The Skinny on Ham Radio: Getting Licensed

The Survival Mom ^ | Jan 2012 | Survival Mom

[Professional Engineer]

A lot of preppers are talking about Ham radio as a communications system during and after an SHTF event. The ability to listen and even talk with people vast distances away in real time is powerful tool.

For a very long time I’ve wanted to get an Amateur Radio license (“Ham”). For one reason or another I never undertook the study and the test. Until now. I have just passed my Technician’s license exam! (as of writing this) While it will still be a couple of weeks before I get my official station call sign, I’m very excited and already preparing for the next step of licensing. In this article I will walk you through the details of exactly how to get your first Ham radio license. It isn’t a hard process but can be a bit confusing and I didn’t find any one source that clearly listed it all.

[Professional Engineer]

You get the call/license so you can practice the craft.

I have been storm spotting/chasing for a long time. Being able to communicate with other spotters and NWS is crucial.

[mylife]

I put a capacitor in backwards and it exploded.

Yeah, that with get your attention!

[JoeFromSidney]

I was terrible with morse code. I understand thats not a requirement anymore though.

That is correct. Morse is no longer required.

I got my Technician and Novice licenses in 1952 (Novice Class no longer exists). Both required Morse at 5 words per minute. I let my licenses expire when I was traveling around in the Air Force and couldn't maintain a ham station. About 15 years ago I got what was then called the "no-code Technician" license. Later, when the code requirement was eliminated, I went to the Dayton Hamvention and took the tests for both General and Extra. Passed both. Still operate mostly on VHF because I don't have room for an HF antenna. However, I find it's a nice hobby.

[driftdiver]

It was highly embarrassing to do it in front of a guy who could do it in his sleep.

[bossmechanic]

So if I buy a Maxowatt Humslinger and start blabbing, declaring myself just a Georgia good ol’ boy won’t be appreciated? lol
Seriously... I’ve noticed (good)SW radios seldom pop up at flea markets or pawn shops. I can see where it’s good to be legit just to get advice on advanced technical issues like antenna design, range, etc.
I need to get one just to broaden my horizon...so to speak.

[mylife]

Did it clear a few components from the board? LOL

[gibsosa]

bump

[steve86]

I am doing just that (listening without a license) on a 2M handheld I purchased last month. Extremely pleased with the WOUXUN KG-UV2D VHF/UHF Dual Band HT and am listening to mountain-top repeaters 125+ miles away crystal clear. Also recommend the Degen DE1103 for shortwave listening.

I will take the exam(s) in March; figure I know about 75% of the material right now just by osmosis over the years. I purchased both these radios for a total of $160, plus some more in accessories. The Degen active loop indoor antenna (about $27) works extremely well to reduce noise.

[JDoutrider]

marker

[mylife]

I can see where it’s good to be legit just to get advice on advanced technical issues like antenna design, range, etc.

Exactly

[steve86]

I am doing just that (listening without a license) on a 2M handheld I purchased last month. Extremely pleased with the WOUXUN KG-UV2D VHF/UHF Dual Band HT and am listening to mountain-top repeaters 125+ miles away crystal clear. Also recommend the Degen DE1103 for shortwave listening.

I will take the exam(s) in March; figure I know about 75% of the material right now just by osmosis over the years.

I purchased both these radios for a total of $160, plus some more in accessories. The Degen active loop indoor antenna (about $27) works extremely well to reduce noise.

[mylife]

Sometimes prowling the bands is rewarding.

[call meVeronica]

Ping

[call meVeronica]

Ping

[lonevoice]

ping

[carbonarc]

Surprised no one has mentioned the good old Radio Shack scanners. Modern versions can pick up any signal out there, including police, aviation, and ham. These can be programmed to search defined blocks of frequencies for traffic. Even better, one can check the databases at RadioReference.com for a listing of freqs in use in your area and program them into the scanner. Most Stormwatch groups publish their operating freqs on the web, and these are informative during times of bad weather such as we saw last April.

[steve86]

BTW, these are some of the only Chinese products I know of that are really first rate, even state of the art at anywhere near their price class.

[RhoTheta]

Future reference bump. I would like to be on that ping list when it resurfaces.

I got my Novice ticket around 1955, then upgraded to Tech a year later. A Tech license that old (I kept it kept renewed) converted to a Tech Plus. Since they did away with the General Class code requirement, I believe I could convert the Tech Plus to a General.

I was active on 2m repeaters a couple of decades ago, but now I'm brushing up my code skills, because my SHTF plan includes a QRP CW rig, battery and longwire antenna in a bug-out ammo box.

[steve86]

Yes, I have the Pro-106, which I reluctantly had to invest in after the public service (most of it) around here went digital. Works great, though, and it shares the Larsen tri-band outdoor antenna with the 2M (switch it back and forth). RS typically takes $100 off the digital scanners during the Christmas sale (whoops, that's over).

[Lees Swrd]

One of the best thing’s about being a Ham many years ago we had some of the best TV antennas and reception in the community! Now I have the best WIFI.