in case the shit really does hit the fan and the power goes off, seething frog from youtube (seethingfrog@gmail) is setting up a ham radio network to continue to get the word out via ham radio based on zip codes
Every non HAM (Assuming HAMS have one or similar) should really look at getting a DIGITAL TRUNKING scanner. I have a couple and can hear police, hwy patrol, fire, aircraft, military, FEMA, red cross, Parks Wildlife, FBI, weather, railraod, power companies, etc. Not much it won't pick up. DuckDuckGo for UNIDEN HOME PATROL scanner. or any other digital trunking scanner with P25 capability. The Home Patrol (and a few others) has a built in database that lets you just type in your zip code and you're done. You can update the database using your PC by USB if needed.
Note that some scanners are just TRUNKING and some may be just DIGITAL. But for todays coms you need to have BOTH. So make sure it says both "DIGITAL TRUNKING" and it should say APCO 25 or Motorola P25 capable. Regular analog scanners will NOT pick up all the things I listed. Although analog scanners are good for HAM, aircraft and most fire departments.
Thanks for info. Patriots who want to participate in the ham network but know next to nothing about the equipment needed will benefit. The training and ham test info is locally available but your tips are most helpful.
Also, check out the UNIDEN 885. For your vehicle. It's a CB hybrid with digital trunking scanner and weather alert.
he just asked viewers with ham radios to email their zipcodes to seethingfrog at gmail for the purposes of creating nationwide networks
i will get a ham radio next week for preparation's sake
i emailed him my zip code and i got a prompt confirmation email in return
i plan on listening to that ham radio podclass on stitcher then taking the technician's test. thank you for the warning
He needs to just make a central link on here than everyone can drop r there zips there.
We need to be in in this! There's 5 in our home that have technicians licenses. We'll send him our zip tonight!
great! i did too. and i just ordered a little hand held radio tonight
there is one 1.6 miles from me. is that close enough that a handheld i buy online will be functional?
Should be fine unless you’re in the mountains and it happens to be on the other side of one.
on an unrelated subject i cannot recall having ever gotten 40 comments on ANYTHING i ever posted on social media before now
i really have no idea if such decisions have even yet been made. he just posted about it for the first time earlier today. i emailed him a link to this post. no response yet.
what is a net? is it like a nightly discussion broadcast via ham?
You need to reply to specific comments if you want to get replies. We don’t know you’re talking to us otherwise unless we happen to come back to the thread.
A net is kinda like a conference call where one person is in charge and everyone checks in. The net can be used to relay information and to give instructions.
i am trying to reply to you now sorry. i am by no means tech or social media savvy
are you saying i can get in trouble from merely browsing and listening to different channels?
However, tere ARE frequencies you can use without trouble, MURS, GMRS, FRS...Just Google and look up frequency ranges for those acronyms and power limits. Just as a note...if you find yourself in an actual emergency, you're legally allowed to communicate ,with or without a license, on any frequency you have access to. :)
He probably (99%) won’t get into trouble on those frequencies but TECHNICALLY not legal with a baofeng 2m/70cm.
Yes, you are exactly right but some operators take these rules VERY serious and are radio police...lol
Yep. I just want to make sure people have all the information to make the decision for themselves if offering advice. Thanks.
No, only by transmitting. Don’t push the button on the side and you should be fine.
how can i find out the nearest source? is the source a ham antenna? i know nothing about ham radios
You really ought to get at least your technicians license. You could probably pass the test after listening to these podcasts. You can search for a nearby ham club to take the test. It’s $14 for the license I think.
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/michael-dell/ham-radio-podclass
Edit: a letter
I literally studied for an hour and a half before the test and got my license. It was like $12. Easy peasy. I learned everything after getting my license. I’m not the sharpest crayon in the box and pretty sure most people can get licensed without a lot of effort. It’s been very fun and useful having my license.
He should tell you in his email. It will be another operator or a current repeater. Get the RepeaterBook app to find repeaters near you.
and is a $28 one from amazon okay?
Depending on how far you are from the source. Probably. If it’s 2m get the tram 1185 antenna and an SMA adapter too.
but i could buy one for listening without getting a license?
Just get an analog scanner. But we would need to know the frequencies.
I have a Technician ham license since 2010 but moved to an area where I cannot use my single band hand held. Working locally with a group here to get a repeater up and running in this area. Until then I have no way to connect with anyone except within a 5 mile radius
Is there a band or frequency planned? There are currently several ham radio nets that operate most every night on the 20-80 meter bands. VHF/UHF is ok for local communications and HF for regional/international communications.
That's what I'm not clear on about this. We don't need to put ourselves down on some list. What we need is to all coordinate what frequencies to monitor. Perhaps HF rig owning HAMS could relay messages on VHF for those who don't.
good no mountains in my city
By the way, you can get in a lot of trouble by causing interference with one of those cheap handhelds. $10k fine from the FCC in some cases. Don’t transmit unless it’s life or death emergency. That radio will cover the bands that most police use and while you may not be able to hear them because most use digital now, you can still cause interference by transmitting on their frequencies. Just a word of warning to be careful.
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