Ham Radio
Communications are essential for obtaining news, and sharing information. If the normal means of communication are down (cell phone networks, Internet, phone lines) amateur radio is an excellent way to have personal local and long distance communication. Using the proper equipment. both voice and data information can be exchanged with other amateur radio operators locally and around the world.
For local and short distances VHF/UHF radios can be used by family and friends to stay in contact with one another. When distances increase you can use HF frequencies to cover long distances, even the other side of the globe. HF communications are particularly difficult to willfully jam and almost impossible to prevent so the message will get through. In addition, unless the HF transmissions are long or on regularly timed intervals, the exact origin of HF transmissions is hard to pinpoint.
I recently went back after many years away from the hobby and tested for my amateur radio operator’s license in June of 2021. I only intended to take the Technician class license exam and I passed it the first time. They offered for me to take the General class test which I did, even though I had not studied for it. Fortunately my work experience and my hobbies in electronics and automation gave me enough background knowledge to make intelligent guesses on the test. I passed the General class test with the maximum number of wrong answers but a pass is a pass!
I obtained my General class ham license from the FCC and I have been assigned the callsign KO4RMQ (kilo-oscar-four-romeo-mike-quebec).
I am now building my ham shack, or radio installation and operation center and have equipment for VHF/UHF and HF frequency bands. In addition to amateur radio transmitting and receiving equipment, I am obtaining shortware, military, and business radio receiving equipment including SDR (software defined radio) which will allow me to listen in on just about anything that is not encrypted.
Once it is installed and running I will have digital capability and antennas capable of sending transmissions around the globe. Combined with the back power system, there should be not time that I cannot communicate with others and receive news and critical information