Short wave Communications

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What are you all doing about communications? I have a CB radio and a couple of walkie-talkies (my daughter and her husband live 4 blocks away) but I have given some thought to getting my Ham radio licence and purchasing a short wave transimitter and receiver. There is a lot to learn in a short time. Anyone else already resolve this problem?

-- Joseph Holbrook (caris@prodigy.net), October 30, 1999

Answers

If you're looking for reliable, independent communications that is measured in miles rather than "blocks", ham radio is the only real alternative. That doesn't mean just any ham radio though; for distance, you need HF (High Frequency a.k.a. short wave) ham gear. Currently, the most popular (and least expensive) ham radio gear is VHF and UHF stuff. For the most part, they function as part of a system of repeaters; that makes them vulnerable. Of course, they will continue to work without the repeaters, but the range then is little better than CB.

Stephen, KN4AM

-- Stephen McGehee (scm@adjutant.com), October 30, 1999.


Thanks! Could you recommend a vhs or uhf system that includes the police channels as well as marine and weather channels? Also, I assume that to use VHS or UHF would require a FCC license. Any imput you can give me will be appreciated. I am starting from "0" here.

-- Joseph (caris@prodigy.netq), October 30, 1999.

Marine VHS radios also have weather stations. They no longer require FCC licensing. You would be able to get some Coast Guard communications. Police and similar law enforcement bands are more of a problem. Our local police got a new system to replace their noncompliant one and it either scrambles or is on a protected frequency so that local criminals won't know the plans.

-- Evelyn (equus@barn.now), November 01, 1999.

I just got my ham license. I studied for about one week. Radio Sahck sells a book that has all the questions and answers you need to study to pass the Technician and novice test. When you pass the test, you will be qualified to use the most commonly used frequencies for local communications, plus with the right atmospheric conditions, serveral miles away. There is a web site called www.hamtest.com tha has all the info you need plus all the questions and answers. Hope this helps.

-- M. Davis (mddmcg@aol.com), November 01, 1999.

I also just received my ham license, also with the radio shack book. The no code technician license was relatively easy to obtain. I'll be up on 6 meters...at least until I can get my code working (now studying) and go for the general license.

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), November 02, 1999.


I know this will be a heretical thought. But if we are reduced to communicating with Ham radio, does anyone really think that anyone will care whether you have a license or not?

That said, you still need to know the information that the test asks about. That is if you want your radio system to actually function. But the only reason they still require the code is to weed out the riff-raff that are found on CB. It also keeps crowding to a minimum. Very effective system while there are people to enforce the rules.

Just a thought.

-- LM (latemarch@usa.net), November 03, 1999.


I gave up on outgoing communications when I discovered how weak the Family Radio Service radios are. I just bought a Pro-94 scanner on sale at Radio Shack ($199, regularly $299). I can get ham, CB, weather, aircraft, marine, and police calls, and even the occasional telephone conversation. I will have to be content to hear what's going on around me without being able to talk back.

-- Pearlie Sweetcake (storestuff@home.now), November 04, 1999.

Hello, everybody. We have nearly exhausted our small savings on y2k preparations for a three room apartment. I am not complaining - many many of us have no savings to exhaust. It occurred to me about a week ago that if power is lost for longer than a few days, AM/FM radio may become useless. We could not afford both a SW receiver and a police scanner (for more local news). (It also occurred to me that police transmissions might then be scrambled or somehow rendered inaccessible...) So we bought a Radio Shack Digital Tuning Portable Receiver - AM/SW/FM Stereo DX-375. And "The Wordwide Shortwave Listening Guide." This coming weekend, I'll assemble and test our convection keroheater, and also try out this shortwave radio.

I've never used a shortwave receiver. But I am methodical and careful with new things, owner's manuals. But can anyone answer two questions for me?

1) Will this receiver be at all useful in obtaining regional information in the event of a regional grid failure? We're on the MAIN grid in Illinois.

2) Does anyone know any specific frequencies I might want to check for utilities and other y2k-related information pertinent to the Illinois area...if the SHTF?

I must sound completely ignorant on this subject. I am. And I sincerely appreciate any comments. Thanks, best at y2k to all - Jim Y.

-- Jim Young (jyoung@famvid.com), November 07, 1999.


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