Ham radio operators are saving Puerto Rico (2017)
edition.cnn.com
Ham radio operators are saving Puerto Rico (2017)
1–10 of 92 posts
Re: Ham radio operators are saving Puerto Rico (2017)
#2Story is from September 27, 2017.
Great to see American Radio Relay League members doing this important work for the citizens of Puerto Rico in their time of need.
Re: Ham radio operators are saving Puerto Rico (2017)
#3The Finnish media reported last month how the government wants to collaborate with the radio hobbyists who have a network that is more resilient than the official networks. Any longer issue in the mains network causes an emergency and the official radio networks won't stay up long either in the countryside.
Re: Ham radio operators are saving Puerto Rico (2017)
#4The importance of ham radio is that it's infrastructure-less. People are completely used to the Internet and mobile telephones working without thinking about the infrastructure and its maintenance.
With my radios I can talk to people all over the place point to point without any infrastructure at all.
Re: Ham radio operators are saving Puerto Rico (2017)
#5The importance of ham radio is that it's infrastructure-less. People are completely used to the Internet and mobile telephones working without thinking about the infrastructure and its maintenance. With my radios I can talk to people all over the place point to point without any infrastructure at all.
After an article about the judge who did the case for Oracle vs Google and how he was a ham I got more and more interested in ham radios. The only downside is the cost of some of the equipment, but if you can reach a main city there's usually repeaters up on those buildings from what I've been told. There's so much to learn I feel and I don't know where to start truly, I've just watched a couple of videos and read a few articles. I know I need to get my license first for sure.
Re: Ham radio operators are saving Puerto Rico (2017)
#6As was mentioned by tony-allan, this article is from last September.
I'm living in Puerto Rico and situation is now stabilized regarding communications.
I want to take this time to thank everybody that has sent help this way, and those that have enabled for help to reach this.
Everybody from ham radio operators, to the electrical service brigades from dozens of States, to emergency personnel, everybody.
Thanks.
PS: I should start finally working on my ham radio license!
Re: Ham radio operators are saving Puerto Rico (2017)
#7The importance of ham radio is that it's infrastructure-less. People are completely used to the Internet and mobile telephones working without thinking about the infrastructure and its maintenance. With my radios I can talk to people all over the place point to point without any infrastructure at all.
After an article about the judge who did the case for Oracle vs Google and how he was a ham I got more and more interested in ham radios. The only downside is the cost of some of the equipment, but if you can reach a main city there's usually repeaters up on those buildings from what I've been told. There's so much to learn I feel and I don't know where to start truly, I've just watched a couple of videos and read a…
Honestly, the best route in is to find a local club.
For the US: http://www.arrl.org/find-a-club
For the UK: http://rsgb.org/main/get-started-in-amateur-radio/first-step...
Most nations have a national society that can help signpost you in the same way.
Also, come join /r/amateurradio, there's a pretty friendly, if small, community there, with a weekly "ask anything" thread and an alright "getting started" wiki.
Re: Ham radio operators are saving Puerto Rico (2017)
#8The importance of ham radio is that it's infrastructure-less. People are completely used to the Internet and mobile telephones working without thinking about the infrastructure and its maintenance. With my radios I can talk to people all over the place point to point without any infrastructure at all.
After an article about the judge who did the case for Oracle vs Google and how he was a ham I got more and more interested in ham radios. The only downside is the cost of some of the equipment, but if you can reach a main city there's usually repeaters up on those buildings from what I've been told. There's so much to learn I feel and I don't know where to start truly, I've just watched a couple of videos and read a…
Do the basic license (whatever that is in your country) and then you can talk to people. Yes, the equipment can be initially expensive, but you don't need to spend a fortune on the latest crazy HF radio.
Re: Ham radio operators are saving Puerto Rico (2017)
#9As was mentioned by tony-allan, this article is from last September. I'm living in Puerto Rico and situation is now stabilized regarding communications. I want to take this time to thank everybody that has sent help this way, and those that have enabled for help to reach this. Everybody from ham radio operators, to the electrical service brigades from dozens of States, to emergency personnel, everybody. Thanks. PS: I…
I am a German (in Germany) having the Extra Class ham license and soon becoming a volunteer examiner for the ARRL. I can tell you: at least getting the Technician License is a piece of cake. If you just want to have your license, one day of clicking through exams at hamexam.org should be enough preparation.
Re: Ham radio operators are saving Puerto Rico (2017)
#10The importance of ham radio is that it's infrastructure-less. People are completely used to the Internet and mobile telephones working without thinking about the infrastructure and its maintenance. With my radios I can talk to people all over the place point to point without any infrastructure at all.
After an article about the judge who did the case for Oracle vs Google and how he was a ham I got more and more interested in ham radios. The only downside is the cost of some of the equipment, but if you can reach a main city there's usually repeaters up on those buildings from what I've been told. There's so much to learn I feel and I don't know where to start truly, I've just watched a couple of videos and read a…
Ham radio does not necessarily mean expensive equipment. It tends to get expensive, but with some knowledge about electronics, you can build transceivers and antennas very cheaply too - and after all, being allowed to do that is the main, unique perk of a ham radio license. And yes, you can still do long-distance connections that's your goal.
Yes, while using repeaters is one of the less interesting aspects of the hobby, I do strongly recommend (licensed) beginners to get a $35 Baofeng 2m/70cm handheld radio precisely because it gets you some gratification very cheaply and very quickly.
If you're from the US, you would start at http://www.arrl.org/getting-licensed, either with online material or the book. If you're from Germany, I can highly recommend http://amateurfunkpruefung.de/. Additionally, you should check if there's a group nearby: with a licensed instructor present, you can transmit even before getting your own license, which is also very motivating. And a ham radio club will typically give you access to very expensive tools and knowledgeable people who want to help you succeed.