Comment

Comment by JED on October 2, 2009 at 5:51pm

Minuteman, I believe 11 meter is the CB spectrum, which can be useful with enough power behind it and the right antenna. Being limited to 5 watts hinders CB's utility, but use of a powerful linear amp and appropriate antenna would let you reach out to long distances. And when the SHTF it won't matter that exceeding the allowable power level is verboten. On the other hand, using high power levels under normal circumstances, in order to improve your knowledge and skills, might not be a good idea. You might consider studying for the Technician Class ham license test. Cost is $15 to take the test, no fee when your license is granted, and it's good for 10 years. My first radios were two 2-meter mobile rigs that I traded an old Makarov pistol for. One went in my truck, the other is my current base station, using a 12VDC automotive power pack to run it and a dipole antenna I built from an old set of television rabbit ears.

Comment by Minuteman on September 30, 2009 at 9:38am

Thanks for the invite! I still have some old base equipment (11 meter) but never took the plunge into a licensed setup. There is good reason to keep this most valuable art alive. I'm gonna look into it further as my interest is newly peaked because of our wired and cellular dependance. This is a point that I all but forgot about....what if.....

Comment by CJ Freezen on September 23, 2009 at 12:14pm

i'm on 2m, 6m, 10m, 70cm

Comment by JED on September 23, 2009 at 11:33am

Regarding the possibility of the internet shutting down. If that were to happen it would be deliberate and would involve both the power and communications grids being taken down. Without power and land lines the internet will be virtually extinct with the exception of those who have their own power sources and can access the net by dish antenna.

Comment by JED on September 23, 2009 at 11:30am

Regarding the difficulty of passing the Technician Class ham license exam... The exam is 35 questions and is easy to study for using online sources such as www.qrz.com where you can take a practice test as many times as you like as a study method. My wife studied for 3 wks, took the test 3 wks ago and received her call sign in less than 10 days. Morse code is no longer required for Technician or General class licenses. Anyone interested in more info on how to study for, and get their first ham license (Technician class) should send a private message.

Comment by WTRH-AM-AE on September 22, 2009 at 9:45pm

If the internet shuts down. BBS will be available again and dial up services. I don't know if the FCC will make the internet shut down. The FCC won't be taking anymore ham license applications and there will not enough time to receive your new ham ticket. The test is hard to do and requires electronics, math, and regulatory knowledge. If it was easy I would have it already. I don't any no one offline and online to help me study for it. I had some friends that were hams that disowned me back in 1998. I used to go to the Virginia Beach Hamfest, but now the hamfest downsized from the Virginia Beach Prvillion to the Virginia Weslylan College a college that used to have a AM station called WVAW on 640 kHz. The station should have been on the air, but they lost funding. We have frequency station openings here that WVAB on 1550 kHz and WBVA 1450 kHz they need a station on the air to get the truth out such as Alex Jones. So I am just a SWL and part15er for AM 540 kHz. And yes part15ers homebrew their transmitters just like hams do.

Comment by WTRH-AM-AE on September 22, 2009 at 9:28pm

Thanks for letting me join. If I had a ham license I would be using a Lowfer's transmitter to create a experimental beacon. I have been a Shortwave listener since 1987 and part 15 AM and FM broadcaster since 1992. I run 2 different radio stations, but since the batteries are costly I can only run one stationj at a time. I have a an old clip from my radio monitoring files during 9/11/019-11-2001 - Ham Radio Transmission - The Economy.WAV

Comment by FREEDOM FIGHTERS FOR AMERICA on September 22, 2009 at 1:31pm

THIS IS A GREAT IDEA, AND IM LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS
PLAN. I HAVE MENTIONED IT MYSELF. BUT DONT HAVE HAM RADIO EXPERIENCE.

Comment by JED on September 21, 2009 at 11:20pm

FYI, continuing study for General Class test and picked up a KENWOOD TS-430S HF rig. I need a power supply and desk mic and will be looking for a HF antenna too.

Comment by JED on September 14, 2009 at 12:32pm

I am a regular net participant on 145.450 repeater on the 2 meter band. I am studying for the general class test to open up more bands, as my tech class license gives only a small portion of the 10 meter band and nothing in the higher frequencies. I went to hamfest this weekend, and after a 3 1/2 hour drive spent the entire day in the rain, and the fest was in a state park, under tents. Didn't find any bargains on HF gear but did pick up an SWR/Power meter, new 2 meter mobile, and new 2 meter HT. Next hamfest is much closer and I should be able to get there early enough to find a good HF rig. Question for you... Do you have an opinion about the best band to use for a nationwide info net?

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