prepper radios?

[JJVP]

Do you need a ham license to use this?

I would imagine if the balloon goes up nobody will be checking licenses.

and I believe that the wonderful section 90 of the FCC code book will still tell you, something like: in the event of an emergency, you are authorized to use any frequency that is available to you..

Just please ... do not say "good buddy" or anything that was in any of the 1970s CB Radio trucker type movies

10-4.

[Dave2]

Do you need a ham license to use this?

I would imagine if the balloon goes up nobody will be checking licenses.

and I believe that the wonderful section 90 of the FCC code book will still tell you, something like: in the event of an emergency, you are authorized to use any frequency that is available to you..

Just please ... do not say "good buddy" or anything that was in any of the 1970s CB Radio trucker type movies

10-4.

Speaking of which, both of those phrases (especially when combined) can cause drunk jocks to leave you alone. Or it could backfire and they won't stop harassing you.

[pbwalker]

Just please ... do not say "good buddy" or anything that was in any of the 1970s CB Radio trucker type movies

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=mAPRrdgYU7o[/youtube]

[Ameer]

Do you need a ham license to use this?

I would imagine if the balloon goes up nobody will be checking licenses.

My thought exactly -- Armageddon cancels all licenses!

The problem is that, like firearms, waiting until the radio is needed to figure out how to use it is a mistake. Yes, I understand that you just push the button and talk but it is likely that those on the other end of the conversation will understand correct operation and you are banking on their willingness to listen to you, even in an emergency.

For example, there are lots of frequencies on the 2 meter band. Knowing which ones are frequented in your specific area will help you to reach someone faster. The rubber antennas that come with portable radios have limited capacity so if you want greater range, you have to do something different. There are lots of what Hams call "home brew" antennas that can significantly improve reception and reach but you have to have understood the need for one and put it together in advance. By the time that you need the 2 meter radio, chances are that your Internet connection is not available to you for information that could help you with the antenna.

I prefer a broader solution. I agree that licenses are not in issue in a TEOTWAWKI scenario but there are lesser emergencies where the radio would be a tremendous asset. I really see it as no different than getting a CHL. You could (assuming concealed is concealed) carry an unlicensed gun for years but we have gone to the extra lengths to do it legally. I'm in no way equating the punishment for unlicensed carry with that for unlicensed use of a Ham radio, I'm simply pointing out that you either believe in following the rule of law or you don't.

If he's not willing to pass a (no class required) test to get the license, there's 3 legal options.
1. Pay a fee for a license and use GMRS.
2. Pay no license fees and use FRS.
3. Pay no license fees and use CB.

If they want to break the law, they can use GMRS radios without a license or use marine VHF radios inland. The users of those bands are less likely to have the means and motives to track down scofflaws than local hams.

[chasfm11]

Do you need a ham license to use this?

I would imagine if the balloon goes up nobody will be checking licenses.

My thought exactly -- Armageddon cancels all licenses!

The problem is that, like firearms, waiting until the radio is needed to figure out how to use it is a mistake. Yes, I understand that you just push the button and talk but it is likely that those on the other end of the conversation will understand correct operation and you are banking on their willingness to listen to you, even in an emergency.

For example, there are lots of frequencies on the 2 meter band. Knowing which ones are frequented in your specific area will help you to reach someone faster. The rubber antennas that come with portable radios have limited capacity so if you want greater range, you have to do something different. There are lots of what Hams call "home brew" antennas that can significantly improve reception and reach but you have to have understood the need for one and put it together in advance. By the time that you need the 2 meter radio, chances are that your Internet connection is not available to you for information that could help you with the antenna.

I prefer a broader solution. I agree that licenses are not in issue in a TEOTWAWKI scenario but there are lesser emergencies where the radio would be a tremendous asset. I really see it as no different than getting a CHL. You could (assuming concealed is concealed) carry an unlicensed gun for years but we have gone to the extra lengths to do it legally. I'm in no way equating the punishment for unlicensed carry with that for unlicensed use of a Ham radio, I'm simply pointing out that you either believe in following the rule of law or you don't.

If he's not willing to pass a (no class required) test to get the license, there's 3 legal options.
1. Pay a fee for a license and use GMRS.
2. Pay no license fees and use FRS.
3. Pay no license fees and use CB.

If they want to break the law, they can use GMRS radios without a license or use marine VHF radios inland. The users of those bands are less likely to have the means and motives to track down scofflaws than local hams.

It is very likely within the near future that GMRS regulations will be changed and the license fee dropped. CBs were supposed to be licensed at one point and I paid to have one. Later that was dropped. I would hazard a guess that 99% of the GMRS users today don't have a license so it is only the government adjusting to reality. I cannot imagine a large enforcement campaign to target the unlicensed users, especially in an election year.

You are right about the no class situation for the Technician Ham license. I passed mine with only self-study and fell only a couple of questions short of passing the General Class test with no study at all. Several of the local Ham groups around here do offer a two day class to help those without any background pass the Technician test. For those of us with a basic understanding of electricity and electrical safety, there are only a few sections of the test that really need to be worked on.

From a prep standpoint, I would view both CB and FRS as sub-standard options. GMRS is only slightly better. We did some testing of those various options in my prep group and decided they weren't worth further work.