HAM radio? What's the big deal?

[bnsfham]

It's nice to see so many positive posts about ham radio! I have been a "ham" for almost 22 years, Extra Class for over half of it, and, though I'm not as active as I used to be, I still enjoy it. There are many, many, many thousands of good, friendly people in the hobby. If you take the test seriously, it really isn't that bad. When you're ready to take the plunge, my advice would be to find an "elmer", someone who's been a ham for a good long while that can show you what the book doesn't, like etiquette. Research and listen, listen, listen. Much like here, there are hams from ALL walks of life, generations and social backgrounds, all with opinions and ideas. Sure, there are a few bad apples that give all hams a bad wrap, but don't let that discourage you. Good luck. The following site has actual practice exams (there may be others, but I'm most familiar with this): www.qrz.com Also, I've been a Volunteer Examiner for the W5YI Group for a few years now, and we are to charge the test fee for EVERY test you take, like the ARRL. My personal opinion is to let you retake for free, the same day, but I didn't write the rules.

[Bjorno]

So I guess I have to ask:

If ham is the only thing that will remain after a major catastrophe, what happens when that major catastrophe cuts power to the HAM radio operators?

I guess another way to word it is: how much power do you need to broadcast a HAM signal a certain distance?

[Rifleman336]

So I guess I have to ask:

If ham is the only thing that will remain after a major catastrophe, what happens when that major catastrophe cuts power to the HAM radio operators?

I guess another way to word it is: how much power do you need to broadcast a HAM signal a certain distance?

Well name the disaster? Their only two circumstances that can take HAM's off the Air, one is a EMP / Nuclear attack on the nation and or a national emergency declaration by POTUS. Then one way or another we're off the air. But the government equipment might not fair very well either.

BUT on the other hand, we can operate off of a generator, Hydro power, solar cells, wind power, batteries, fuel cells ect.

Most of the Emmcomm folks has already taken this into consideration how to operate their equipment in such circumstances, and in multiple ways.

The second question ...their is no straight answer to the second question.

Rule of thumb above 30 MHz (VHF / UHF / SHF used for local comms) if using max allowable power 1500 watts on most bands, talk to out to about 50 miles radius. But thousands of miles has happened when quirks in the atmosphere called tropospheric ducting. I had a club president who talked from SW Ohio to St. Louis, MO on 2 watts!!!!

Below 30 MHz (HF AKA "Shortwaves") is the "Long Haul" bands, again most bands with the exception of 30 Meter band ( 300 watts only), and 60 Meter (50 watts when referenced to a dipole antenna), it is allowed to use up to 1500 watts.

Because were allowed to use up to 1500 doesn't mean all of us have a full legal limit set up, the average station use +/- 100 watt set ups. And this is way more then enough to work the world and beyond!!!

Heck, their are even one "sect" that are called QRPer's (QRP is a old radio signal thats radio shorthand for Reduce your power / or should I reduce my power?) they specialize in 10 watts or less with voice modes or 5 watts or less with CW (AKA Morse Code). Alot of the radios are residing in Altoids tins for crying out loud!!!! A Russian ham worked ALL CONTINENTS on only 700 Milliwatts!!!!

But even with these bands there are subject to the seasonal band fluxations, the electromagnetical disturbances from the sun, terrain, and antenna being used amongst other factors, determine how far you can talk with a paticular band.

This what makes being a HAM fun for it's random versus the typing in of a phone number and or a web address.

That it in a nut shell.

Rifleman 336

[akabu]

As far as Power cut off a small Solar Battery charger or if not your car battery,
Old way but should become familiar.
http://morsecode.scphillips.com/translator.html
http://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/index.html
http://www.qrz.com/testing.html
http://www.arrl.org/
http://www.alpharubicon.com/elect/elecpage.htm

[Tom's Backwood's]

Ham radio is a great tool when used correctly!! I have gotten many years of enjoyment with it and have spoken all over the world dit dit

[akabu]

dat

[Bjorno]

That is the info I wanted to know.

I remember reading something about 1500watts being a factor in the HAM operation, but I wasn't sure if it had to be that much wattage to get a decent distance out of the signal.

If you NEEDED 1500 watts to get anywhere, I would have a hard time seeing it as a viable communications method during a power outage. It's kinda tough to generate 1500watts on solar power.

[Buckskin]

1500 watts is max power. on the HF bands most units are powered with 100 watts. To get the higher power you have to use amplifiers.

By rule, you should only use as much power as needed to carry out the communication. If 5 watts is all you need no sense running 200.

[ChadHahn]

Don't spend money on test books. There are lots of online tests that give you all the questions and answers in the test pool. Before I took the test I went through practices online until I knew all the answers and aced the test. It took me a weekend.

Chad

[Panzer]

Same here Chad. Online tests are easy and free.