HAM radio

[EddieM]

I'll confess I'm not particularly interested in getting into it on a regular basis but I was thinking that maybe having access to it might be a good idea as long as isn't too expensive. it would have to independent of an internet or mobile connection. I know you need a licence to broadcast.. but does anyone have any recommendations as to a decent set that would potentially allow worldwide communication?

tin foil hats are on order.

 

[banjodeano]

ten ten over

 

[EddieM]

ten ten over

I believe that's CB talk.

 

[bernardgreen]

It is Amateur Radio.........Ham is for sandwiches and comes from pigs

 

[EddieM]

It is Amateur Radio.........Ham is for sandwiches and comes from pigs

thanks.. err not very enlightening.

 

[Burnerman]

Best check out the RSGB, Eddie.....not as easy to get started as it sounds!
I must confess to being a pirate in my teen years, I think Peter.N is the real thing.
I managed to get my morse qualification at 12 wpm but never applied for the theory exam.
John

 

[EddieM]

I may have a dig around... I know it's an über geeky subject and as I say not actually fantastically interested.. but if I could get a cheap set up for the apocolypse then I would consider it... tin foil hats.

 

[Burnerman]

It has to be quite an elite hobby, really as everyone would be using it as a glorified CB with disastrous results.
In my teens, it was possible to use ex military kit which could be bought cheaply and there were also publications such as Practical Wireless which helped you construct gear of your own.
Now it's all state of the art gear, fully digitised and doesn't leave much to the imagination - but that's only my opinion.
I was interested in Short wave which used frequencies between 1.8 and 30 MHz and it was possible to hear people from all over the globe....I learned a great deal.
John

 

[EddieM]

yeah.. I've done a little research.. but I don't really want to be too drawn in...it is very geeky!

 

[mattylad]

Its easy to get started, google for your local club - most run courses and the foundation (starter license) is easy to do which allows you low power use on most frequency bands.
For around the world contacts you want a HF radio, for local contacts you need a VHF/UHF radio. There is one called a "shack in a box" by many as it covers all bands. (I cannot remember its name).

For walky talky comms there are things like the baofeng radios available on the bay for about £20, and they do work OK.

The radio for worldwide comms is not the problem, its the aerial - can you string up a few hundred feet of wire?

 

[EddieM]

The radio for worldwide comms is not the problem, its the aerial - can you string up a few hundred feet of wire?

oh

 

[EddieM]

eek! looks like you could fly across the world with that.Not sure if I'd work out how to switch that on!

 

[mattylad]

OH yes baby! nice gear - but at a cost.

And once you spend your money you find that around your house there is so much interference that your signal meter is at the top with noise from broadband etc.
And then you also find that a neighbour is a ham and you have problems both being on at the same time.
So probably best to contact your local club.

I packed my gear up due to the noise level, it will only come out to go mobile now.

 

[EddieM]

I may well contact my l9cal club. Just one thing though can I expect a surfeit of socks, sandals and CAMRA subscriptions?

 

[mattylad]

Well, you may turn up at a meeting and be the one there with the most teeth
It is generally an aged hobby at some clubs.

I think the Chelmsford club has some good activity evenings.

Or if your lucky enough it could be an active club where they discuss satellite comms, digital comms, mesh networks, technical stuff.
The basic course is very easy and gives you the ability to use most frequencies at low power, certainly enough to contact other countries or the space station as it whizzes past.
I'd suggest having a look at:
http://www.hamradiodeals.co.uk/forums/
http://www.transmission1.net (it is CB based but does have a very active ham user base too)
As they may have some local info or a source of a radio etc.