ham radio for dummies

[The Old Jaybird]

I looked into this 60 years ago, had a BIL who was very active, but you had to pass Morse Code test to get a novice license. dah di dah di dah dah di dah, anybody know this?

 

[Electra_glide_ryder]

No Morse code requirement anymore. It is still used on designated frequencies but you don’t have to know it to get licensed.

 

[FalconKik]

My grandpa had these ham radio. Let me tell you, it was not for dummies.

^^ They're pretty fun once you get the hang of it, if I remember correctly I'm pretty sure you need a license for it too, but they're fairly cheap and easy to obtain. I use a Tenway

 

[41mag]

I would like to get into a basic set up myself.
Arent HAM radios the ones you can talk long distance? Around the world? Or am i yhinking of something else?

 

[41mag]

I just think it would be a good addition to the supplies for when SHTF

 

[Gimli2]

Key words are “was into” . I got my novice license (KC4VTQ) back when you were required to learn Morse code to get it, and I hated spelling it out. Had a Yaesu FT101E that I spent a bit of time puttering around in the 10 meter band, mostly.

I’ve thought about getting back into it, but 99% of the reason would be local 2 meter band stuff.

 

[FalconKik]

I would like to get into a basic set up myself.
Arent HAM radios the ones you can talk long distance? Around the world? Or am i yhinking of something else?

Mainly for long distances of up to like 30-50 miles(also depends on terrain) I think, around the world you might be thinking of a satellite ahaha

 

[41mag]

Mainly for long distances of up to like 30-50 miles(also depends on terrain) I think, around the world you might be thinking of a satellite ahaha

Maybe it is shortwave ? Its not satellite.....back in the 80’s one of the neighbors used to talk to folks in Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, etc.,
It was a cool set up. His mast was in the top if a huge pine tree and it was a good 40-50 feet above that. With guy wires and all to hold it up.
I will look it up and see which system he had that i am thinking of

 

[41mag]

Alrighty .....here is link to Wikipedia on amateur radio. Great info !!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio

 

[Retired Army]

Mainly for long distances of up to like 30-50 miles(also depends on terrain) I think, around the world you might be thinking of a satellite ahaha

Don’t know the requirements, but you can absolutely talk thousands of miles with the right set-up and antenna. In the .5-30 MHz band. Easy using Morse code.