New Amateur Radio Sub-Form?

[williaty]

OK, so in the thread about stage rally coming back to Ohio, I talked about helping anyone who wanted to volunteer at the rally to get their FCC Technician Class Amateur Radio Service license. This got me to thinking a little more broadly about the relationship between amateur radio and rally.

Most rally communications are done using amateur radio operator volunteers. Much SAR communications are done over amateur radio. Having a radio is a large added safety net when driving your subie in the woods or mountains. This seems to me like there are a lot of people who are on DI who really also should be interested in holding an amateur radio license.

To this end, I think we should have an amateur radio sub forum on DI. It would be used for questions about how to become licensed, questions about testing material, questions about equipment, questions about proper install, questions about proper use, etc. In addition, it would be a way for rally or other event organizers to get in touch with a pool of amateur radio operators who have some knowledge of the event itself.

[teslamaster]

I am planning to get my license fairly soon and I think this would be a very valuable resource. It might look daunting to some people initially, but the Technician Class license looks pretty simple to get, and I think it could really benefit a lot of people in this community.

[I Like It Sideways]

I think this is a fantastic idea. Regardless of whether or not you help out at a rally, having your Ham license is a great idea. It will get people more in the know about how communications work at a rally. Having a Ham license is a must for anyone who wants to play a bigger part in helping out at a rally, and it's always good to get the updates during the rally as well.

[M_anstrom]

awesome idea!...
My favorite mod to the turtle is my Yaesu FT 817...

KC9FJE

[williaty]

I've got an Icom 208H in mine. Great radio.

NR8Q

[UP2MTNS]

I've got an Icom 280H in mine. Great radio.

NR8Q

what's the 280H? or did you mean 208H...which is what I have in mine :)


KI6LSW

[williaty]

Yes, that. Doh.

[UP2MTNS]

I still need to learn to really 'use' it....I studied the answers (easily found online) and passed the test, so I'm certified, but still very HAM noob.

Its fun to search the local channels and listen up, but I don't participate too much right now.

[williaty]

Yeah, see, this is the reason I'd like to have a sub-forum. There's a bunch of us already into it. A lot of people will do as you did and learn just enough to get past the test. Why not take it a step farther and share as a community how to do the things that are useful to us.

[UP2MTNS]

Yeah, see, this is the reason I'd like to have a sub-forum. There's a bunch of us already into it. A lot of people will do as you did and learn just enough to get past the test. Why not take it a step farther and share as a community how to do the things that are useful to us.

oh, fo-shizzle.

+1 for a subforum if that wasn't already understood from me :mrgreen:

[Drew84]

Sounds like a good Idea, we should have one of you who knows his stuff. Be the Mod for the forum. I have actually contemplated having T-shirts made up to sell at rally events that would say "I do it for the HAM".

[williaty]

Well, I know my stuff pretty well. Have to, since I hold the highest license class an amateur can hold. Plus what with the whole teaching licensing classes thing.

[UP2MTNS]

Well, I know my stuff pretty well. Have to, since I hold the highest license class an amateur can hold. Plus what with the whole teaching licensing classes thing.

well, you do write-ups so well...if I were you (hint, hint :) ) I'd just start a HAM 101 thread and stick it somewhere (Stage Rally Prep, maybe?) and let it grow from there and hopefully aaron will make a sub-forum and move whatever we've got.

[williaty]

Heck, if we just got a new videogame forum, I think this has at least as much much value to the community.

[409industries]

Im all for it. I saw that Alex Gelsomino posted about getting HAM certified over on SS and really got me interested in it too. Ill go ahead and create the subforum...

Heck, if we just got a new videogame forum, I think this has at least as much much value to the community.

I was PM'd about the video game forum... one of you guys could have given me a heads up on this thread... ;)

[dropdfocus]

My father is a HAM radio operator (N3PFF) and has License Study Questions on CD that he put together for the local guys to use which have helped them all achieve anywhere from the basic up to the higher licenses. I think he has them for sale on eBay as well (I'd have to double check on if he is still selling them or not).

I know that 2 years ago the STPR in Wellsboro had a MAJOR communications break down because a repeater station over heated and shut down. This was not a quick or easy fix & the HAM operators were the ones who helped with keeping things in order (as much as they could). Because of the chaos that came about from it, the STPR almost didn't happen in '08. The ability to get information back & forth out in the middle of the state woodlands is very important and everyone plays a large part in this each year. My hat goes off to all the members who have an active HAM radio license & do put it to good use! Bravo gentlemen (and ladies too)!!!

BTW, that is very interesting about Alex getting his HAM license. Very cool!
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*As a side note, that was me who PM'd Aaron about the online gaming section and had it added to the forum. I took the time to present my ideas & thoughts to Aaron so he knew what I was looking to accomplish.*

[williaty]

Oh, I didn't mean that the gaming section was a bad idea, sorry.

[409industries]

i know everyone is looking out for DI and trying to grow it to cover all aspects that members are interested in. Thanks for the great suggestions guys.


BTW, that is very interesting about Alex getting his HAM license. Very cool!


Yeah, heres the thread:

http://www.specialstage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35765

It goes pretty in depth regarding radio equipment, antennas, etc. Someone brought up a very good point about fixed antennas on the cars. They do you no good when you roll the car and break them off (this is a time when you probably really need to use the radio!) so magnetic ones that you can keep in the car and then stick on after an incident are a good solution.

[bfrancis827]

This is a great idea! I have always wanted to get my amateur license, especially after I saw Jon with his awhile back. I was an RTO (Radio Telephone Operator) when I was in the Army and really enjoyed learning about antenna theory and using the radios and would like to continue as a civilian. I recently found my old CB and it rekindled my desire to get licensed.

[GreenMtnMan]

Yes, another excellent idea. Shall we start a list of members that are licensed already?
:thumbsup: