Anybody running a ham rig?

[Cloaked]

Picked up up my GMRS license this morning. I know I cant transmit on the certain frequencies yet, but I do want to stay on the right side of the tracks. I will have my call sign in a couple days.

I have been practice testing using "Ham Radio Prep" app for the next level of licensing. I just use the free features.

So much different now. In my day I had to pass a code test first then theory test to get a Novice license. Then more code and more theory for Tech, General, Advanced and finally Extra.

I taught novice code classes for a while. At the end we would give the class the test and if they passed we would have a little party for them.

 

[CTS]

So much different now. In my day I had to pass a code test first then theory test to get a Novice license. Then more code and more theory for Tech, General, Advanced and finally Extra.

I taught novice code classes for a while. At the end we would give the class the test and if they passed we would have a little party for them.

The GMRS just requires registration, agreements, and payment of $35. I plan on getting the technician, general, and Extra,.. each a harder level test.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Something I am studying so I can test out all 3 tests for my license.

Also picked up a cheap ham 7 band 10 watt walkie talkie pair on Amazon.
(I know I will start cheap and grow into it if needed)

Anybody else here into this?

I've always wanted to.

I've been a storm spotter for 20+ years and ham radio is heavily integrated into that. I've also been involved with local emergency management operations and we relied on hams for emergency operations and communications.

It's planned.

I used to be an assistant fire chief and always used Motorola radios. I'm sure probably expensive but do they offer good ham radios? I'd want something handheld.

 

[CTS]

I've always wanted to.

I've been a storm spotter for 20+ years and ham radio is heavily integrated into that. I've also been involved with local emergency management operations and we relied on hams for emergency operations and communications.

It's planned.

I used to be an assistant fire chief and always used Motorola radios. I'm sure probably expensive but do they offer good ham radios? I'd want something handheld.

Well handhelds have a lot of limitations, but are dirt cheap. If you have some technical backgrounds then you are likely to pick up what is needed to know fairly easily what is in the tests.

 

[Ravenfreak]

I didn't know you needed a license to operate a ham radio? I'm guessing it's for FCC regulations right? I never really was interested in the hobby, I bet it was more fun back in the day when the internet didn't exist to talk via ham radio.

 

[CTS]

Got my GMRS call sign today and the radio's came in today. Gonna do some setup on it and watch a few video's for familiarization.

 

[frm]

I'm wondering if you "need" a license (I would look into it for Japan) to own a radio but never use it. Probably good to have, but I don't want to go through the hassle of licensing, etc., to use it. However, I'd like to at least test an emergency channel (if possible) without the "Feds" coming down on me, to see if anyone can respond to a test emergency to be aware that the radio works at the very least.

I wouldn't operate it in any other conditions (unless some bands you don't need a license).

 

[CTS]

I'm wondering if you "need" a license (I would look into it for Japan) to own a radio but never use it.

You do NOT need a license to buy or listen in on in the US.
You do need an FCC license to key the mic and talk in the US.
And some of these radios you will need multiple test sessions to be approved for all bands.
And if you don't plan on getting a license, get a trigger guard lol.

I bet these can be bought in Japan. Different licensing laws than the US I am sure.

Right now I only have the CMRS license. Working on my Technician level license now.

 

[frm]

And if you don't plan on getting a license, get a trigger guard lol.

That's what I was thinking. There has to be some sort of manual trigger to stop you from broadcasting on bands you shouldn't be on, but also there for when you do get a license to do so, to open it up.

I'd mainly want it to listen and then, if SHTF, nobody cares about a license. I just want to test the emergency channels to see if they can receive (and respond) without getting a fine.

So, I'll look into that, for Japan.

 

[Cloaked]

That's what I was thinking. There has to be some sort of manual trigger to stop you from broadcasting on bands you shouldn't be on, but also there for when you do get a license to do so, to open it up.

I'd mainly want it to listen and then, if SHTF, nobody cares about a license. I just want to test the emergency channels to see if they can receive (and respond) without getting a fine.

So, I'll look into that, for Japan.

The only band you can legally broadcast on without a license is 11 meters which is CD radio. That used to need a license 100. My callsign was WNF1068. It was deregulated in 1984 or so. I think there are a couple UHF frequencies you can broadcast on, but, those are short range communication.

Each country has different ways to license. I think Japan is one of the hardest.