The Importance of Amateur Radio in Communication

[louie535]

Amateur radio, or ham radio, remains a critical tool for communication, especially in emergencies. When disasters disrupt internet and phone networks, ham operators provide a reliable lifeline, coordinating relief and sharing real-time updates using simple, battery-powered equipment.

Beyond emergencies, amateur radio connects people globally, fosters innovation, and serves as a training ground for future engineers and emergency responders. Its independence from centralized systems makes it resilient against cyber threats and infrastructure failures.

In a digital age, amateur radio proves that simple, reliable communication remains vital for connection, safety, and innovation.

[nokones]

This is not the appropriate forum for the above posting. This is a GMRS forum and you should be posting this on a Amateur Radio Forum or Radio Reference.

[Socalgmrs]

Ok

[WRUU653]

1 hour ago, nokones said:

This is not the appropriate forum for the above posting. This is a GMRS forum and you should be posting this on an Amateur Radio Forum or Radio Reference.

Actually this forum has an amateur radio category and since it does amateur radio posting is obviously welcome here by the owner. You might make the case this should be posted there but since it was posted under the category of general discussion it could be said it’s appropriate here as well. Come on, you should know this by now.

[WRXB215]

6 minutes ago, WRUU653 said:

Come on, you should know this by now.

Not all "sad hams" are actually hams. 

[OffRoaderX]

10 hours ago, louie535 said:

Amateur radio, or ham radio, remains a critical tool for communication, especially in emergencies. When disasters disrupt internet and phone networks, ham operators provide a reliable lifeline, coordinating relief and sharing real-time updates using simple, battery-powered equipment.

Beyond emergencies, amateur radio connects people globally, fosters innovation, and serves as a training ground for future engineers and emergency responders. Its independence from centralized systems makes it resilient against cyber threats and infrastructure failures.

In a digital age, amateur radio proves that simple, reliable communication remains vital for connection, safety, and innovation.

Thats dumb.. Just use your cellphone! 

[marcspaz]

7 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

Thats dumb.. Just use your cellphone! 

 

I made a special EmComm rig with two Campbell's soup cans from the '70s and 5,000 feet of Spider Wire.

[RayDiddio]

47 minutes ago, marcspaz said:

 

I made a special EmComm rig with two Campbell's soup cans from the '70s and 5,000 feet of Spider Wire.

Ah... the good kind of comms!

[WRUE951]

56 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

Thats dumb.. Just use your cellphone! 

or your Elon Musk dish......  

[WRXB215]

51 minutes ago, marcspaz said:

5,000 feet of Spider Wire

Your DX rig was far superior to mine. 

[WRUU653]

2 hours ago, marcspaz said:

 

I made a special EmComm rig with two Campbell's soup cans from the '70s and 5,000 feet of Spider Wire.

Mmm mmm good

[BoxCar]

4 hours ago, marcspaz said:

 

I made a special EmComm rig with two Campbell's soup cans from the '70s and 5,000 feet of Spider Wire.

Do birds roosting on the spider wire cause interference or just loss?

[WRYZ926]

4 minutes ago, BoxCar said:

Do birds roosting on the spider wire cause interference or just loss?

I bet that will depend on if they are wet or dry on how much attenuation they cause. 

[WRXL702]

......And GMRS Station Operators & Repeater Owners Do The Same For Emergency Communications Just As Well - If Not Better.

[marcspaz]

1 hour ago, BoxCar said:

Do birds roosting on the spider wire cause interference or just loss?

 

Depends on if they are sitting still or shuffling around.

[WRXL702]

Meaning The Birds Or GMRS Operators - LOL......

[WRYZ926]

I'm sure that birds dancing around on the wire will change the SWR. Now if a person dances on the wire you will probably need new wire. 

[Willie]

Man.... this thread has gone to the birds. Literally. 

[WRYZ926]

Here is a good video from KM4ACK and his thoughts on why Hams need GMRS. And I have to agree that it is always good to have as many modes of communications as possible.

Why Hams Need GMRS

[CaptainSarcastic]

22 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

Here is a good video from KM4ACK and his thoughts on why Hams need GMRS. And I have to agree that it is always good to have as many modes of communications as possible.

Why Hams Need GMRS

Good video - I am a ham and have a CB in my Jeep and also a GMRS handheld in my jeep. They are all tools with unique use cases in my opinion. There isn't an "end all be all" radio.

[WRHS218]

On 11/22/2024 at 7:31 AM, marcspaz said:

 

I made a special EmComm rig with two Campbell's soup cans from the '70s and 5,000 feet of Spider Wire.

Everyone knows Progresso  cans are higher gain give you more fars.

[WRYZ926]

1 hour ago, WRHS218 said:

Everyone knows Progresso  cans are higher gain give you more fars.

You definitely have to check the resonance of different tin cans. 

[Willie]

Well just don't exceed the number of fars allowed or you know who might come around and tell you - "NO SOUP FOR YOU!

[LeoG]

No radio is fully reliable just like cell phones aren't.  Just like anything it's technology and it works great until it doesn't.