Calling ATOT hams

[Beattie]

Hey.

I got my license a year ago but never had a radio to talk to anyone. I just had this old radioshack scanner that I would use every once in a while to listen to things.

So I bought myself a 2m HT radio to play with. You know, see if there was anything interesting out there.

Anyone here have a ham license and use it at all?

 

[DurocShark]

I always wondered what the attraction was when the internet is so much more efficient and has a much longer range...

Share your thoughts please? I'm genuinely curious.

 

[Heisenberg]

I'm licensed. I was into it way more before I moved. Since I only know 1 person now who's licensed besides me, I mostly just listen during severe weather. As for why, it's a hobby just like everything else. It's fun to build and tinker with this stuff. Also, ham radios are entirely self-sufficient so in emergencies when power and phone lines go down, a ham radio network can effectively coordinate relief operations. They also provide non-emergency communication services for things like marathons, etc.

 

[notfred]

I despise ham radio... my dad is a ham and his fvcking equipment fvcks up the TV and phone signals and causes the internet connection to drop whenever he talks. I'm glad I don't live there anymore.

 

[xenocyd3]

[nelson]ha ha[/nelson]

 

[WannaFly]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Also, ham radios are entirely self-sufficient so in emergencies when power and phone lines go down, a ham radio network can effectively coordinate relief operations

Why don't I believe this?

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: WannaFly

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Also, ham radios are entirely self-sufficient so in emergencies when power and phone lines go down, a ham radio network can effectively coordinate relief operations

Why don't I believe this?

I don't know. Why don't you?

 

[JW310]

Originally posted by: WannaFly

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Also, ham radios are entirely self-sufficient so in emergencies when power and phone lines go down, a ham radio network can effectively coordinate relief operations

Why don't I believe this?

We use generators and batteries to provide power when the power lines go down. A large percentage of ham radio equipment is made to run off of 13.8 volts which, conveniently, is the voltage provided by car batteries and marine lead acid batteries.

Still don't believe it?

JW

 

[WannaFly]

Originally posted by: JW310

Originally posted by: WannaFly

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Also, ham radios are entirely self-sufficient so in emergencies when power and phone lines go down, a ham radio network can effectively coordinate relief operations

Why don't I believe this?

We use generators and batteries to provide power when the power lines go down. A large percentage of ham radio equipment is made to run off of 13.8 volts which, conveniently, is the voltage provided by car batteries and marine lead acid batteries.

Still don't believe it?

JW

Ok I believe that. But that invalidates his entire "self-sufficient" aspect 😀

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: WannaFly

Originally posted by: JW310

Originally posted by: WannaFly

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Also, ham radios are entirely self-sufficient so in emergencies when power and phone lines go down, a ham radio network can effectively coordinate relief operations

Why don't I believe this?

We use generators and batteries to provide power when the power lines go down. A large percentage of ham radio equipment is made to run off of 13.8 volts which, conveniently, is the voltage provided by car batteries and marine lead acid batteries.

Still don't believe it?

JW

Ok I believe that. But that invalidates his entire "self-sufficient" aspect 😀

By self-sufficient I also meant it doesn't require an existing infrastructure like phones and internet do. You can just have people show up with radios, choose a frequency, and you have an instant network.

 

[jadinolf]

I'm W6OHI and have about $5000 worth of ham gear collecting dust in the shack.

The Internet has taken over my life.

 

[Brutuskend]

Ummm I thought you ment ME.

Never mind...

 

[Beattie]

Originally posted by: DurocShark
I always wondered what the attraction was when the internet is so much more efficient and has a much longer range...

Share your thoughts please? I'm genuinely curious.

I kind of think the same thing. But my former bosses were into it when I was in college, so I wanted to give it a shot. When I get some more experience I will let you know

 

[Beattie]

Originally posted by: WannaFly

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Also, ham radios are entirely self-sufficient so in emergencies when power and phone lines go down, a ham radio network can effectively coordinate relief operations

Why don't I believe this?

Because you have never heard of batteries?

 

[crumpet19]

Actually, I'm going to try and take the test at the Oklahoma Ham Fest in OKC on the 17-19.
Anyone know of a decent BUDGET 2m setup? I'm limited to about $200-300 here.

 

[DrumminBoy]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
Ummm I thought you ment ME.

Never mind...

lol I thought he was talking about you too

 

[OutHouse]

Citrix = KB0OGT

Just renewed my license last week.

 

[Beattie]

Originally posted by: crumpet19
Actually, I'm going to try and take the test at the Oklahoma Ham Fest in OKC on the 17-19.
Anyone know of a decent BUDGET 2m setup? I'm limited to about $200-300 here.

That's easy. I got an icom ic-v8 2m HT. It's got 5.5 watts, so that's more than enough to hit the local repeaters. Cost like $125. You can find a bunch of stuff for cheap, especially 2 meter.

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: Beattie

Originally posted by: crumpet19
Actually, I'm going to try and take the test at the Oklahoma Ham Fest in OKC on the 17-19.
Anyone know of a decent BUDGET 2m setup? I'm limited to about $200-300 here.

That's easy. I got an icom ic-v8 2m HT. It's got 5.5 watts, so that's more than enough to hit the local repeaters. Cost like $125. You can find a bunch of stuff for cheap, especially 2 meter.

Yip, especially at a HAM Fest.

 

[DeeKnow]

I believe most of the thrill (of talking to someone across the ocean) went out once the Internet became ubiquitous... but ham radio still has uses .... you know there are still places where the Internet doesn't reach....

 

[daveymark]

I think my license just expired two weeks ago. I never really considered myself a ham anyway, as I only had the Tech class, no morse code. I suppose I'll never live it down....

 

[Raincity]

Originally posted by: DurocShark
I always wondered what the attraction was when the internet is so much more efficient and has a much longer range...

Share your thoughts please? I'm genuinely curious.

Once you get radio DXing in your blood it never goes away. The whole reason I got into computers back in 83 was to decode radio teletype without having to take out a second mortgage.