Amateur radio

[Bill Ryan]

We're in close touch with Henry Deacon about Amateur Radio and intend to post much more about this on Avalon in due course. There's already an introductory section about Amateur Radio here.

We're wondering if any other visitors are radio 'hams'. Many people (including us) want to learn. Some may be a little daunted.

What's needed is NOT technical expertise, but patience and an ability to teach and communicate with people who are starting from zero and wno may not be technically minded.

What might be very useful is a whole section of this forum devoted to an Amateur Radio Q+A. Henry Deacon would contribute, but is not in a position to lead or organize this.

Anyone out there?

[Jma]

Why radio?
We are all telepathically linked, the Aboriginals in Australia use it naturally but we have lost the ability surrounded by all these artificial technologies.
Would you believe I had a dream last night in which, everything was set up as one of your typical project camelot interviews featuring Dan Burisch and David Wilcock and no one wanted to talk?

[Olam]

Yes Ham radios will be very useful, especially the old tube ones, they will not be affected by any electromagnetic pulses that we might suffer.
I found a couple on ebay but its difficult to guarantee that they work.
If anyone could point to a good source for working old tube ham tranceivers, that would be awsome.
Also, it would be good to establish some kind of frequency template where we could establish different set "channels" for emergencies and other ones for "situation updates" and general info ect.
Basically make it so that everyone having a radio will easily know what "Channel" to use for a specific purpose.....getting organised in that way will be very important to support the masses and avoid confusion.

JMA....yes I agree, that is the best way to communicate, have people use their souls and spirit guides do the messaging!....the thing is, not every community will have these gifted people around. We need some kind of backup, being very organised and ready with options will be crucial when the serious stuff happends.

We need to be flexible like a cork in a stormy sea......bobble around the waves and still be floating when it calms down.

[JoMo]

The links to the introduction to ham radio from the resources page are no longer available? Strange...

Im a ham...the tests are not that big a deal...an hour a day of study for a week or so and you can pass it. There are plenty of study resources on the net. they give you all the answers...you simple memorize the correct ones.

[DieOnMyFeet]

Why worry about getting a licence, when the **** hits the fan all is fair in Love and WAR... F**K the Licence.

You're right, D.o.M.F. - I can't argue with that a bit, but -

It seems that we're already having an affect on possible futures & one possibility is that the **** may not hit the fan at all. I know that's a slim chance, but I try to consider all possibilities.
Another consideration is keeping yourself off "their" radar. Some have expressed that can be done by not getting a license, yet knowing how to operate a radio. That's certainly one way to do it, but in that scenario, you run the risk of calling added attention to yourself if you should operate that radio without "authorization" before the chaos breaks out. At least if I'm licensed, I can get hands-on experience without risking "the authorities" trying to track me down (for that, anyway).

It's just one way of going about it ... certainly not the only only way, and maybe even not the best way, but that's how I intend to do it. Heck - if some of the folks here are right, we won't need radio at all, we will eventually just communicate telepathically ... but ya know - I'm studying for a licensing exam in the meantime, anyway.

[skyking]

You do not need a license to purchase ANY radio equipment - not sure who 'they' are that you are talking to. Try http://www.aesham.com for online ordering and look at the Yaesu FT-857D as it's a nice compact lightweight unit if you are going to be moving around a lot. Also look at the Buddipole as a good portable antenna system. These two pieces will cost you $1100USD but are worth the investment. Different equipment is more appropriate if you are setting up a more permanent 'base' station.

[Pharaoh9969]

Skyking,

Appreciate the knowledge, however AES in Orlando are the people who explained to me that I had to go through this process. As I investigate more, everyone is always asking do I have a license? Even after I explained to them that I just want to listen in. Maybe I will try the website you suggested and see if I can order online and cut out the BS. One last ?, why do you recommend this piticular equipment? Just curious as I was looking to buy equip that had the most range as far as bandwidth and also portability is key. Your help is greatly appreciated.


Man Love!

For those that know their equipment ... how does this setup look?

Ebay Link

I have put together a fully portable radio system that you can take anywhere to operate. The systems includes the following:

* Yaesu FT-857D.
* LDG Z-11 Pro automatic antenna tuner.
* Buddistick deluxe vertical antenna system with optional tripod.
* 25' RG8X coax.
* 2 - Hobbico 12V 7Ah batteries with Voltwatch LED power monitors.
* FT-857D mini manual.
* Wenger Swiss Gear Backpack.

All items fit into the packpack for easy transport to any remote location.

Not that I can afford it right now ($875), but it appears to be a good reference point.

How much operating time and output power would those two batteries afford with that setup?

[Waterman]

That sounds like an excellent setup!

The only thing I would add is a rollup solar panel to recharge the
batteries.

Other than that this is very good.

The life of the batteries depends on how much it is used for
transmitting that is when watts used goes up.

Either way that is why I recommend the flexible rollup solar panel,
which I believe will add about another $125 to that price.

[Pharaoh9969]

Sounds like a good setup for the long haul, RZ & Waterman. Appreciate the input. Will certainly make the selection when I order my setup. Will be meeting with a 74 yr. old vet on Amatuer radio. Will have him review the setup and see what he has to say. Gentlemen, again a million thanks. I can certainly afford that amount. Sounds alot lower then I thought I would be spending.

Way to start this forum Bill. I thought I was the only one going through this mess and did not know who to trust.

Love Yall!!!

Originally Posted by Pharaoh9969

Sounds alot lower then I thought I would be spending.

If you're going by the $875 figure I posted earlier - I have to apologize ... I later went back to see that that particular number was just a starting bid & the seller's reserve had not been met. I should've edited my post to reflect that, but didn't think it had much bearing on the conversation at that point.

Skyking's $1100 figure is probably more realistic.

[Powerinourhandsl]

My old 707,

these go on ebay for 100 to 300 dollars

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/ft707.html

and i sold this radio for 15 meters 2 weeks ago..

http://cgi.ebay.es/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...m=180289993500

[Pharaoh9969]

Appreciate the correction, RZ. I have the $, what I need is the equipment and someoen who can show me the ropes. Hopefully someone in Florida near the Tampa area can help me with this.


Man Love!

As far as learning the basics (which I'm trying to do, now) ... here's a post I made in another thread on amateur radio:

... here are a couple of useful links to get you started:


National (USA) Association for Amateur Radio (AARL)


Now You're Talking! All You Need to Get Your First Amateur Radio License, Fifth Edition (Amazon.com)


Apologies for the U.S. slant on these links - but if we're talking basics, the country of origin shouldn't much matter!

[oldpaganfreak]

an equilavent publication aimed at canadian regulations, is RAC Study Guide for the Basic Exam, available through the Radio Amateurs of Canada website.

[Gardavkra]

Sorry Topper. I don't know where you got your information from but, ham radio in the U.S. is not illigal, if you have a licence. I know because, I'm a licensed ham. I'm also an examiner for licensing.

I've been reading through some of these posts and have noticed that there is some bad and misleading information. I'm wondering how many people here actually hold a valid license? Some say they have been licensed for years but, a license is only good for ten years and then it has to be renewed. That is free, by the way. There is a grace period but, if you don't renew within that period you have to start all over again.

Originally Posted by Gardavkra

I've been reading through some of these posts and have noticed that there is some bad and misleading information.

Yes G. - unfortunately, there is more than a little disinformation here (the site in general, not just this thread). It is to be expected, due to the potential of the target audience, should they be empowered by actual truth.

Please contribute a little when you can, covering the basics at first - for the benefit of those just getting started. If you feel good about it, as things progress, maybe your contributions can become more advanced.

I'll be going in mid-December to take my technician class licensing test & have to admit I'm finding the study a challenge. Are there any areas that you'd suggest I pay particular attention to?

[Gardavkra]

Hi RZ,
Is there a particular area that you find challenging? I first received my novice license 25 years ago and I can remember how I felt before taking the test. It was much harder then. Of coarse the old dudes before me tell me that if was even harder for them. We had five license classes or levels then compared to the three that we have now. We also had to learn CW (Morse code) and be able to copy it with increasing speed as we moved up through the license classes. Dang, I sound like an old fart! I'm mentioning this mainly for the benefit of others that may read this. Every country has slightly different requirements and licenses, by the way. Just about eveything can be found on the internet and I also want to mention that the license is issued by the FCC. The ARRL (Amatuer Radio Relay League is a good place to start if one is interested here in the US. It has already been mentioned by someone else. ARRL.org. I know you know this RZ, I'm just stated it for others.

Good luck on your test. I would just say to study the material everyday and you will do fine. I'm not a technical person myself although I work in a technical world. If I can do it, you won't any problem either.

[Waterman]

The license cost $6 in the states.

There is a 2 year grace period if after it expires you have the option to renew.

In the meantime remember that it isn't illegal to use amatuer radio to render help for someone who's property or life is in peril. There still, so far, exists a few laws of common sense. If you want a hobby get licensed, if you want communications for emergencies don't let a license stop that from happening.

We must remember where the federal government is moving. And it is to centralize control. So anything federal is going to get more and more controlled, but that does not make it right, moral, or constitutional.

In the meantime navigate the landmines and stay in one piece.

73s

[Kate]

Originally Posted by Bill Ryan

We're in close touch with Henry Deacon about Amateur Radio and intend to post much more about this on Avalon in due course. There's already an introductory section about Amateur Radio here.

We're wondering if any other visitors are radio 'hams'. Many people (including us) want to learn. Some may be a little daunted.

What's needed is NOT technical expertise, but patience and an ability to teach and communicate with people who are starting from zero and wno may not be technically minded.

What might be very useful is a whole section of this forum devoted to an Amateur Radio Q+A. Henry Deacon would contribute, but is not in a position to lead or organize this.

Anyone out there?

I will go set up a thread now ..this is vitaly important information...

[Mizar]

Marine VHS is a good start, lots of cheap transceivers available, but you must have a license, and never use it on dry land.
Good 'ole CB's are good for short distance, and the FRS handhelds are good for short range.
Ham has gone out of style, those who would have done Ham, have now gone to Computers.
I had a Ham ticket, in the past and now may renew.
I have my Marine VHS ticket, that and the boat are our lifelines, everything is on the boat, stored food, Solar and Wind power, fishing equipment, watermaker, etc. and I have renewed my Celestial Navigation ticket, there will be no GPS in a crisis.
Plan B, everybody get to the boat, 6 hour window to get on board, then lights out and out into the Pacific until things calm down
M

Originally Posted by Henry Deacon

... How about a large ocean-going sailing vessel for Camelot? ...

This is all I can offer, but she's available for the cause !!


(Note: ..."needs work")

[Kate]

hiya henry,
wondering if u can either set up a new thread to do with Ham radio....or add to my thread please? doesnt seem to be many people looking in at the moment..i think this is vital info...
all the best to you! ( if u are the 'source' of kerry and bill..many thanks for your insights and sharing!)
namaste