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Vanity: Just passed my General Class License (Ham Radio)...with some interesting observations
arrl ^ | 4 Feb 12 | dcbryan1

Posted on 02/04/2012 12:36:51 PM PST by 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.


TOPICS: Hobbies; Miscellaneous; Reference; Weather
KEYWORDS: amateurradio; commo; communication; election2012; ham; hamradio; prepper; preppers; survival; survivalism; vanity; zombie; zombieapocalypse
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FWIW....out here. 73s!

Oh...btw...one of the examiners DID look like this:


1 posted on 02/04/2012 12:37:01 PM PST by DCBryan1
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To: Kartographer

Ping to the Prepper King!


2 posted on 02/04/2012 12:37:49 PM PST by DCBryan1 (Id rather have a man who wrecked his marriage as POTUS than a man who wrecked his country!)
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To: DCBryan1

after death Mormon converts ???


3 posted on 02/04/2012 12:41:24 PM PST by Tennessee Nana (Romney I like firing people......and IÂ’m not concerned about the very poor.)
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To: DCBryan1

Welcome aboard.


4 posted on 02/04/2012 12:41:51 PM PST by Lx (Do you like it, do you like it. Scott? I call it Mr. and Mrs. Tennerman chili.)
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To: DCBryan1

Zombie Apocolypse

Entitlement Zombies will rise up when the money finally runs out. (or the currency value anyway)


5 posted on 02/04/2012 12:42:04 PM PST by GeronL (The Right to Life came before the Right to Pursue Happiness)
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To: DCBryan1; waterhill; ixtl
"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!

LOL!

Prepper (((ping)))!

Which one of you are going to get your license?

6 posted on 02/04/2012 12:43:17 PM PST by Envisioning ( Call me a racist................, one more time......................)
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To: DCBryan1
Congrats!

I'm hanging on to my Advanced class, because it's grandfathered, and I never really wanted to work that tiny slice of bands reserved for extras.

I've spent many years enjoying the hobby. Remember to keep the code speed up. Sometimes, CW is the only thing that can get through.

/johnny

7 posted on 02/04/2012 12:46:12 PM PST by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
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To: DCBryan1

I’m not surprised at all. More and more people are having their eyes opened and once they get over their shock and disbelief the more intelligent AND willing are starting to do something to protect their loved ones and themselves.

For a few that I have talked to very recently the turning point was the Georgia Obama/NBC decision for others it was MFGlobal and how that has been handled.

I just hope that it’s not to late.


8 posted on 02/04/2012 12:46:28 PM PST by The Working Man (The mantra for BO's reign...."No Child Left a Dime")
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To: DCBryan1

I have some nice Icom receivers(R7100, R1, R20) and have always wanted to get my Ham License...no need for morse code anymore, right?


9 posted on 02/04/2012 12:49:37 PM PST by BreezyDog (PLAN A: A Peaceful Restoration of the Republic.....PLAN B: A Restoration of the Republic)
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To: DCBryan1; Kartographer

2nd Kart ping and BTTT.


10 posted on 02/04/2012 12:52:07 PM PST by PA Engineer (Time to beat the swords of government tyranny into the plowshares of freedom.)
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To: BreezyDog
...no need for morse code anymore, right?

CORRECT!.....but CW (morse code) is a good skill to learn, kinda like primitive fire making....;)

Anyways, I got my General after 11 hours of study over 5-6 days from Ham Radio License Exam Online.

I scored 95 percent today when I upgraded from technician to general, so I actually OVERSTUDIED by 20 percent! With the ease and simplicity of the online study format, I'm going to go ahead and pay for the Amateur Extra and take that in a couple of weeks, even though, as of yesterday I had no desire.

11 posted on 02/04/2012 12:54:17 PM PST by DCBryan1 (Id rather have a man who wrecked his marriage as POTUS than a man who wrecked his country!)
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To: DCBryan1

Were you at FrostFest too? I went there to get back into the hobby. Felt lost with all the equipment.


12 posted on 02/04/2012 12:54:36 PM PST by tenger (It's a good thing we don't get all the government we pay for. -Will Rogers)
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To: DCBryan1
Is that the same guy as this:?

http://www.dxwatch.com/qrz/lookup.php?c=W6OPO


13 posted on 02/04/2012 12:55:53 PM PST by Paladin2
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To: DCBryan1
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.

Looks like you were definitely in the minority there........let me guess, they were all your grandkids.........LOL!

14 posted on 02/04/2012 12:58:13 PM PST by Hot Tabasco (The only solution to this primary is a shoot out! Last person standing picks the candidate)
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To: DCBryan1
I am amazed to read your observations but not surprised. People are far smarter than they when they're out with their friends. When everything is done via the WWW not only does privacy crash but the control of information is completely up for grabs. I figured Ham was about the safest alternative and certainly in keeping with a free-market in information. I wonder, can it be adapted for wireless information transfer?
15 posted on 02/04/2012 12:58:19 PM PST by the invisib1e hand (religion + guns = liberty)
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To: DCBryan1

Congratulations but I am taking the advice of another FReeper to not be on any FCC license list if TSHTF (2M).


16 posted on 02/04/2012 12:58:19 PM PST by steve86 (Acerbic by nature, not nurture (Could be worst in 40 years))
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To: DCBryan1

73’s I got my No Code Tech License in 8th Grade radio club... license was issued on 2/4/92, so today is 20 years.

I never have upgraded, just never found the time/desire to sit down and study it.


17 posted on 02/04/2012 1:02:23 PM PST by PrinterEagle
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To: Envisioning; DCBryan1

Congrats DCBryan1!

As for me, I am interested. This is really something I should do. There are resources in my area; it is a matter of making time to meet.


18 posted on 02/04/2012 1:04:45 PM PST by thecodont
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To: appalachian_dweller; OldPossum; DuncanWaring; VirginiaMom; CodeToad; goosie; kalee; ...

Prepper’s Ping


19 posted on 02/04/2012 1:04:45 PM PST by Kartographer ("We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.")
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To: GeronL

I’ve read about Homeland Security and the FBI monitoring the Internet for discussions of zombies, since you can discuss survivalism, military tactics and evasion tactics under that guise.

I can also see how ham radio gets a thumbs up post-Apocalypse (of any type).
* Not easily monitored by the government like your cell phone conversations via monitoring software or internet activities.
* Works even after an EMP attack if you put it in properly shielded storage.
* It’s an existing network of emergency communications volunteers today, so joining with hams gives you a communication and support network immediately.
* I know lots of hams who were preppers for nuclear war, so you can find modern day preppers of the older generation, just gaining new ones for new threats today.


20 posted on 02/04/2012 1:06:46 PM PST by tbw2
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