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Ham radio operators are saving Puerto Rico (2017)

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Re: Ham radio operators are saving Puerto Rico (2017)

#21

Post by godelski »

knob wrote: post #6

As 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 suggest taking a bunch of these tests. You might be able to schedule one test and get both technician and general. I did two tests in one day (and missed like 2 or 3 from getting my general). But the technician is fairly easy, but there is some memorization that you need to do.

http://aa9pw.com/radio/

Re: Ham radio operators are saving Puerto Rico (2017)

#22

Post by tomswartz07 »

AmVess wrote: post #15
Ao7bei3s wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 ho…

Baofeng radios are only marginally useful on the receive end, and generally terrible on the transmit end. A decent Yaesu is $165+, but will last for many years and actually fulfill its role if you need it to. Look up tests of Baofeng radios and you'll see how poorly they carry out their intended function.

I see your point, but the argument is that if you're just getting started, $30 is a much easier pill to swallow.

As for your tests on the Baofengs, I'd be interested to see your sources and the exact models tested.

As a counterpoint: Here's a video of an Official Baofeng UV-5R being stress tested, and demonstrating how resilient the front-end is: https://youtu.be/KqVq2G9dY5Q

I don't think that a Yaesu HT would continue working after running without an antenna, but I wouldn't want to try it myself.

Re: Ham radio operators are saving Puerto Rico (2017)

#24

Post by vorpalhex »

AmVess wrote: post #15
Ao7bei3s wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 ho…

Baofeng radios are only marginally useful on the receive end, and generally terrible on the transmit end. A decent Yaesu is $165+, but will last for many years and actually fulfill its role if you need it to. Look up tests of Baofeng radios and you'll see how poorly they carry out their intended function.

Baofengs are terrible but they're cheap and extremely accessible. Also they provide enough room for experimentation with antennas and basic theory.

Not all equipment has to be the best equipment. Sometimes "OK" is enough.

Re: Ham radio operators are saving Puerto Rico (2017)

#27

Post by jcims »

godelski wrote: post #21
knob wrote: post #6

As 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 suggest taking a bunch of these tests. You might be able to schedule one test and get both technician and general. I did two tests in one day (and missed like 2 or 3 from getting my general). But the technician is fairly easy, but there is some memorization that you need to do. http://aa9pw.com/radio/

Good advice, but honestly just put in the time and you'll get general first time around. There a few good study apps that helped me pass the first time around with some basic high school physics and a month of shitter study sessions.

Re: Ham radio operators are saving Puerto Rico (2017)

#28

Post by sevensor »

geff82 wrote: post #9
knob wrote: post #6

As 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.

Definitely. Most of the questions on the tech exam are there to make sure you understand what it means to be a radio operator and responsible for your transmissions. Pass it and you can use HTs (VHF/UHF walkie-talkies), which is pretty nice. General lets you use SSB on HF, which actually lets you talk to distant people. You have to know some basic EM and electrical safety for General. Personally I had a hard time studying from Q&As/exams, and I think the license manuals are worth reading.

Re: Ham radio operators are saving Puerto Rico (2017)

#29

Post by jpmattia »

Ao7bei3s wrote: post #16
AmVess wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Baofeng radios are only marginally useful on the receive end, and generally terrible on the transmit end. A decent Yaesu is $165+, but will last for many years and actually fulfill its role if you need it to. Look up tests of Baofeng radios and you'll see how poorly they carry out their intended function.

Look, a decent Yaesu costs 5x as much, and the Baofeng fully fulfills the role I recommended it for - which is to get a beginner started quickly. The entire point was that you don't need to take part in the pay to win game. Noone said Baofengs are high-quality devices. But that's kind of the point, and it is easily good enough to get onto a local relay to get some easy satisfaction and practice the non-technical aspe…

> Look, a decent Yaesu costs 5x as much

Old timer says: My Kenwood (3 tube final amp) cost about $700 in 1978, so I'm a little amazed at modern pricing.

-- KA1BKM

Re: Ham radio operators are saving Puerto Rico (2017)

#30

Post by kawfey »

godelski wrote: post #21
knob wrote: post #6

As 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 suggest taking a bunch of these tests. You might be able to schedule one test and get both technician and general. I did two tests in one day (and missed like 2 or 3 from getting my general). But the technician is fairly easy, but there is some memorization that you need to do. http://aa9pw.com/radio/

I recommend https://hamstudy.org/
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