes? at September 04, 2023 03:35 PM (fhX0j)

102 I prefer smores code. It's not as effective at communicating but it is delicious.

Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at September 04, 2023 03:35 PM (tQ0T2)

103 Pops had a ham set in the car where he worked Barry Goldwater, rafting down some river. This was the year of "AUH2O64". Pops got QSL cards from all over, with I still had one of his, custom printed antique map. Despite being California only his call sign was so old it began with "W", not "K".

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenko stuff at September 04, 2023 03:35 PM (cXgQo)

104 Seriously, how many of you have ever talked to anyone that holds a Ham Radio license ? The first folks to turn you in will be those with a Ham Radio license.

Posted by: Reality at September 04, 2023 03:35 PM (nraLl)

105 79 I used to have a police/fire scanner. It was useful.
But now everything locally is encrypted.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at September 04, 2023 03:29 PM (MeG8a)

My dad had one of these and loved it.

Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 03:35 PM (Dz9Qm)

106 Shit, millions of us are already sad, dead wouldn't be such a terrible thing.
Posted by: Life would pretty much suck anyway post-collapse at September 04, 2023 03:33 PM (fhX0j)

How would you know? Have you ever been dead?

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at September 04, 2023 03:36 PM (BdMk6)

107 I wouldn't expect to last very long. As long as I can a few of those motherfuckers with me, that'd be fine.
Posted by: Simple enough goal, yes? at September 04, 2023 03:35 PM (fhX0j)

Word.

Posted by: trev006 at September 04, 2023 03:36 PM (O8Itl)

108 I prefer getting the GOP to quit.
Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:34 PM (twjRB)

And I'd prefer to be a billionaire on a yacht banging eight supermodels a night.

Posted by: It's OK to dream at September 04, 2023 03:36 PM (fhX0j)

109 Morris chair > Morse code

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenko stuff at September 04, 2023 03:36 PM (cXgQo)

110 95 I Dashed This Off In A Hurry

.- ... / .- / -- . -- -... . .-. / --- ..-. / - .... . / ... .. --. -. .- .-.. / -.-. --- .-. .--. ... / ..-. --- .-. -.-. . / .. / ... . -. - / -.-. --- -.. . ... / .- ... / .- / -- .- - - . .-. / --- ..-. / -.-. --- ..- .-. ... . / -... ..- - / .-- .... . -. . ...- . .-. / ... --- -- . / -... .. --. / -.. ..- -. -.-. . / .- ... -.- . -.. / -- . / - --- / ... . -. -.. / .. - / -- --- .-. . / - .... .- -. / --- -. -.-. . / .. / ... .- .. -.. / .. / -. . ...- . .-. / .... .- -.. / --- -. . / -... .. - / --- ..-. / .-. . -....- -- --- .-. ... .
Posted by: Muldoon

AS A MEMBER OF THE SIGNAL CORPS FORCE I SENT CODES AS A MATTER OF COURSE BUT WHENEVER SOME BIG DUNCE ASKED ME TO SEND IT MORE THAN ONCE I SAID I NEVER HAD ONE BIT OF RE-MORSE
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at September 04, 2023 03:34 PM (FVME7)

[Redacted]! Just [Redacted]! Ok? You can [Redacted]. I [Redacted]! It's [Redacted] [Redacted]!

Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:37 PM (twjRB)

111 One caveat to the above...

If the government goes 'all in' on rounding up gun-owners , hams and other troublemakers, there will be no doubt that the fight has become existential. Something tells me DF vehicles better armor plated in that scenario...

Posted by: PhazeNoise at September 04, 2023 03:37 PM (9gLCd)

112 You could use ham radio to mustard all the able bodied men during a crisis.
Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at September 04, 2023 03:31 PM (tQ0T2)

Most hams I've known through the years are not anywhere near "able bodied". LOL!! Too many years of "abled sitting".

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy now with twice the crazy at September 04, 2023 03:38 PM (Zvtjl)

113 Ham radio is useful for local emcomms only if cell phones are down; if cellular is up, nobody is going to need ham radio in handling the emergency. How often does cellular go down, and for what avg duration.

In a national emergency, ham emcomms might go like this:
Chicago: "CQ NY CQ NY. This is Chicago. We just got nuked. Pls send help."
NY: "Chicago, this is NY. We got nuked too. Welcome to the party, pal."

Posted by: gp Resides Above Ordinary Subjectivity at September 04, 2023 03:38 PM (MvF+J)

114 And I'd prefer to be a billionaire on a yacht banging eight supermodels a night.
Posted by: It's OK to dream at September 04, 2023 03:36 PM (fhX0j)

The GOP is gonna wrap it up like Fox.

Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:38 PM (twjRB)

115 I used to have a police/fire scanner. It was useful.
But now everything locally is encrypted.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at September 04, 2023 03:29 PM (MeG8a)

Maybe a few certain locations. There's still an overwhelming amount of open fire and police networks.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at September 04, 2023 03:39 PM (BdMk6)

116 OT:
Pay@home have it wrong. I have better way to make money.

https://is.gd/x2B6gK

Posted by: Zelinsky at September 04, 2023 03:40 PM (ynpvh)

117 The State will find every ham radio in existence when the shit goes down, so I don't care to bother with it.
Besides, I don't want to talk to any of you bastards anyway.

FJB

Posted by: jbspry at September 04, 2023 03:40 PM (s78zi)

118 Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:37 PM (twjRB)

******

😇

Posted by: Muldoon at September 04, 2023 03:40 PM (991eG)

119 Just heard on the radio, it costs the Federal Government $7 Billion to maintain their office buildings, which are 75 percent unoccupied.

Posted by: Mister Ghost at September 04, 2023 03:40 PM (TGPs7)

120 I don't want to shock you but . . .

Roger Severino
@RogerSeverino_
My first assignment as a junior editor at the Harvard Journal on Legislation (1999-2000) was to cite check an article submitted by one Sen. Joseph R. Biden. I was shocked by the plagiarism I discovered.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at September 04, 2023 03:40 PM (FVME7)

121 Posted by: Muldoon at September 04, 2023 03:23 PM (991eG)

-. .. -.-. .

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 04, 2023 03:41 PM (vHIgi)

122 Seriously, how many of you have ever talked to anyone that holds a Ham Radio license ? The first folks to turn you in will be those with a Ham Radio license.
Posted by: Reality at September 04, 2023 03:35 PM (nraLl)

I am sorry you are considering insurrection. I wish you luck

Posted by: Kindltot at September 04, 2023 03:41 PM (xhaym)

123 While collapse might not happen tomorrow, the Peter Hitchens article in the American Conservative J.J. linked in his post this morning was very relatable, and sad.

Posted by: Oglebay at September 04, 2023 03:41 PM (ogTiX)

124 I wouldn't expect to last very long. As long as I can a few of those motherfuckers with me, that'd be fine.
Posted by: Simple enough goal, yes? at September 04, 2023 03:35 PM (fhX0j)

Word.
Posted by: trev006 at September 04, 2023 03:36 PM (O8Itl)

Yup.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at September 04, 2023 03:41 PM (BdMk6)

125 FiL was a HAM operator for fifty years. Every time I listened in from across the room, it was old dudes talking about The Gout.

Count me in with others who are skeptical of this being useful in tyranny. Radio signals are pathetically easy to track. And it's just one more high-priority Fed list to be on.

Posted by: McLurkerson at September 04, 2023 03:41 PM (wNDOJ)

126 Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:37 PM (twjRB)

******

😇
Posted by: Muldoon at September 04, 2023 03:40 PM (991eG)

*throws everything off desk falls down*

*cries*

Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:42 PM (twjRB)

127 My grandfather was a ham radio operator. K3ZEY

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at September 04, 2023 03:42 PM (Mzdiz)

128 Posted by: Muldoon

AS A MEMBER OF THE SIGNAL CORPS FORCE I SENT CODES AS A MATTER OF COURSE BUT WHENEVER SOME BIG DUNCE ASKED ME TO SEND IT MORE THAN ONCE I SAID I NEVER HAD ONE BIT OF RE-MORSE
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at September 04, 2023 03:34 PM (FVME7)
***

Yeah.
I got as far as BIG DUNCE.

Posted by: Diogenes at September 04, 2023 03:42 PM (hv9bm)

129 95 I Dashed This Off In A Hurry

.- ... / .- / -- . -- -... . .-. / --- ..-. / - .... . / ... .. --. -. .- .-.. / -.-. --- .-. .--. ... / ..-. --- .-. -.-. . / .. / ... . -. - / -.-. --- -.. . ... / .- ... / .- / -- .- - - . .-. / --- ..-. / -.-. --- ..- .-. ... . / -... ..- - / .-- .... . -. . ...- . .-. / ... --- -- . / -... .. --. / -.. ..- -. -.-. . / .- ... -.- . -.. / -- . / - --- / ... . -. -.. / .. - / -- --- .-. . / - .... .- -. / --- -. -.-. . / .. / ... .- .. -.. / .. / -. . ...- . .-. / .... .- -.. / --- -. . / -... .. - / --- ..-. / .-. . -....- -- --- .-. ... .
Posted by: Muldoon

AS A MEMBER OF THE SIGNAL CORPS FORCE I SENT CODES AS A MATTER OF COURSE BUT WHENEVER SOME BIG DUNCE ASKED ME TO SEND IT MORE THAN ONCE I SAID I NEVER HAD ONE BIT OF RE-MORSE
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at September 04, 2023 03:34 PM (FVME7)

It's a pome!
AS A MEMBER OF THE SIGNAL CORPS FORCE
I SENT CODES AS A MATTER OF COURSE
BUT WHENEVER SOME BIG DUNCE
ASKED ME TO SEND IT MORE THAN ONCE
I SAID I NEVER HAD ONE BIT OF RE-MORSE

Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 03:42 PM (Dz9Qm)

130 125 FiL was a HAM operator for fifty years. Every time I listened in from across the room, it was old dudes talking about The Gout.

And that dadburn lumbago!

Posted by: Talk about what you know I guess at September 04, 2023 03:42 PM (fhX0j)

131 If you plan on using ham radio to command your militia during SHTF, you have to do lots of upfront prep and organizing off the air before the SHTF: who's going to be trusted in your net, what (illegal) codes you're going to use, what time and bandplan schedule, etc.

One radical organization that made extensive successful use of ham radio was the Jim Jones organization. They did hundreds of thousands of dollars of procurement, and thousands of hours of command coordination between SF and SA using ham radio.

Posted by: gp Resides Above Ordinary Subjectivity at September 04, 2023 03:43 PM (MvF+J)

132

So the CutJib/Ace of Spades Radio Network might actually be a thing???

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at September 04, 2023 03:43 PM (x0n13)

133 105

I have a scanner. It's very useful for me as I live in an area prone to wildfires. I'm kinda close to a highway as well which often has rockslides and, unfortunately, several motorcycle accidents. It's helpful to be aware of these things before heading down the road...
I have a ham setup from my late husband. Antenna are in place as well, but I've never used this equipment. Probably time to learn...

Posted by: COMountainMarie at September 04, 2023 03:43 PM (dUjTv)

134 "Collapse? Not for a while. There's a lot of piled up wealth and infrastructure to destroy before that happens."

__________

There's a great deal of ruin in a nation.

Posted by: Adam Smith at September 04, 2023 03:43 PM (wNDOJ)

135 Although it's a romantic notion, I don't think of ham radio as a secure way to get around tyranny. But there is nothing more reliable (obviously not perfect) when the infrastructure fails or is overwhelmed.

Examples:
-Locally, a child was lost by the river and the search teams needed ham radio to coordinate their search. This was before cell phones and coverage was ubiquitous.
-The internal phone system for a major hospital failed. Hams were able to keep emergency information flowing between wards.
-During the Pentagon rescue effort after 9/11, they found out the various agencies couldn't talk to each other. Hams were assigned to each team so that requests for supplies and manpower, from off-site areas, could be processed. We worked that for a solid week.

Posted by: JTB at September 04, 2023 03:44 PM (7EjX1)

136 "it was old dudes talking about The Gout."

Boy ain't that the truth! I run only FT8 DX, and skip all the 'ragchewing.' 99% of it is OFWGs talking about the weather.

Posted by: gp Resides Above Ordinary Subjectivity at September 04, 2023 03:44 PM (MvF+J)

137 95 I Dashed This Off In A Hurry

.- ... / .- / -- . -- -... . .-. / --- ..-. / - .... . / ... .. --. -. .- .-.. / -.-. --- .-. .--. ... / ..-. --- .-. -.-. . / .. / ... . -. - / -.-. --- -.. . ... / .- ... / .- / -- .- - - . .-. / --- ..-. / -.-. --- ..- .-. ... . / -... ..- - / .-- .... . -. . ...- . .-. / ... --- -- . / -... .. --. / -.. ..- -. -.-. . / .- ... -.- . -.. / -- . / - --- / ... . -. -.. / .. - / -- --- .-. . / - .... .- -. / --- -. -.-. . / .. / ... .- .. -.. / .. / -. . ...- . .-. / .... .- -.. / --- -. . / -... .. - / --- ..-. / .-. . -....- -- --- .-. ... .
Posted by: Muldoon

"Remember to fondle Ovulating Teens?"

- - Joey Sponge-Brain Shits-Pants

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at September 04, 2023 03:44 PM (x0n13)

138 It's a pome!
AS A MEMBER OF THE SIGNAL CORPS FORCE
I SENT CODES AS A MATTER OF COURSE
BUT WHENEVER SOME BIG DUNCE
ASKED ME TO SEND IT MORE THAN ONCE
I SAID I NEVER HAD ONE BIT OF RE-MORSE
Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 03:42 PM (Dz9Qm)
-

Dots hilarious!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at September 04, 2023 03:44 PM (fSdL0)

139 VDH just dropped a new column on his site.
Read it and then tell me there is no collapse.

https://victorhanson.com

Posted by: gourmand du jour at September 04, 2023 03:44 PM (MeG8a)

140 Count me in with others who are skeptical of this being useful in tyranny. Radio signals are pathetically easy to track. And it's just one more high-priority Fed list to be on.

Or, you can just buy a CB, hoist a mast, amp it and make sure you're not reflecting back into the amp, and broadcast until you're blue in the face without registering with the Ham folks, identifying with them, and generally asking them permission to hit the mic button and talk.

Or you can jump through all their hoops and join the Ham club. You do you.

Posted by: Reality at September 04, 2023 03:44 PM (nraLl)

141 Are our Jewish brothers permitted to operate a Ham radio if they keep Kosher?

Posted by: Tonypete at September 04, 2023 03:44 PM (ii9PI)

142 141 Are our Jewish brothers permitted to operate a Ham radio if they keep Kosher?
Posted by: Tonypete at September 04, 2023 03:44 PM (ii9PI)

Only after sundown on Saturdays . . .

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at September 04, 2023 03:45 PM (x0n13)

143 The government will be coming for radio operator first

Posted by: Skip at September 04, 2023 03:46 PM (MOY79)

144 I miss Thomas Wictor. He was the fun kinda crazy.

I was just deciding which was worse for getting sniped: radio guy or flamethrower guy?

Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:48 PM (BC/Sm)

145 How close to collapse? I dunno. Economic or societal collapse or the two combined.........

I'd say we're so close to collapse that we(on our side) are willing to put faith in one of two or three candidates, one man to right this ship. It's the dumbest most hopeless fucking thing I've ever seen. People so smart that you have to be to believe this kind of dumb shit and fight and argue like idiots over someone you put blind(and it IS BLIND) faith into in spite of all the evidence that has smacked you in the face for decades now.

REALITY>.................................(way over here)you

Posted by: JROD at September 04, 2023 03:49 PM (IlL6s)

146 Or you can jump through all their hoops and join the Ham club. You do you.

Posted by: Reality at September 04, 2023 03:44 PM (nraLl)

________

Fvck that, of course.

"Hey, this guy's already on our gun owner list AND he's a HAM? Boss says we can launch the predators without approval."

Posted by: Adam Smith at September 04, 2023 03:49 PM (wNDOJ)

147 Off Adam Smith sock

Posted by: McLurkerson at September 04, 2023 03:49 PM (wNDOJ)

148 146 Or you can jump through all their hoops and join the Ham club. You do you.

Posted by: Reality at September 04, 2023 03:44 PM (nraLl)

________

Fvck that, of course.

"Hey, this guy's already on our gun owner list AND he's a HAM? Boss says we can launch the predators without approval."
Posted by: Adam Smith at September 04, 2023 03:49 PM (wNDOJ)

yikes

Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 03:50 PM (Dz9Qm)

149 I've heard you gotta listen to RUSH whrnever you operate a HAM radio.

Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:51 PM (BC/Sm)

150 I live near what used to be one of the most beautiful cities in the entire world. Now you couldn't pay me to go there. Talk to me about societal collapse, it's already too close.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at September 04, 2023 03:51 PM (MeG8a)

151 CON-VOOOOOOY!

Posted by: San Franpsycho at September 04, 2023 03:52 PM (RIvkX)

152 Or, you can just buy a CB, hoist a mast, amp it and make sure you're not reflecting back into the amp, and broadcast until you're blue in the face without registering with the Ham folks, identifying with them, and generally asking them permission to hit the mic button and talk.

Or you can jump through all their hoops and join the Ham club. You do you.
Posted by: Reality at September 04, 2023 03:44 PM (nraLl)

The 27mhz band will the first to go. As far as ham radio goes, a fellow broadcast engineer who is also a ham, emailed me back in 2020 that the FCC sent out warnings in all the trade magazines that "misinformation" over ham radio will be closely monitored. Could result in license revocation. Yeah, Big Brother IS watching. Remember, not all hams are on our side.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy now with twice the crazy at September 04, 2023 03:52 PM (Zvtjl)

153 Radio Another way

https://areaocho.com/channel-3-project/

Posted by: rd at September 04, 2023 03:52 PM (UYZ4N)

154 Other than Detroit and Frisco, what other US cities have gone to helena handbasket?

Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 03:53 PM (Dz9Qm)

155 .-- .... .- - / .... .- - .... / --. --- -.. / .-- .-. --- ..- --. .... -

Posted by: Reforger at September 04, 2023 03:53 PM (B705c)

156 If you plan on using ham radio to command your militia during SHTF, you have to do lots of upfront prep and organizing off the air before the SHTF: who's going to be trusted in your net, what (illegal) codes you're going to use, what time and bandplan schedule, etc.

Posted by: gp Resides Above Ordinary Subjectivity at September 04, 2023 03:43 PM (MvF+J)

Every militia group with more than five members has at least one federal informant. That's been their play since OKC.

Ideally, you'd have everyone with a receiver waiting for the broadcast. Maybe you'd hear the whole thing, maybe you wouldn't. But the times would be irregular to make tracking you harder. Then again, I don't plan on my own ham transmissions, and it will be interesting to see who starts.

Posted by: trev006 at September 04, 2023 03:53 PM (O8Itl)

157 Colleagues and Amigos ham club would meet in Mexico annually, remember getting a special pin to ID members, would not be charged tourist prices at local stores. Which meant cheap wonderful fireworks for me!

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenko stuff at September 04, 2023 03:54 PM (d1RkJ)

158 Other than Detroit and Frisco, what other US cities have gone to helena handbasket?
Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 03:53 PM (Dz9Qm)

Philly, B'more, Vegas

Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:54 PM (BC/Sm)

159 Haven't seen a chapter by VDH yet in the Barack Obama book reading but that's what it's coming to

Posted by: Skip at September 04, 2023 03:54 PM (MOY79)

160 I live near what used to be one of the most beautiful cities in the entire world. Now you couldn't pay me to go there. Talk to me about societal collapse, it's already too close.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at September 04, 2023 03:51 PM (MeG8a)

And yet you insist on remaining there even though that you're aware there are much better options.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at September 04, 2023 03:55 PM (BdMk6)

161 Fvck that, of course.

Straight up - you can get off the amps now for CB that were unbelievable even twenty years ago. That shit isn't monitored anymore, and they work without burning out your unit. Even five watts, with a mast mounted off the roof or in a tree, can reach out quite a bit.

Other than the idea of "I'm certified by Ham", I don't know why anyone anymore goes through the motions of asking if they can broadcast.

Posted by: Reality at September 04, 2023 03:55 PM (nraLl)

162 There's always SPAM radio but it's a bit tinny.

Posted by: Just try to meat me halfway on this at September 04, 2023 03:55 PM (fhX0j)

163 154 Other than Detroit and Frisco, what other US cities have gone to helena handbasket?

Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 03:53 PM (Dz9Qm)

Wait... I wanted Detroit. Why does she get it? Who voted on this?

Posted by: Reforger at September 04, 2023 03:56 PM (B705c)

164 158 Other than Detroit and Frisco, what other US cities have gone to helena handbasket?
Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 03:53 PM (Dz9Qm)

Philly, B'more, Vegas
Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:54 PM (BC/Sm)

Thanks.

Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 03:56 PM (Dz9Qm)

165 Other than Detroit and Frisco, what other US cities have gone to helena handbasket?
Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 03:53 PM (Dz9Qm)

Philly, B'more, Vegas
Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:54 PM (BC/Sm)

Seattle. Portland. Los Angeles. Austin. Madison.

Posted by: LASue at September 04, 2023 03:56 PM (Ed8Zd)

166 I prefer Mexican radio. More iguana.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at September 04, 2023 03:56 PM (FVME7)

167 165 Other than Detroit and Frisco, what other US cities have gone to helena handbasket?
Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 03:53 PM (Dz9Qm)

Philly, B'more, Vegas
Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:54 PM (BC/Sm)

Seattle. Portland. Los Angeles. Austin. Madison.
Posted by: LASue at September 04, 2023 03:56 PM (Ed8Zd)

Golly!

Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 03:57 PM (Dz9Qm)

168 Philly, B'more, Vegas
Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:54 PM (BC/Sm)

Seattle. Portland. Los Angeles. Austin. Madison.
Posted by: LASue at September 04, 2023 03:56 PM (Ed8Zd)

I've been everywhere, man

Posted by: Johnny Cash at September 04, 2023 03:57 PM (fhX0j)

169 All the ham radio folks I have known were either weirdos, nerds or dorks.

Usually all three but it kept them outta prison.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at September 04, 2023 03:58 PM (R/m4+)

170 VDH just dropped a new column on his site.
Read it and then tell me there is no collapse.

https://victorhanson.com
Posted by: gourmand du jour at September 04, 2023 03:44 PM (MeG8a)

Nice summation.

Posted by: Diogenes at September 04, 2023 03:58 PM (hv9bm)

171 Other than Detroit and Frisco, what other US cities have gone to helena handbasket?

Four people riding light rail in Portland have had their throats slashed in the last week. (Two incidents.)

The latest perp is 24-year-old Moctezuma Garcia.

Bets that he needs an interpreter at his court hearings?

Posted by: The ARC of History! at September 04, 2023 03:58 PM (2tUFv)

172 166 I prefer Mexican radio. More iguana.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at September 04, 2023 03:56 PM (FVME7)

I was born on that shit.

Posted by: Reforger at September 04, 2023 03:58 PM (B705c)

173 Other than Detroit and Frisco, what other US cities have gone to helena handbasket?
Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 03:53 PM (Dz9Qm)

Philly, B'more, Vegas
Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:54 PM (BC/Sm)

St. Louis, Atlanta, all the cities along the TX I-35 corridor.........just to name a few more.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at September 04, 2023 03:58 PM (BdMk6)

174 Yes, I'm staying here, unapologetically. I've experienced Texas, thank you very much. Nothing wrong with it, but it's not for me. Plus my 96 year old mother isn't moving anywhere but the family plot when the time comes. And, as I have commented repeatedly, you may move but you're still in Joe Biden's USA.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at September 04, 2023 03:59 PM (MeG8a)

175 173 Other than Detroit and Frisco, what other US cities have gone to helena handbasket?
Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 03:53 PM (Dz9Qm)

Philly, B'more, Vegas
Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:54 PM (BC/Sm)

St. Louis, Atlanta, all the cities along the TX I-35 corridor.........just to name a few more.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at September 04, 2023 03:58 PM (BdMk6)

It's a long list.

Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 03:59 PM (Dz9Qm)

176 I don't see any reason why CB would be less useful in an emergency than ham comms on 10m. Hams do have the advantage of more bands and more modes of operation, but in a genuine emergency, you use what comes to hand, and for many civilians, it will be CB.

Posted by: gp Resides Above Ordinary Subjectivity at September 04, 2023 03:59 PM (MvF+J)

177 Dork is a very woody word. Very very woody.

Posted by: Thesokorus at September 04, 2023 03:59 PM (BC/Sm)

178 *pokes collapse scenario*

Come on, do something...

Posted by: AlaBAMA at September 04, 2023 03:59 PM (5xURv)

179 69 ... "If you expect your ham radio to do you any good in an emergency, you'll need a generator and reserve fuel, or some other independent power source."

Actually, a deep cycle battery, and not a large one, can keep a ham transmitter going for weeks without recharging. It calls for reduced power output and certain modes of operation, like Morse code, to get the longest use from the battery.

Some hams, who specialize in low power operation, called QRP, can make distant contacts with one watt output and simple wire antennas. Their batteries might be recharged by small solar panel setups. I've made contacts of over 1,000 miles with five watts output and a wire antenna held to a second floor ceiling with thumb tacks.

Posted by: JTB at September 04, 2023 03:59 PM (7EjX1)

180 B'more

-
First high school football game called on account of gunfire.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Qdxf-sn90Pk&t=12s

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at September 04, 2023 04:00 PM (FVME7)

181 Hamm's wasn't very good beer. And I doubt the efficacy of connecting two empty cans with string.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at September 04, 2023 04:00 PM (KFhLj)

182 Maybe we already collapsed? I mean "collapse" can mean currency problems, or bank failures, or shortages, or riots, or war. BUT laws enforcing use of preferred pronouns, and a decade of forced approval of "global warming" are already indicative of a moral collapse.

I thought we were close around 2000, but 2007 and the housing collapse was perhaps a final straw. Then with the fake plague, and trillions thrown onto the fire to save "the markets" and economy ... the incredibly rich got incredibly richer, and now WEF types buy everything they want.

Posted by: illiniwek at September 04, 2023 04:01 PM (Cus5s)

183 I do know of one house with a large antenna tower.

********

You could do a stealth tie-in for your rig.

You know, Spliced Ham!

Posted by: Muldoon at September 04, 2023 04:02 PM (991eG)

184 179 I've operated QRP too, down to 200mW, but in an emergency, I think I'd want to go QRO.

Posted by: gp Resides Above Ordinary Subjectivity at September 04, 2023 04:03 PM (MvF+J)

185 Wide Awake Media
@wideawake_media
Greenpeace co-founder, Dr. Patrick Moore: "If we actually achieved Net Zero, at least 50% of the population would die of hunger and disease."

"At least 50% of the population depends on nitrogen fertiliser for its existence. And there's people trying to ban it, and Netherlands and Sri Lanka have already made these kinds of moves. So it is truly a death wish in disguise, and the disguise is to save the Earth, which doesn't need saving, particularly."

Full interview: youtube.com/watch?v=0kAb4Qq9kEc
For more content like this, visit: wide-awake-media.com
#ClimateScam #ClimateCult #NetZero

Posted by: BetaCuck4Lyfe at September 04, 2023 04:03 PM (vCXKu)

186 Maybe it's time for you to get a ham radio. Me, I'm avoiding buying any more radios until my antennas and other gear are enough better to make it worth the money.

Oh, and at least until the last radio I ordered actually arrives.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at September 04, 2023 04:03 PM (iZEhM)

187 And most of those cities have/had universities. Even that didn't stanch the bleeding.

Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 04:04 PM (Dz9Qm)

188 Some hams, who specialize in low power operation, called QRP, can make distant contacts with one watt output and simple wire antennas.

If it gets to that point, where we're all operating off car batteries, who thinks about making sure their Ham Radio still works ? Ham Radio operators, that's who.

Hey, I'm going to eat my own liver out of necessity, but at least I can share my experience with Kabob two oceans away !!!

Posted by: Reality at September 04, 2023 04:04 PM (nraLl)

189 176 I don't see any reason why CB would be less useful in an emergency than ham comms on 10m. Hams do have the advantage of more bands and more modes of operation, but in a genuine emergency, you use what comes to hand, and for many civilians, it will be CB.
Posted by: gp Resides Above Ordinary Subjectivity at September 04, 2023 03:59 PM (MvF+J

I'm a ham station operator and even I would go CB if the tyrants got full control. There's no licensing or identification requirements with CB. Anyone can use it.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at September 04, 2023 04:04 PM (BdMk6)

190 DOOM!

Posted by: DaveA at September 04, 2023 04:05 PM (FhXTo)

191 I have been shopping for a radio on hamizon.

Posted by: Diogenes at September 04, 2023 04:05 PM (hv9bm)

192 188 Yes, that's my prep. I've got my FT-891 ready to clamp on any car battery, and hamsticks for the roof of the car. As long as I can find a running car with gas in the tank, I'm good to go.

Posted by: gp Resides Above Ordinary Subjectivity at September 04, 2023 04:05 PM (MvF+J)

193 Come on, do something...

Posted by: AlaBAMA at September 04, 2023 03:59 PM (5xURv)

Imagine an 80's sci fi movie where the world has gone to shit but almost nobody notices and everyone worth a fuck is forced to work 70 hour weeks. While the bad guys sit in front of screens and manipulate the law to their current interpretation to put those worth a fuck into jail.

Posted by: Reforger at September 04, 2023 04:06 PM (B705c)

194 190 DOOM!
Posted by: DaveA at September 04, 2023 04:05 PM (FhXTo)

I miss Monty.

Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 04:06 PM (Dz9Qm)

195 Brian Riedl 🧀 🇺🇦
@Brian_Riedl Explosive piece in the Washington Post (by @JStein_WaPo assisted by @BudgetHawks) showing that the budget deficit is set to 𝒅𝒐𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒆 to $2 trillion this year.

This is basically unprecedented in U.S. history during relative peace and prosperity.🧵
https://t.co/Kzfs78J5jr
8:57 PM · Sep 3, 2023

Posted by: BetaCuck4Lyfe at September 04, 2023 04:07 PM (vCXKu)

196 96 year old mother

-
Germany is trying a 98 year old juvenile delinquent for unspecified acts at Sachsenhausen concentration camp.

http://tinyurl.com/4rybwcf2

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at September 04, 2023 04:07 PM (FVME7)

197 Anyone who thinks that ham radio is "without bitterness and acrimony" has never listened to 75m phone late at night.

Posted by: a.moron at September 04, 2023 04:07 PM (F6Xpw)

198 I have been shopping for a radio on hamizon.
Posted by: Diogenes

********

Nice!

Posted by: Muldoon at September 04, 2023 04:09 PM (991eG)

199 My pub friends are doing their best to get me hammered

Posted by: That Northernlurker what lurkd at September 04, 2023 04:10 PM (VdGjU)

200 200

Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 04:11 PM (Dz9Qm)

201 199 My pub friends are doing their best to get me hammered
Posted by: That Northernlurker what lurkd at September 04, 2023 04:10 PM (VdGjU)

*HAM*mered
in keeping with the thread

Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 04:11 PM (Dz9Qm)

202 Anyone who thinks that ham radio is "without bitterness and acrimony" has never listened to 75m phone late at night.
Posted by: a.moron at September 04, 2023 04:07 PM (F6Xpw)

Or even 40m for that matter. The things I've heard........

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at September 04, 2023 04:11 PM (BdMk6)

203 Sausage radio I could certainly get into.

Posted by: Barack Hussein at September 04, 2023 04:12 PM (CaJIi)

204 How close? We are in a long term decline, so effectively collapsing.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at September 04, 2023 04:13 PM (cMXNt)

205 very interesting thread

Posted by: Bob from the NSA at September 04, 2023 04:13 PM (SYTee)

206 Speaking of alcohol:

Dax, "Dear Alcohol" (I got wasted)

https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=k5ZtZEtDEGo

Posted by: m at September 04, 2023 04:13 PM (Dz9Qm)

207 68 I really hate acronyms. Reminds me of when I was in the Army and during some briefings there were entire sentences spoken that had no discernible grammar, other than the occasional 'and' and 'the'.
Posted by: Chairborne!...Desk From Above! at September 04, 2023 03:27 PM (tQ0T2)

============

TLA - 3 letter acronym
ETLA - Extended 3 letter acronym AKA 4 letter acronym
METLA - Maximum Extended Three Letter Acronym / 5 letter acronym
SMETLA - Super Maximum Extended 3 Letter Acronym/ 6 Letter Acronym

Thank you GE Nuclear Energy Division

Posted by: rd at September 04, 2023 04:14 PM (zoVfa)

208 184, Agreed about QRO. In an emergency, more power out is better. I'm thinking about preserving the power source while still getting a signal out.

BTW, those Ham Sticks aren't perfect but they do the job, don't take much space and are easy to set up with a magmount. I used to do formal traffic from my car on 20 and 40 meters using Ham Sticks.

Posted by: JTB at September 04, 2023 04:14 PM (7EjX1)

209 the budget deficit is set to 𝒅𝒐𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒆 to $2 trillion this year.

Not to worry, folks. We've the inflation we've got planned for next year this will seem like a reduction in deficit.

Posted by: Joe Biden at September 04, 2023 04:14 PM (CaJIi)

210 In a way ham radios are like guns. You can always find a reason to buy another one. I've resisted for well over a year. Now I have a reason to buy - as a reward to myself for my fortitude.

Posted by: Stw at September 04, 2023 04:17 PM (BAtz7)

211 nood

Posted by: Reforger at September 04, 2023 04:17 PM (B705c)

212 208 Yes, I have good results with the hamsticks. I have 15, 20, 30, and 40m sticks, tuned and ready to go.

Posted by: gp Resides Above Ordinary Subjectivity at September 04, 2023 04:18 PM (MvF+J)

213 May be FJB's America but I am a lot safer here than leaving near Portland. And these folks have "hard times, makin' do" mentality that is good to be around.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at September 04, 2023 04:18 PM (ouTlx)

214 very interesting thread
Posted by: Bob from the NSA at September 04, 2023 04:13 PM (SYTee)

Nice work, Bob.

Posted by: Bob's supervisor at September 04, 2023 04:20 PM (V8he0)

215 197 Anyone who thinks that ham radio is "without bitterness and acrimony" has never listened to 75m phone late at night.

Posted by: a.moron at September 04, 2023 04:07 PM (F6Xpw)

Major metro area 2m towers can be bad too, and have been for a long time.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at September 04, 2023 04:20 PM (qPw5n)

216 I am beginning to feel the need to re-watch Doomsday Preppers and The Woodsmen.

Posted by: BetaCuck4Lyfe at September 04, 2023 04:22 PM (vCXKu)

217 In WW II my late Father was Radio Operator what they refered to as Sparks got a a Award from Che-0Ki-Chec

Posted by: Tamaa the Drongo Bird at September 04, 2023 04:31 PM (FLiOE)

218 73 from a YL (translation for those of you who don't speak amateur radio: Best regards from a female amateur radio operator)

Posted by: YL at September 04, 2023 05:57 PM (34RH/)

219 I got serious about the hobby back in 2019, culminating in getting my Amateur Extra license in 2021. Last year I became a Volunteer Examiner, participating in the local administrating of tests in the Comanche County, OK vicinity.

It goes without saying that ham radio requires little infrastructure (unlike cellular communications), with only 2 individuals needed to make the call. It's so worth it to get the license and the gear as a hedge for the future.

Posted by: itzWicks at September 04, 2023 06:07 PM (Vpocp)

220 I'm making $90 an hour working from home. I never imagined that it was honest to goodness yet my closest companion is earning 16,000 US dollars a month by working on the connection, that was truly astounding for me, she prescribed for me to attempt it simply. Everybody must try this job now by just using this website... www.Salary49.com

Posted by: www.Payathome7.com at September 05, 2023 10:17 AM (ToyCL)

Processing 0.04, elapsed 0.0445 seconds.
15 queries taking 0.0156 seconds, 229 records returned.
Page size 124 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.