I just got my tech, studying for my general, and yup, your videos have helped a bunch! I'm going to start recommending your channel in the various forums, as it's so hard to wrap your head around these concepts, and you did such an amazing presentation for us. Thank you sir!
Wow, you’re gifted in presenting information succinctly and in a format that is easy to understand. I just got my Technician license a few weeks ago and this was helpful!
Technician Class are permitted to operate on 6 meter (50-54 mhz), 2 meter (144 - 148), 1.25 meter (222 - 225 mhz), 70 cm (420 -450 mhz), 33 cm (902-928 mhz), 23 cm (1240 - 1300), and 13 cm band (2300 - 2310 mhz, 2390 - 2450 mhz). Technicians are also permitted to communicate a some HF bands as well. 80 meter ( 3.525 - 3.600 mhz), 40 meters (7.025 - 7.125 mhz), 15 meter ( 21.025 - 21.200), and 10 meter ( 28.000 - 28.500 ). Chris French KD2CLQ
Great video! I am asked a lot here lately exactly what you're talking about. I am saving your video to show folks so they might better understand what they should consider. I get very annoyed with folks who get a radio (and MAYBE their license) to have in an emergency. Yet they put the radio in their closet and fail to practice with it and know how to simply program a simplex frequency if need be. If the SHTF then just how exactly are some of these fools gonna know what and/or how to use their equipment? I explain to them to get on the air, join a net, meet other hams and be ready for when it does get bad. Keep up the good work with your videos Commsprepper, you do really good work. Thank you.
Excellent video. Best I've seen for explaining ham radio. Most videos assume they are talking to fellow hams. If you are new you don't know terms or acronyms. Thanks!!
I am trying to be a beginner, so I'm blind about all this radio-communications, but thanks for all the information, I feel that I'm starting to learn something. thanks a lot
T = Technician are allowed on other bands besides 2 Meter and 70 cm. They are also allowed to use: 6 Meters (50 mhz) 80 meters (3.5 mhz) 15 meters (21mhz) 40 meters (7 mhz) 10 meter (28 mhz) 23 cm (1240 mhz)
If I were you I would look into obtaining your ham license. It teaches you a lot about radio and communications. Imagine every fool jamming the frequencies because of either not knowing proper etiquette or just being an asshat. I passed my technician test on march 3rd and tonight just passed my general. it's well worth it.
Congratulations on getting your Technician class license! Go for General class now. With General - you get HF and HF is the best part of Amateur radio!
As a relatively new "HAMster", this was a nice orientation review. My comms requirements will remain local, with mobility beyond an "HT" add as soon as I decide which model and how to get a quick disconnect configuration designed do that I can easily move between vehicle and desk.
NVIS antennas on 80 meter and 40 meter are good for local and regional. You need a General license for them. If you have a Technician license, you can use these other bands IN AN EMERGENCY IF NO OTHER MEANS OF COMMUNICATION ARE AVAILABLE. If cell towers or repeaters or the internet (with Zello) are up you must use those before the other HF bands. Technicians can use 10 meters, and the CB frequencies also fall in the range of typical HF transceivers. At the 10 meter and CB frequencies you can get extra punch with SSB.
Thanks DEMCAD for the positive feedback. I think I good communications plan is a must for any emergency. Amateur radio has always been about emergency preparedness. Thanks for watching.
A good presentation with one major shortcoming - no mention of handheld battery operated and mobile (vehicle mounted radios) which are generally much less expensive than the radios you showed.
I am currently learning for the test to the basic license in Croatia. We only got 2 licence types here, basic and professional. But with the basic license I am also allowed to use 80m, 40m, 15m, 10m, 2m i 70cm bands on 100W max.
@funkyprepper: It can indeed be very technical. The exams are intended to ensure that licensees understand how radio functions, ground waves vs. sky waves, antenna theory, FCC regulatory requirements, etc. In return, Hams are granted permission to operate on many different frequency bands. Hams are allowed to transmit with enough power that they or others could be in physical danger if the station is set up incorrectly. We're even allowed to design and build our own equipment.
Thanks Commsprepper for the info. I did signup at qrz and I have some study materials ordered. I will get my technicians license and then start looking for a mobile unit.
It depends on the radio. International communications takes place on frequencies between 2 and 30 mHz. This frequency band is known as the High Frequency or HF band.
So with the Cloves stuck in the ham does that make it a Ham Yagi with a dipole top section? Excellent video as always. Many thanks for the time you spend and the knowledge you share. You and Guerrillacomm have helped me a ton with calm, complete explanations.
A technician class, amateur radio license or even better a general class amateur radio license, is a must for all preppers. With those licenses as previously stated in this UA-cam video you can communicate locally or worldwide(with other preppers).I would also like to inform everybody that cw or continuous wave (cw) morse code signals can get thru world wide with very very low power 1+ watts.I have worked Euorpe and other countries with (5) watts,or less.
Great vid that answers alot of questions I get from fellow preppers. One recommendation I would make should you ever offer and updated vid.. I recommend NOT using the "all in one" radios because that limits you. If you invest in an all in one rig and that rig goes down, you are off the air! I advocate having sep radios for each band where possible IE one radio for 6m, on for 2m, one for 70cm and one for HF. This way even if one goes down, you are still on the air. And, it can be cheaper!
Yeah, I'm hoping to pull the trigger on an FT-857D very soon. You're definitely right about the 8900 too. Looking back on it I wish I would've just saved up the extra money and gone right to the 857D.
Nice vid man. It's good to see preppers getting into ham radio. Working a rig takes some amount of skill. It kills me to see people buying ham radios and don't have a clue how to use them but buy them for shtf emergency. Like buying a ak and keeping it in the box and never shooting it till shtf. Thanks.73s
+T Martin Thank you. That't the principle goal of the channel - to show folks the proper way to use Amateur radio equipment with appropriate licensing to ensure our hobby retains its credibility, support, and respect.
I recently talked to another Ham operator in Buffalo, NY at the time they were covered with 76 inches of snow. He was fine, but if he had been without power or phone service, he could have used his radio for reaching emergency help directly, or though even myself. I saw the vehicles which were stranded during the blizzard, radios such as the Yaesu 857d could be a lifesaver in these situations. They are tough radios, I know an 18 wheeler who uses one in his truck, and it takes a beating. I have talked to him in 27 different states, and have heard him talk to Australia while driving. It's not that hard to acquire a General class license. I have used handheld VHF radios to talk 150 miles using repeaters, so there are a lot of choices. I own a base, full coverage with SW listening capabilities, and a handheld VHF radio at the present. My next purchase, and if I was a beginner would be the Yaesu 857D because it can be used as a base with a power supply, or as a mobile in a vehicle. It could also be used with a wire antenna, and a 12 volt car battery for remote "bug out" communications. I am only promoting the 857D because of my friend who has hauled his radio to all the lower 48 states for about 8 years and it has never required servicing.
Thanks so much for this very clear and concise explanation! I know the radio selection is a little outdated, but it really helped me to understand where to begin. Have you done an updated radio recommendation? Thanks again!
Kenwood ts-2000 base and TM-d710 mobile have sky command. Also I believe they have a handheld with sky command. If someone wanted a complete package this would be the way to go. The TM-d710 can cross-band repeat. Ideal for mobile emergency needs. These radios together can do more than 99.99% of what hams would want. if you have a few thousand dollars burning a hole in your pocket, not including a tower, antennas, and some extras. Personally I couldn't go without a good dual band UHF/VHF mobile with cross band repeat function. Cross band repeat is great for camping, running around the neighborhood with the handheld, local group activities, and ect. Park the truck or car at a high point. You have a little repeater setup. Or set your base up with it and you are generally good for the whole town/little city. Please keep power levels low, good ham practice. I personally turn the function on only when I am going to be using my handheld in areas of poor reception.
I realize that the purpose of this video is to address people who just need some of the most basic info in choosing what type of radio to get, etc., which is why things like 10m voice being available to technicians aren't addressed. However, that also makes the case for why you might want to actually learn something about amateur radio rather than just do the minimum to get by. For example, technicians can also operate on 2m SSB, which can be an extremely good method of longer-range regional comms, rather than the far more limited range 2m FM that most know about. So even with just a technician's level license, there's a lot you can do, and some really smart decisions you can make early on to save yourself a lot of money later, if you actually bother to get your license and do some serious study before going out and buying a radio.
10m and 2m SSB are novelty modes and are not dependable for building a good prepper comms plan. Great for Ham who like to experiment and play around but too unstable to build a plan around.
Yes. Over the horizon communications on the HF bands (3-30mHz) is common - even when each station is opposite. Use google and look at the Amateur radio terms "long-path" and "short-path."
@Commsprepper - the reliable short wave bands depending on time and day will always be 80m, 40, and 20m. Once you learn how propagation works then you can ways schedule, or just know where the activity will be. The 2m and 70cm. bands using repeaters are great, but if there's no power for its repeaters FM direct can be a problem without proper antennas. Look into weak signal work like SSB, Meteor Scatter, CW, EME, and digital/Packet on the VHF/UHF bands.
They would know by your lack of call sign. I agree - I doubt you would face FCC penalties if you were to transmit without a license if you were "trapped under a rock" bleeding out. However, having the license allows you to operate (train) in non-life threatening emergencies and develop your radio skills and maintain operational efficiency. Investing in expensive radio equipment that cannot be used routinely used and tested is a waste. The entry test is not that hard, kids pass the test.
Also, certain bands are not limited just to regional or international communications. With the right conditions ANY of the amateur bands are capable of long-distance communications.
Technician does have a small portion of the 10m band. You can get some international skip however that band is only up during the day and.... well its not as active as it used to be.
@ardorlan I will work the home station into future vids. my comms preps focus on radio email and digital communications. I used it more than one during local grid-down events. allows us to keep in touch with distant family and weeds out the scanner people.
80, 60, and 40-meters will skip across the country and the ocean at night where 20, 17, 15 and 12 are dead at night. 40 meters is active day and night depending on conditions., but it's mainly a nighttime band.
Fantastic job with this video! Preppers need to get licensed if only to get educated. Many are running out and buying the cheap import radios and will be frustrated if they ever need to comm. in SHTF etc... One thing to add is the 10 meter band which Tech class licensees do have limited privledges on. Great local / regional and when band conditions are right allows worldwide comm with very little power (even 5 watts sometimes)
I don't know much about scanners and don't know one. I could see a scanner being a plus for monitoring Amateur radio communications and NOAA weather radio to know what's going on during an emergency. Scanners could serve a purpose for someone who does not want to get an Amateur radio license.
Great info. I like how you categorized usage for Local, Regional, and International. The only HAM radio restriction you seem to have was mentioned at (8:57). Too bad there isn't an FCC license to remove that restriction.
You dont need a General to get international, Technicians can go on CW using a computer on an HF rig at 200 watts or less on certain sections of HF bands and also voice on 10meters.
A General is easier to get than the Tech, because you have the foundation everything else is built on already. Of course if you are just memorizing answers to talk, it's just as easy to memorize the general answers as it was for the Tech. CB btw, can talk long distance as it is HF too. If conditions are right the signal skips just like any other HF radio.
I am a Technician. I have a 50' Tower with a 60' Antron, 10-160 dipole, IC7100 and FT891 eaxh 100 watts. We all hang out on 28-360L around here and couldn't be happier! :) 73, and good DX!
This is not completely true Technician Class licensees also have privileges in four amateur service bands in the HF range (3-30 MHz) (Refer to Section 97.301(e)).
Another good radio with multi-band capability is the Yeasu FT-8900R. It covers 70cm, 2m, 6m & 10m bands. It's cheaper than the FT-817ND at about $500. I know you can't name every single one that's out there though! :) 73! Keep up the good work, CP!!
I am new to ham radio. You are the first one to explain very clearly the basics of communication, radio band, and license class. Thanks
Thanks.
I just got my tech, studying for my general, and yup, your videos have helped a bunch! I'm going to start recommending your channel in the various forums, as it's so hard to wrap your head around these concepts, and you did such an amazing presentation for us. Thank you sir!
Wow, you’re gifted in presenting information succinctly and in a format that is easy to understand. I just got my Technician license a few weeks ago and this was helpful!
Glad it was helpful!
I know I am viewing this like 8 years after the fact, but this was a very helpful video. Thanks very much.
Thanks for the comment and channel support.
Extremely well presented material. Thank you very much!
Thank you.
Technician Class are permitted to operate on 6 meter (50-54 mhz), 2 meter (144 - 148), 1.25 meter (222 - 225 mhz), 70 cm (420 -450 mhz), 33 cm (902-928 mhz), 23 cm (1240 - 1300), and 13 cm band (2300 - 2310 mhz, 2390 - 2450 mhz). Technicians are also permitted to communicate a some HF bands as well. 80 meter ( 3.525 - 3.600 mhz), 40 meters (7.025 - 7.125 mhz), 15 meter ( 21.025 - 21.200), and 10 meter ( 28.000 - 28.500 ). Chris French KD2CLQ
Christopher French I'm looking at getting a 6m rig ONE of these days 73 de KB0ODB
I'm one of those quiet 'closet-preppers' and test for my Technician class..in two days....
Thanx for this video.... Very good.
Thanks again. So professional. I really like your videos. Perfect for someone like me trying to learn ham radio.
Great video. I went through about 10 before finding yours that laid out rough costs per performance. Thank you.
Glad it helped.
Great video! I am asked a lot here lately exactly what you're talking about. I am saving your video to show folks so they might better understand what they should consider. I get very annoyed with folks who get a radio (and MAYBE their license) to have in an emergency. Yet they put the radio in their closet and fail to practice with it and know how to simply program a simplex frequency if need be. If the SHTF then just how exactly are some of these fools gonna know what and/or how to use their equipment? I explain to them to get on the air, join a net, meet other hams and be ready for when it does get bad. Keep up the good work with your videos Commsprepper, you do really good work. Thank you.
+TangoTexan Thank for watching and taking the time to comment. Respectfully, Hank/CommsPrepper
thank you so much. i cant believe how hard it is to find all this info in one place and stated in an easy way for a noob to understand.
Glad it helped.
Dude, your videos are awesome. Thanks for the pointers.
You're doing a fine job of explaining complex stuff.
Thanks again. Always very helpful, as I am new to communication.
Great info, 1 of the best videos I've seen! Subscribing right now, Thanks!
+Blakehx Thank you. I hope it helped.
Excellent video. Best I've seen for explaining ham radio. Most videos assume they are talking to fellow hams. If you are new you don't know terms or acronyms. Thanks!!
Glad it was helpful!
Sir, an excellent video. Thank you for your service to us "newbies". Oscar
+Oscar Lechuga Thanks
Thank you for doing this video. Exactly the information I was looking for.
+Dave G Thanks for the feedback. Glad the video was helpful. CommsPrepper
I am trying to be a beginner, so I'm blind about all this radio-communications, but thanks for all the information, I feel that I'm starting to learn something. thanks a lot
Thank you for this video. I see a lot of people talking about the benefits of ham radio but not what kind of radio to get as a beginner.
Thanks for the comment and channel support.
Excellent presentation!
Thank you.
T = Technician are allowed on other bands besides 2 Meter and 70 cm. They are also allowed to use:
6 Meters (50 mhz) 80 meters (3.5 mhz) 15 meters (21mhz) 40 meters (7 mhz) 10 meter (28 mhz) 23 cm (1240 mhz)
Yes but those bands running CW are less useful for prepping purposes.
Thank you,
Just passed my general and was looking for info an HF radios. Great video.
congratulations.
Outstanding job explaining everything. Great video. 73, KG1USA
Thank you.
If I were you I would look into obtaining your ham license. It teaches you a lot about radio and communications. Imagine every fool jamming the frequencies because of either not knowing proper etiquette or just being an asshat. I passed my technician test on march 3rd and tonight just passed my general. it's well worth it.
Thank you so much for this informative video! very useful. Keep up the good work!
Got my Technician class....Now..gotta start studying for my 'General'. Thanx for your Ham' blig!
Well done, I appreciate the videos.
Thanks. Hope to keep them relevant.
My pleasure - happy you liked the video and will like the channel.
Thank you for your support Commsprepper
You bet
Congratulations on getting your Technician class license! Go for General class now. With General - you get HF and HF is the best part of Amateur radio!
Very nice overview. Thanks.
Thanks Tom.
Thank you for the reply ~ I'll order the cable and go from there
Great information for us late in life newbies. I just subscribed & Thanx for your time and expertise . . .
+Lone Ranger Glad it was a help. CommsPrepper
Very informative video. Thank you for posting.
mrfaisaldean Thanks for watching and commenting.
Excellent information.... Thank you !
Glad it was helpful!
Great Video wish I would have seen it when I started in to ham. I learned this the hard way.
+Fred Orsack Glad it helped.
Great video You really informed me on where I want to go with it. Thanks :)
Glad it helped.
Great video it was very educational you really help me out👍
Thanks. Glad it helped!
As a relatively new "HAMster", this was a nice orientation review. My comms requirements will remain local, with mobility beyond an "HT" add as soon as I decide which model and how to get a quick disconnect configuration designed do that I can easily move between vehicle and desk.
Thank you.
Good explanation and video. Thanks. Subscribed.
Thank you.
Excellent video!!
Good explanation. Very clear.
Glad it helped.
NVIS antennas on 80 meter and 40 meter are good for local and regional. You need a General license for them. If you have a Technician license, you can use these other bands IN AN EMERGENCY IF NO OTHER MEANS OF COMMUNICATION ARE AVAILABLE. If cell towers or repeaters or the internet (with Zello) are up you must use those before the other HF bands. Technicians can use 10 meters, and the CB frequencies also fall in the range of typical HF transceivers. At the 10 meter and CB frequencies you can get extra punch with SSB.
Very informative video. Thanks for sharing!
+Adam Dilamanie Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Congratulations! Welcome to the world of HF!
Thank you thank you thank you very informative for me
Very good explanation.
eecenarro Thank you.
Great video, Any plans to go into your personal setup more? reasons why, and what you would want to get in the future?
Thanks DEMCAD for the positive feedback. I think I good communications plan is a must for any emergency. Amateur radio has always been about emergency preparedness. Thanks for watching.
A good presentation with one major shortcoming - no mention of handheld battery operated and mobile (vehicle mounted radios) which are generally much less expensive than the radios you showed.
It's hard to capture every aspect of Ham radio. Thank you for the feedback. Hank
The biggest Ham Radio supplier in North America and the world is DX Engineering in Tallmadge, Ohio.
All you need to survive is a bucket of the Colonel's finest, a carton of lager and a Master Card.
And an Icom 7200 can help too.
Ade Larsen Having a IC-7200 would be nice.
You must have a nice station!
I am currently learning for the test to the basic license in Croatia. We only got 2 licence types here, basic and professional. But with the basic license I am also allowed to use 80m, 40m, 15m, 10m, 2m i 70cm bands on 100W max.
Great information, thanks.
Can't move but happy to advise. Thanks for watching and subscribing.
@funkyprepper: It can indeed be very technical. The exams are intended to ensure that licensees understand how radio functions, ground waves vs. sky waves, antenna theory, FCC regulatory requirements, etc. In return, Hams are granted permission to operate on many different frequency bands. Hams are allowed to transmit with enough power that they or others could be in physical danger if the station is set up incorrectly. We're even allowed to design and build our own equipment.
See your point just want folks to know they do get some HF with Tech class license. Again great video and I am sure it will be very helpful to many !
Thanks Commsprepper for the info. I did signup at qrz and I have some study materials ordered. I will get my technicians license and then start looking for a mobile unit.
+hammer 1963 That's a great plan man, you'll enjoy the skills you're going to learn, you can do it!
It depends on the radio. International communications takes place on frequencies between 2 and 30 mHz. This frequency band is known as the High Frequency or HF band.
So with the Cloves stuck in the ham does that make it a Ham Yagi with a dipole top section? Excellent video as always. Many thanks for the time you spend and the knowledge you share. You and Guerrillacomm have helped me a ton with calm, complete explanations.
A technician class, amateur radio license or even better a general class amateur radio license, is a must for all preppers. With those licenses as previously stated in this UA-cam video you can communicate locally or worldwide(with other preppers).I would also like to inform everybody that cw or continuous wave (cw) morse code signals can get thru world wide with very very low power 1+ watts.I have worked Euorpe and other countries with (5) watts,or less.
Great vid that answers alot of questions I get from fellow preppers. One recommendation I would make should you ever offer and updated vid.. I recommend NOT using the "all in one" radios because that limits you. If you invest in an all in one rig and that rig goes down, you are off the air! I advocate having sep radios for each band where possible IE one radio for 6m, on for 2m, one for 70cm and one for HF. This way even if one goes down, you are still on the air. And, it can be cheaper!
dont forget the tech lic you have access to almost all bands via cw and digital modes!!
Yeah, I'm hoping to pull the trigger on an FT-857D very soon. You're definitely right about the 8900 too. Looking back on it I wish I would've just saved up the extra money and gone right to the 857D.
Great intro video Sir!
+Appalachian Freedom Outdoors Thank you. It's one of my first. I wish I could do it over.
Great info for a new Ham!
Thanx! I test today. I already bought a Tyt TH-9000. ( i bought the radio..to push myself to really take the test. Haha! )
Nice vid man. It's good to see preppers getting into ham radio. Working a rig takes some amount of skill. It kills me to see people buying ham radios and don't have a clue how to use them but buy them for shtf emergency. Like buying a ak and keeping it in the box and never shooting it till shtf. Thanks.73s
+T Martin Thank you. That't the principle goal of the channel - to show folks the proper way to use Amateur radio equipment with appropriate licensing to ensure our hobby retains its credibility, support, and respect.
thanks for posting, great stuff
+Chuck Ewacks Thank you for watching and commenting.
I recently talked to another Ham operator in Buffalo, NY at the time they were covered with 76 inches of snow. He was fine, but if he had been without power or phone service, he could have used his radio for reaching emergency help directly, or though even myself. I saw the vehicles which were stranded during the blizzard, radios such as the Yaesu 857d could be a lifesaver in these situations. They are tough radios, I know an 18 wheeler who uses one in his truck, and it takes a beating. I have talked to him in 27 different states, and have heard him talk to Australia while driving. It's not that hard to acquire a General class license. I have used handheld VHF radios to talk 150 miles using repeaters, so there are a lot of choices. I own a base, full coverage with SW listening capabilities, and a handheld VHF radio at the present. My next purchase, and if I was a beginner would be the Yaesu 857D because it can be used as a base with a power supply, or as a mobile in a vehicle. It could also be used with a wire antenna, and a 12 volt car battery for remote "bug out" communications. I am only promoting the 857D because of my friend who has hauled his radio to all the lower 48 states for about 8 years and it has never required servicing.
I have a general license. haven't used it much I have a kennwood eight ninety.
I also have a yeasu 75o I use in the car. it covers all ban except 220
Thanks so much for this very clear and concise explanation! I know the radio selection is a little outdated, but it really helped me to understand where to begin. Have you done an updated radio recommendation? Thanks again!
You're very welcome!
Kenwood ts-2000 base and TM-d710 mobile have sky command. Also I believe they have a handheld with sky command. If someone wanted a complete package this would be the way to go.
The TM-d710 can cross-band repeat. Ideal for mobile emergency needs. These radios together can do more than 99.99% of what hams would want. if you have a few thousand dollars burning a hole in your pocket, not including a tower, antennas, and some extras. Personally I couldn't go without a good dual band UHF/VHF mobile with cross band repeat function.
Cross band repeat is great for camping, running around the neighborhood with the handheld, local group activities, and ect. Park the truck or car at a high point. You have a little repeater setup. Or set your base up with it and you are generally good for the whole town/little city. Please keep power levels low, good ham practice. I personally turn the function on only when I am going to be using my handheld in areas of poor reception.
I realize that the purpose of this video is to address people who just need some of the most basic info in choosing what type of radio to get, etc., which is why things like 10m voice being available to technicians aren't addressed. However, that also makes the case for why you might want to actually learn something about amateur radio rather than just do the minimum to get by. For example, technicians can also operate on 2m SSB, which can be an extremely good method of longer-range regional comms, rather than the far more limited range 2m FM that most know about. So even with just a technician's level license, there's a lot you can do, and some really smart decisions you can make early on to save yourself a lot of money later, if you actually bother to get your license and do some serious study before going out and buying a radio.
10m and 2m SSB are novelty modes and are not dependable for building a good prepper comms plan. Great for Ham who like to experiment and play around but too unstable to build a plan around.
Yes. Over the horizon communications on the HF bands (3-30mHz) is common - even when each station is opposite. Use google and look at the Amateur radio terms "long-path" and "short-path."
@Commsprepper - the reliable short wave bands depending on time and day will always be 80m, 40, and 20m. Once you learn how propagation works then you can ways schedule, or just know where the activity will be. The 2m and 70cm. bands using repeaters are great, but if there's no power for its repeaters FM direct can be a problem without proper antennas. Look into weak signal work like SSB, Meteor Scatter, CW, EME, and digital/Packet on the VHF/UHF bands.
Very informative. Thanks!
Glad it helped.
LOVE the into...lol! Can I pay you to move to my area and be our 'comms guy?' lol.
Loved the video. Do you have a similar format video for antennas?
They would know by your lack of call sign. I agree - I doubt you would face FCC penalties if you were to transmit without a license if you were "trapped under a rock" bleeding out. However, having the license allows you to operate (train) in non-life threatening emergencies and develop your radio skills and maintain operational efficiency. Investing in expensive radio equipment that cannot be used routinely used and tested is a waste. The entry test is not that hard, kids pass the test.
My son got tech plus code license at 6 yrs old.
I use D-STAR and ECHOLINK on my HAM RADIO on VHF/UHF
Also, certain bands are not limited just to regional or international communications. With the right conditions ANY of the amateur bands are capable of long-distance communications.
Technician does have a small portion of the 10m band. You can get some international skip however that band is only up during the day and.... well its not as active as it used to be.
Great video thank you.
Thank you.
Great information... thx
excellent and thank you
@ardorlan I will work the home station into future vids. my comms preps focus on radio email and digital communications. I used it more than one during local grid-down events. allows us to keep in touch with distant family and weeds out the scanner people.
Great video! Thanks for sharing it with us! 73's KD9JEO
Great info..Thanks..!
80, 60, and 40-meters will skip across the country and the ocean at night where 20, 17, 15 and 12 are dead at night.
40 meters is active day and night depending on conditions., but it's mainly a nighttime band.
Great points
Fantastic job with this video! Preppers need to get licensed if only to get educated. Many are running out and buying the cheap import radios and will be frustrated if they ever need to comm. in SHTF etc... One thing to add is the 10 meter band which Tech class licensees do have limited privledges on. Great local / regional and when band conditions are right allows worldwide comm with very little power (even 5 watts sometimes)
I don't know much about scanners and don't know one. I could see a scanner being a plus for monitoring Amateur radio communications and NOAA weather radio to know what's going on during an emergency. Scanners could serve a purpose for someone who does not want to get an Amateur radio license.
Great info. I like how you categorized usage for Local, Regional, and International. The only HAM radio restriction you seem to have was mentioned at (8:57). Too bad there isn't an FCC license to remove that restriction.
Yeh... limitless radio purchase card would be great.
You dont need a General to get international, Technicians can go on CW using a computer on an HF rig at 200 watts or less on certain sections of HF bands and also voice on 10meters.
Off Grid Texas Homestead AND 11 Meters ( CB Radio)
DrMichael MillerPhD
+1 to 11meter CB band, it can go international when the conditions and setup are right, even from a mobile setup!
A General is easier to get than the Tech, because you have the foundation everything else is built on already.
Of course if you are just memorizing answers to talk, it's just as easy to memorize the general answers as it was for the Tech.
CB btw, can talk long distance as it is HF too. If conditions are right the signal skips just like any other HF radio.
I am a Technician. I have a 50' Tower with a 60' Antron, 10-160 dipole, IC7100 and FT891 eaxh 100 watts. We all hang out on 28-360L around here and couldn't be happier! :)
73, and good DX!
@@freethegeek4403 A 60' Antron? I want to see that!
Thank you for a very information video. Being new to the game, I need a lot of help and you opened my eyes to some things.
Glad the video has helped. It was one of first and not the best but folks seem to like it.
Clear explained. Thanks.
+Xander Marks glad it helped
This is not completely true Technician Class licensees also have privileges in four amateur service bands in the HF range (3-30 MHz) (Refer to Section 97.301(e)).
Exactly!
You know CW is Morse code right? Good luck with that
@@rockymountainhigh7593 Technician Class licensee 28.300-28.500 phone privileges
Thanks - I was not sure and thanks for watching. Respectfully - CommsPrepper.
Another good radio with multi-band capability is the Yeasu FT-8900R. It covers 70cm, 2m, 6m & 10m bands. It's cheaper than the FT-817ND at about $500. I know you can't name every single one that's out there though! :) 73! Keep up the good work, CP!!