Here's the thing. I really don't care for the engineering and design of the radios and antennas (although I do like circuit designing in general). And therefore, the things people talk about over the radio (90+% about radios) don't interest me much either. Radio technology is neat, but you have to admit, cell phones and the internet have put a huge damper on this hobby.
Despite that, though, it has amazing uses. Imagine if a tornado touches down or a hurricane makes landfall, and it knocks out power and cell towers in your area. How will you coordinate with relief efforts or warn people of danger or communicate with anyone outside of earshot? Radios. A charged battery or a working vehicle plus a radio will overcome many obstacles. That's why I got into the hobby. I can make a difference when a big storm hits by spotting, or helping coordinate relief efforts, or any number of things. It's a niche role, but it's a very important and key niche role that fewer shoes are filling. Even the simple act of storm spotting plays a key role for the National Weather Service. They rely heavily on spotter reporting to get important information on storms, including when tornadoes actually touch down. Their equipment is not able to pick up that event. They can only detect tornadoes by picking up their debris field after much damage has been done, and even then, it could be minutes after that if it's even picked up at all.
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Return to “Where to begin with a HAM radio?”
- Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:19 am
- Forum: Off-Topic
- Topic: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
- Replies: 203
- Views: 80527
- Sun Apr 22, 2018 11:32 am
- Forum: Off-Topic
- Topic: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
- Replies: 203
- Views: 80527
Re: Where to begin with a HAM radio?
Congrats!locke_n_load wrote:VE guy who was helping with Exams said it took around 10 days. Hope he's wrong and you're right!Paladin wrote:Congrats!!!locke_n_load wrote:Passed my tech exam today.
It's typically only a few days wait.
I'd still expect 10 days. I took my exam on 2/25 this year, and the FCC issued the call sign on 3/7. The FCC usually runs on an oddball schedule, where they will sit on application for a set amount of time, then process them in batches only a handful of times per week. I suggest you get an FRN number from the FCC so you can track status, print your license when available, etc.
What equipment are you planning on getting?