4 ms·

> I get valuing independence and self-reliance, but why not get into, I don't know, amateur radio? without any sort of statistical evidence whatsoever, I feel

> I get valuing independence and self-reliance, but why not get into, I don't know, amateur radio? without any sort of statistical evidence whatsoever, I feel that the odds of any given Flipper Zero owner also owning at least one UV-5R is roughly 100%.

JohnFen 3y ago
Probably so. And I'm guessing a single-digit percentage of them have bothered to even put in the small amount of study required to get a radio technician's license so they can make good legal use of that radio.
- washadjeffmad 3y ago
  Licenses are just the government's way of getting all the sheep to tag themselves. -SvrnCtzn1776 Sent from my iPhone
  - JohnFen 3y ago
    But even if you're inclined to think that way, your ID is not broadcast automatically by the radio. So if you want to be unidentified, you can just not identify yourself. But, in my view, you're broadcasting on the radio -- which immediately makes you trackable, license or not. The local HAM community in my area even has their own radio locators and when someone is causing a problem, they do track them down, knock on their door, and ask them to stop it.
- adamrezich 3y ago
  guilty as charged on both counts! I'll get around to it someday. it really is something I'm interested in doing but I haven't found the time.
  - washadjeffmad 3y ago
    Just bringing this up because it's what stopped me as a teenager, but learning Morse code is no longer a requirement! Also, you'll probably want the book for street cred, but check out the free study guide: http://www.arrl.org/instruction-arrl-resources http://www.arrl.org/instruction-arrl-resources
  - JohnFen 3y ago
    It really isn't a big deal. I put it off for years because I imagined it would require a lot of study and a hard test, but I picked up a study book, spent a week with it, and the test was not a problem. I think the the license grades above technician are the ones where it gets harder.
    - adamrezich 3y ago
      oh for sure, I've looked over the materials before and it seems extremely straightforward... but it's something that I really want to get into sometime and not just pass for the sake of passing, y'know?
      - JohnFen 3y ago
        Oh, I get it completely. If you're anything like me, then just getting the license will suck you into it pretty deeply. You should be in a position where you won't mind the lost time.

JohnFen 3y ago

Probably so. And I'm guessing a single-digit percentage of them have bothered to even put in the small amount of study required to get a radio technician's license so they can make good legal use of that radio.

washadjeffmad 3y ago
Licenses are just the government's way of getting all the sheep to tag themselves. -SvrnCtzn1776 Sent from my iPhone
- JohnFen 3y ago
  But even if you're inclined to think that way, your ID is not broadcast automatically by the radio. So if you want to be unidentified, you can just not identify yourself. But, in my view, you're broadcasting on the radio -- which immediately makes you trackable, license or not. The local HAM community in my area even has their own radio locators and when someone is causing a problem, they do track them down, knock on their door, and ask them to stop it.
adamrezich 3y ago
guilty as charged on both counts! I'll get around to it someday. it really is something I'm interested in doing but I haven't found the time.
- washadjeffmad 3y ago
  Just bringing this up because it's what stopped me as a teenager, but learning Morse code is no longer a requirement! Also, you'll probably want the book for street cred, but check out the free study guide: http://www.arrl.org/instruction-arrl-resources http://www.arrl.org/instruction-arrl-resources
- JohnFen 3y ago
  It really isn't a big deal. I put it off for years because I imagined it would require a lot of study and a hard test, but I picked up a study book, spent a week with it, and the test was not a problem. I think the the license grades above technician are the ones where it gets harder.
  - adamrezich 3y ago
    oh for sure, I've looked over the materials before and it seems extremely straightforward... but it's something that I really want to get into sometime and not just pass for the sake of passing, y'know?
    - JohnFen 3y ago
      Oh, I get it completely. If you're anything like me, then just getting the license will suck you into it pretty deeply. You should be in a position where you won't mind the lost time.