Amatuer Radio operators

Got any HAMs on the board? Working on studying for my general class while also trying to study for the CCNP - bad idea, I know

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veritas_libertas

HAM on board...

mattlee09

Leo Laporte was talking about this on TWIT last week.

I think its awesome, carry on! It's definitely a valuable skill, especially since the past few years have seen so many devastating catastrophes bring down complete infrastructures.

Apparently he is also doing some sort of HAM radio podcast now due to popular demand, you might check into that.

Much luck to you my friend! Carry on!

jamesleecoleman

I'm working on the tech class very slowly. How long have you been studying?

cyberguypr

Took Technician Plus over 12 years ago. Passed Novice, Tech and the code test the same day. That was before I started doing certs. I've been wanting to do General for the last 3 years but IT certs keep me busy. I recently bought a 2m/70cm dualband HT to get the mood going.

alan2308

I was a radio tech in the military so I have no excuse not to be licensed. It's been a fixture on my to-do list for years.

vinbuck

jamesleecoleman wrote: »

I'm working on the tech class very slowly. How long have you been studying?

I've only been studying for the General for about a week but it doesn't take long to study for these since you get all the questions beforehand. It only took me a weekend to study and pass the technician. Amateur Radio is a bit backwards from IT certs in that it's much easier to pass the exam and then learn the technology in depth afterwards because you aren't legally allowed to use it until you have the license. I learn way more from hands on than I do from reading tech material so I'm trying to get through the General as quickly as possible so I can purchase an HF rig and start tinkering.

vinbuck

alan2308 wrote: »

I was a radio tech in the military so I have no excuse not to be licensed. It's been a fixture on my to-do list for years.

it only costs about 15 bucks (varies from state to state but 15 is average) and you can knock the studying out in a weekend. Used ham radios can be had for under 100 if you check craigslist and ebay frequently. It's a fun hobby and can be a lifesaver if you're far away from civilization and cell towers and have a ham radio in your vehicle. You can always join one of the Armed Forces MARS programs if you yearn for the rigidity of a military radio net

American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources

JDMurray

General Class here. I've sworn I won't go for my Extra until I have a working base station at my house. I've got everything I need except antenna(s) up on my roof. I've been meaning to check my city's antenna laws, but I just haven't gotten around to it. I think I'd much rather write HAM radio software than actually talk on the radio.

73

veritas_libertas

I need to get around to taking the General class. If I do that, I will need to get an HF rig and some antennas going. That is going to have to wait until college is done.

veritas_libertas

Are any of you using D-Star?

JDMurray

Anybody else on EchoLink? It's an amateur radio network that uses the Internet (VoIP) rather than the airwaves. It's limited to only licensed amateurs, so think of it as a worldwide voice/Morse IRC for HAM radio people only.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echolink

PhoneGuy

Another ham here. Was first licensed in 1976. I hold and extra ticket and enjoy relaxing on 40 meter CW. CW, yea, morse code, the original digital mode.

73

PC509

Technician Class here. KE7UOP. Working towards my general class.

JDMurray

Leo Laporte's new ham radio podcast, Ham Nation. It's hosted by Bob Heil, K9EID, and Gordon West, WB6NOA. They record it live on Tuesday at 6PM Pacific/9PM Eastern. You can watch it live at TWiT Live - netcasts you love, from people you trust and participate in the IRC chat room. Or you can just download and watch it later like I usually do.

Bob Heil talks about his rock-and-roll speakers and microphones background on another Leo Laporte podcast episode here.

Bl8ckr0uter

Seriously thinking about doing this.

exampasser

A little bit off topic but I've used to mess around with CB radios a while back (even made a dipole antenna with speaker wire that worked as I was able to talk to someone across the sound), I have a large CB dipole in the attic (it's now being used as a tv antenna but I'm planning to buy another antenna as I've been having some issues with some channels.) I also listen to HAMs on my scanner when I'm bored. Wireless communication has always fascinated me.

veritas_libertas

JDMurray wrote: »

Anybody else on EchoLink? It's an amateur radio network that uses the Internet (VoIP) rather than the airwaves. It's limited to only licensed amateurs, so think of it as a worldwide voice/Morse IRC for HAM radio people only.

Echolink - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Maybe we should start a TE Ham Radio Net

Bl8ckr0uter

Any good places to go to get started? I am thinking about it not only from a geek points perspective but a survival perspective

veritas_libertas

Bl8ckr0uter wrote: »

Any good places to go to get started? I am thinking about it not only from a geek points perspective but a survival perspective

Check out the ARRL's web site: American Radio Relay League | ARRL - The national association for AMATEUR RADIO

JDMurray

Bl8ckr0uter wrote: »

Any good places to go to get started? I am thinking about it not only from a geek points perspective but a survival perspective

Amateur radio can be so overwhelming with all the technology and regulations and everything that I highly recommend finding an amateur radio club near you. They will help you get the basic Technicians class license and let you practice on their GOTA (Get On The Air) equipment. You can find a club listing at ARRL | Get Involved in Ham Radio | Connect, Volunteer, Learn, Donate

JDMurray

Episode 72 of TWiT's Home Theater Geeks podcast with Scott Wilkinson has an interview with Bob Heil. Apparently, in addition to speakers, microphones, and ham radio, Bob is also a pioneer in satellite dish TV and home theater systems. A very interesting interview indeed.

MrAgent

I just ordered the book take and pass the technician exam. Ordered it through amazon prime, and got free next day delivery.

Amazon.com: Ham Radio License Manual with CD (Arrl Ham Radio License Manual) (9780872590977): arrl: Books

Thinking of taking it in a couple of weeks.

veritas_libertas

JDMurray wrote: »

Episode 72 of TWiT's Home Theater Geeks podcast with Scott Wilkinson has an interview with Bob Heil. Apparently, in addition to speakers, microphones, and ham radio, Bob is also a pioneer in satellite dish TV and home theater systems. A very interesting interview indeed.

Anyone else seen the ham radio setup at the new TWIT brick building? It's incredible to say the least...

JDMurray

I heard that Gordon West got ICOM and other companies to donate equipment to TWiT. I only listen to the audio releases of the podcasts, so I haven't seen it yet. I'd sure like to travel up to Petaluma and get some air time in Leo's station. I wonder if he has his QSL cards printed yet, or maybe he'll just do digital.

whatthehell

Random question for you guys --- and excuse my ignorance, since I have never played around with such tech!

Is it difficult and/or possible to listen to cell phone conversations using this tech? The reason why I bring it up is that my parents have some neighbors that are less than desirable, and they have a large antennae on top of their house (so HAM operator). Heard from some friends that it would be possible to listen in on cell phone conversations, but it is highly illegal.

Thoughts? Sorry -- not trying to hijack this thread --- but you guys all seem pretty knowledgeable.

cyberguypr

With the right equipment you could theoretically monitor analog calls but almost everything is digital these days, therefore not possible to monitor. Probability of them listening to calls, extremely low.

Of course the above doesn't apply if they work for the NSA.

veritas_libertas

cyberguypr wrote: »

With the right equipment you could theoretically monitor analog calls but almost everything is digital these days, therefore not possible to monitor. Probability of them listening to calls, extremely low.

Of course the above doesn't apply if they work for the NSA.

Correct. It use to be possible when they were analog, much less likely now that it's all digital.

whatthehell

Thanks very much for the info! Really appreciate the details, as I will tell my folks and it should give them some peace of mind.

JDMurray

Amateur radio does not include the RF bands licensed for cellular communications. Any equipment capable of communicating on cellular transmission bands is not considered part of amateur radio. I believe that it is illegal to possess a scanner capable of intercepting/eavesdropping on cellular transmissions without the proper license.

veritas_libertas

JDMurray wrote: »

Amateur radio does not include the RF bands licensed for cellular communications. Any equipment capable of communicating on cellular transmission bands is not considered part of amateur radio. I believe that it is illegal to possess a scanner capable of intercepting/eavesdropping on cellular transmissions without the proper license.

Not that I'm aware of, but I do know that those frequencies are blocked on any radio I've owned that goes that high. I'm going to have to check the FCC rules, but I believe it's the listening to, not the owning that is illegal. I know that in some areas Cellular capable radios have been modified to use the 900MHz Amateur band. If your right, than those radios are illegal. My FCC rule book is way old, so I'm going to have to do some googling