Vanity: Just passed my General Class License (Ham Radio)...with some interesting observations

arrl ^ | 4 Feb 12 | dcbryan1

[DCBryan1]

20 or so people in there, half of them under 30 going for their technician. I was one of 2 in there to upgrade to general, and one showed up for the highest class, amateur extra.

Anyways, I ask this kid (22-25yo) "Why are you getting into ham radio"? He matter-of-factly said, "For the upcoming zombie apocalypse". I laughed and half the room turned around, glad to proclaim the same, hell even bragging about it! A couple more admitted that they were embarrased to say that but essentially that is why they were there.

I found out with a little more prodding that some of them have family members either already taken the exam(s) or studying for it in solely in case the balloon goes up.

Anyways, your days of old guys in wearing dirty hats, thick glasses, and coveralls with pocket protectors and the newest Texas Instrument calculator or slide scale are LONG gone in ham radio. Lots of young, professional, worried, high and tight clean haircut young adults and family units getting into it as a last ditch effort to communicate with family. Hell...2 girls in there! Wife and daughter!

Anyways, just an acute observation for you guys, especially the Preppers.

[Political Junkie Too]

You could be right. My examiner is from the San Joaquin Valley, which is quite rural.

By the way, I've noticed this before with others on the ham threads, but haven't said anything until now.

If you wish to maintain your anonymity on FR, you should hit abuse on yourself and ask the mods to remove your post.

You license lets me see your real name and home address.

-PJ

[1066AD]

Alternatively use old “boat anchor” tube equipment, it’s EMP proof. The Soviet avionics used tubes to the end, claimed it was for that reason tho’ sceptics said it was because they didn’t have the know-how for solid state.

[Charles Martel]

You license lets me see your real name and home address.

That suspicion did occur - about two seconds after I clicked "Post". Seems odd that you have to create a secure account login to get a FRN, but the actual license info is fully public. Not surprising, just odd. :-)

[Political Junkie Too]

Yeah, I looked it up in the FCC ULS database. Still waiting for mine to appear.

-PJ

[Political Junkie Too]

I hope that others on the ham threads see this and ask for their posts to be removed, too.

-PJ

[09Patriot]

ha, I was just searching for Ham stuff on FR and I seen your post. anyway do you think if the SHTF or the zombie apocalypse happens anyone will give a rip about fcc regs lol
-—kg5wen
73’s