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Will note that having a license can be useful outside of ham, too. E.g. if you're a hiker it can be handy to be able to carry a "real" radio with you. The licen

by gh02t 4y ago

Will note that having a license can be useful outside of ham, too. E.g. if you're a hiker it can be handy to be able to carry a "real" radio with you. The license test doesn't cost much and is super easy (the entire pool of questions/answers is posted online and there are study guides).

jmbwell 4y ago
The questions are set to change later in 2023, so now would be a good time for anyone who wants to do so to study up and take the test…
- swalberg 4y ago
  Just for General. Technician changed last year.
Yhippa 4y ago
Question: why is a license needed? Is it so that users don't pollute the airwaves?
- drewnick 4y ago
  Basically, yes. The test filters out at least a subset of users who are not interested in the tech side. You can get a gmrs license without a test and those frequencies tend to have less decorum as a result.
  - justin66 4y ago
    The same is true of CB (Citizens Band) radio, except “less decorum” would be putting it mildly.
- wkat4242 4y ago
  Yes but it's also to make sure you know what you're doing, both in a technical and procedural way. The point of a ham license is not to buy a $50 baofeng from AliExpress and chat. We all do that but it's more a way to talk about the actual hobby. But the point of the license is to build radios yourself, experiment with new modes, be on the bleeding edge. Obviously you need to know what you're doing in order to not cause interference. If you just want to chat and/or have emergency comms for hiking, just buy a GMRS or InReach, PLB etc. Ham radio is really about having radio as a hobby and technical interest. PS: I'm not one of the ham elitists and I like the availability of easily accessible licences for starters like the novice one. But it's important to realize what it's all about. If you're not into that you will find the chat on the bands very boring. I'm a hiker and a ham and I carry both my ham radio and an InReach. Only the latter I really consider my emergency comms. The radio is more for fun. Nobody monitors the ham frequencies professionally unlike InReach which is backed by the GEOS emergency center. A PLB is arguably even better but I don't go into situations where I'd really need it and I like the way the InReach lets me message my family too. I don't consider a ham radio a tool for personal emergencies. For major emergencies it's a different thing, when there's a disaster all the ARES guys will break out their kit and will provide what I'm sure will be an amazing network. But don't rely on someone listening when you're alone in the hills.
- amatecha 4y ago
  Partly yeah, radio spectrum is a limited resource. All users of radio spectrum have to work within agreed-upon limitations. Further, radios can be dangerous. Someone operating radio transmission equipment could harm others or themselves if the equipment is not being used properly. There are many regulations around the usage of radios and "proving" one is sufficiently aware of these regulations is also part of the reason behind requiring a license. In Canada we don't call it a license, it's merely a certificate of proficiency, to indicate your capabilities/knowledge in respect to the amateur radio regulations.
- throwawayx134ax 4y ago
  Primarily, yes. There are international treaties regarding power, frequency, and transmissions that make sure you're not stomping on people. Each of the countries involved wants to make sure the operators know and understand what is expected.
- Manuel_D 4y ago
  Back before widespread adoption of the internet espionage was a real concern for radio. In fact, amateur radio across the board was suspended during WWII. But this is not really the case now. These days it's more about preventing interference with aviation, maritime, and other bands. Realistically, people buy Baofengs [1] and transmit on GMRS frequencies while paintballing or airsoft all the time and nobody gives a crap. When they do it on amateur frequencies, hams will demand their callsign complain. I swear, there's at least a half dozen people staring at their spectrum analyzers all day. 1. A popular, cheap VHF/UHF radio: https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B00...
- golem14 4y ago
  Same reason you need a driver's license to drive a car.
teeray 4y ago
Yeah, it’s kinda wild that with a packable QRP rig for SOTA, you can pretty reliably get in touch with someone (that being the entire point of SOTA). Of course I’d try more conventional means first in an emergency situation while hiking, but I certainly like having backup comms.
ShakataGaNai 4y ago
The emergency preparedness aspect of Ham is highly under valued/underappreciated... or at least it goes unnoticed. First, most modern handy talkies (what Ham's call their hand held radios) are also very solid "scanners". In so far as you can tune in to a lot of different frequencies and listen. Weather alerts, AM/FM Radio (like the kind you used to listen to in your car before spotify)... you name it. Super handy if you say, lose power and cell service. Speaking of which, remember that cell service is heavily dependent on a number of external factors. Like the antenna's still being upright (earthquakes, tornado, hurricanes are bad). There still being power. There still being connectivity (typically fiber optic)... and most importantly - NOT being overloaded. With a Ham radio you can listen or transmit, with no other dependencies. For more local issues, like hiking or camping. Even if you're out of cell range, your radio may very well work. A 5W handy talky can reach up to 30 miles, depending on your location (basically line of sight). If you can get to the top of a hill or mountain and get a clear view - you can get a signal out to someone. All you need to do is get on the 2-Meter Band Calling Frequency (146.520 Mhz) or the 70-Centimeter Band Calling Frequency (446.000 Mhz) and it's a safe bet someone out there is probably listening. Even better if you've looked up local repeaters in the area. Also, the radio's are stupid cheap now. BaoFeng makes "cheap and cheerful" (nicest way to describe them) handheld units: Like a 8watt unit for $70 USD. https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-BF-F8HP-Two-Way-136-174Mhz-400-520Mhz/dp/B00MAULSOK/ https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-BF-F8HP-Two-Way-136-174Mhz-40... -- They even sell 2 packs of slightly weaker radios for $50 total. Are they the best? No. Should you splurge and get something better? Totally. Like a 10W radio that support DMR (Digital Mode) for $180 https://www.amazon.com/Radioddity-GD-AT10G-Handheld-Digital-Rechargeable/dp/B0BLVFBSM6/ https://www.amazon.com/Radioddity-GD-AT10G-Handheld-Digital-... . But if you just want to get your ham and use it once-every year... get a $50 radio and toss it in your car or something similar. Just make sure to get alkaline batteries for them. Lithium rechargeable are nice but lose charge over time.
- phickey 4y ago
  I am a hiker and a ham and I disagree with this advice. I carried a ham radio while hiking for years and they were never a useful safety device. Here in the PNW, anywhere I was prominent enough to reach a repeater or another ham on the calling frequency, I also had plenty of cell signal. Whenever I was off the ridgelines and down in valleys, I wouldn’t be able to reach anyone with either method. Both cell phones and handheld ham radios are roughly line of sight, and when you are down in an uninhabited valley without cell coverage, it also quite doubtful there is another ham listening. I swapped carrying a ham radio for a Garmin inReach a few years ago and it has been far more useful. I pay an annual service charge, but in return I can let my partner know I’m safe a few times a day, and I can use it to arrange for rides, neither of which I could do via ham. I have never had a problem getting reception, and it’s a much smaller, lighter device, and it recharges via USB so I never worry about spare batteries. There are some ham specific activities for carrying a radio on the trail, like summits on the air, but if you are just trying to go hiking, get an inreach.
tlavoie 4y ago
Indeed, I have found mine handy for things like contacting the logging company whose sign indicated a closed hiking trail. I think I startled the gent by popping up on the radio, but was able to confirm that they were done for the day, and we could continue safely.

by gh02t 4y ago

jmbwell 4y ago

The questions are set to change later in 2023, so now would be a good time for anyone who wants to do so to study up and take the test…

swalberg 4y ago
Just for General. Technician changed last year.

Yhippa 4y ago

Question: why is a license needed? Is it so that users don't pollute the airwaves?

drewnick 4y ago
Basically, yes. The test filters out at least a subset of users who are not interested in the tech side. You can get a gmrs license without a test and those frequencies tend to have less decorum as a result.
- justin66 4y ago
  The same is true of CB (Citizens Band) radio, except “less decorum” would be putting it mildly.
wkat4242 4y ago
Yes but it's also to make sure you know what you're doing, both in a technical and procedural way. The point of a ham license is not to buy a $50 baofeng from AliExpress and chat. We all do that but it's more a way to talk about the actual hobby. But the point of the license is to build radios yourself, experiment with new modes, be on the bleeding edge. Obviously you need to know what you're doing in order to not cause interference. If you just want to chat and/or have emergency comms for hiking, just buy a GMRS or InReach, PLB etc. Ham radio is really about having radio as a hobby and technical interest. PS: I'm not one of the ham elitists and I like the availability of easily accessible licences for starters like the novice one. But it's important to realize what it's all about. If you're not into that you will find the chat on the bands very boring. I'm a hiker and a ham and I carry both my ham radio and an InReach. Only the latter I really consider my emergency comms. The radio is more for fun. Nobody monitors the ham frequencies professionally unlike InReach which is backed by the GEOS emergency center. A PLB is arguably even better but I don't go into situations where I'd really need it and I like the way the InReach lets me message my family too. I don't consider a ham radio a tool for personal emergencies. For major emergencies it's a different thing, when there's a disaster all the ARES guys will break out their kit and will provide what I'm sure will be an amazing network. But don't rely on someone listening when you're alone in the hills.
amatecha 4y ago
Partly yeah, radio spectrum is a limited resource. All users of radio spectrum have to work within agreed-upon limitations. Further, radios can be dangerous. Someone operating radio transmission equipment could harm others or themselves if the equipment is not being used properly. There are many regulations around the usage of radios and "proving" one is sufficiently aware of these regulations is also part of the reason behind requiring a license. In Canada we don't call it a license, it's merely a certificate of proficiency, to indicate your capabilities/knowledge in respect to the amateur radio regulations.
throwawayx134ax 4y ago
Primarily, yes. There are international treaties regarding power, frequency, and transmissions that make sure you're not stomping on people. Each of the countries involved wants to make sure the operators know and understand what is expected.
Manuel_D 4y ago
Back before widespread adoption of the internet espionage was a real concern for radio. In fact, amateur radio across the board was suspended during WWII. But this is not really the case now. These days it's more about preventing interference with aviation, maritime, and other bands. Realistically, people buy Baofengs [1] and transmit on GMRS frequencies while paintballing or airsoft all the time and nobody gives a crap. When they do it on amateur frequencies, hams will demand their callsign complain. I swear, there's at least a half dozen people staring at their spectrum analyzers all day. 1. A popular, cheap VHF/UHF radio: https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B00...
golem14 4y ago
Same reason you need a driver's license to drive a car.

teeray 4y ago

Yeah, it’s kinda wild that with a packable QRP rig for SOTA, you can pretty reliably get in touch with someone (that being the entire point of SOTA). Of course I’d try more conventional means first in an emergency situation while hiking, but I certainly like having backup comms.

ShakataGaNai 4y ago

The emergency preparedness aspect of Ham is highly under valued/underappreciated... or at least it goes unnoticed. First, most modern handy talkies (what Ham's call their hand held radios) are also very solid "scanners". In so far as you can tune in to a lot of different frequencies and listen. Weather alerts, AM/FM Radio (like the kind you used to listen to in your car before spotify)... you name it. Super handy if you say, lose power and cell service. Speaking of which, remember that cell service is heavily dependent on a number of external factors. Like the antenna's still being upright (earthquakes, tornado, hurricanes are bad). There still being power. There still being connectivity (typically fiber optic)... and most importantly - NOT being overloaded. With a Ham radio you can listen or transmit, with no other dependencies. For more local issues, like hiking or camping. Even if you're out of cell range, your radio may very well work. A 5W handy talky can reach up to 30 miles, depending on your location (basically line of sight). If you can get to the top of a hill or mountain and get a clear view - you can get a signal out to someone. All you need to do is get on the 2-Meter Band Calling Frequency (146.520 Mhz) or the 70-Centimeter Band Calling Frequency (446.000 Mhz) and it's a safe bet someone out there is probably listening. Even better if you've looked up local repeaters in the area. Also, the radio's are stupid cheap now. BaoFeng makes "cheap and cheerful" (nicest way to describe them) handheld units: Like a 8watt unit for $70 USD. https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-BF-F8HP-Two-Way-136-174Mhz-400-520Mhz/dp/B00MAULSOK/ https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-BF-F8HP-Two-Way-136-174Mhz-40... -- They even sell 2 packs of slightly weaker radios for $50 total. Are they the best? No. Should you splurge and get something better? Totally. Like a 10W radio that support DMR (Digital Mode) for $180 https://www.amazon.com/Radioddity-GD-AT10G-Handheld-Digital-Rechargeable/dp/B0BLVFBSM6/ https://www.amazon.com/Radioddity-GD-AT10G-Handheld-Digital-... . But if you just want to get your ham and use it once-every year... get a $50 radio and toss it in your car or something similar. Just make sure to get alkaline batteries for them. Lithium rechargeable are nice but lose charge over time.

phickey 4y ago
I am a hiker and a ham and I disagree with this advice. I carried a ham radio while hiking for years and they were never a useful safety device. Here in the PNW, anywhere I was prominent enough to reach a repeater or another ham on the calling frequency, I also had plenty of cell signal. Whenever I was off the ridgelines and down in valleys, I wouldn’t be able to reach anyone with either method. Both cell phones and handheld ham radios are roughly line of sight, and when you are down in an uninhabited valley without cell coverage, it also quite doubtful there is another ham listening. I swapped carrying a ham radio for a Garmin inReach a few years ago and it has been far more useful. I pay an annual service charge, but in return I can let my partner know I’m safe a few times a day, and I can use it to arrange for rides, neither of which I could do via ham. I have never had a problem getting reception, and it’s a much smaller, lighter device, and it recharges via USB so I never worry about spare batteries. There are some ham specific activities for carrying a radio on the trail, like summits on the air, but if you are just trying to go hiking, get an inreach.

tlavoie 4y ago

Indeed, I have found mine handy for things like contacting the logging company whose sign indicated a closed hiking trail. I think I startled the gent by popping up on the radio, but was able to confirm that they were done for the day, and we could continue safely.