Should you get a ham radio license or hide from the government?

[htperry]

Should You Get a Ham Radio License or Hide From the Government?



Read more: https://www.google.com/amp/www.thepr...overnment/amp/
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[htperry]

Bump for those interested. I moved some previous posts from CSC.

 

[REELDOC]

I've got to get off my butt and get my ticket. Lots of gear, no ticket, no talkie.........................

 

[Lawless]

Howard, I think what most who have these questions fail to realize is that unlike with some agencies, the amateur radio community has a great relationship with the FCC. The FCC, unlike what some may think, is not in the business of suppressing radio, but of furthering it. I am as skeptical as anyone here of regulation and oversight, but the FCC does not bother me as it relates to ham use. If/when things ever spiral out of control, the last thing I will be worried about is the FCC stopping me from using radio.

You will not be able to acquire the skill to use radio effectively without getting your ticket.

 

[htperry]

You will not be able to acquire the skill to use radio effectively without getting your ticket.

This is absolutely true. I'll add that most hams are not going to be inclined to help someone that derides ham radio or isn't planning to get their ticket, but want a ham radio. It is harmful to our hobby to teach anyone to use our spectrum without a license.

We have some Mexicans down this way that use 146.500 Simplex illegally.

 

[georgel]

Howard, link is broken.

Yep, many think that they're gonna throw a radio in their bag and use it when the SHTF. Not realizing that operation has a learning curve, and operators may be reluctant to talk to an unknown non-ham, or share info, much less offer aid.
This is assuming they get their radios configured and they get out at all or even be able to listen, for that matter.

 

[htperry]

Howard, link is broken.

Yep, many think that they're gonna throw a radio in their bag and use it when the SHTF. Not realizing that operation has a learning curve, and operators may be reluctant to talk to an unknown non-ham, or share info, much less offer aid.
This is assuming they get their radios configured and they get out at all or even be able to listen, for that matter.

See if it works now. This is an old post I moved.

 

[WZ4I]

Howard, link is broken.

Yep, many think that they're gonna throw a radio in their bag and use it when the SHTF. But, not realizing that not only does operation have a learning curve, but operators may be reluctant to talk to an unknown non-ham, or share info, much less offer aid.
This is assuming they get their radios configured and they get out at all.

EXACTLY!!! I am a big proponent of hands on training. No different than with your weapons.

Several of us local folks, hit the trail 4 or 5 times per year, at a minimum, with our gear on our back. As for Field Day? We usually operate from a primitive campsite in the South Mtn State Park. No commercial mains, no generator, no pizza joint nearby. Battery power only, and have used solar to re-charge. We don't make a ton of contacts. That's not the point of Field Day IMO.

 

[Lawless]

Howard, link is broken.

Yep, many think that they're gonna throw a radio in their bag and use it when the SHTF. Not realizing that operation has a learning curve, and operators may be reluctant to talk to an unknown non-ham, or share info, much less offer aid.
This is assuming they get their radios configured and they get out at all or even be able to listen, for that matter.

HF especially has a learning curve. Admittedly about anyone can pick up an HT and chat on a repeater, but repeaters won't be around if/when the zombies come. Knowing how all this shiz works takes using the shiz.

 

[WZ4I]

Howard, link is broken.

Yep, many think that they're gonna throw a radio in their bag and use it when the SHTF. Not realizing that operation has a learning curve, and operators may be reluctant to talk to an unknown non-ham, or share info, much less offer aid.
This is assuming they get their radios configured and they get out at all or even be able to listen, for that matter.

One of the VE's for a local club is always making comments about the $39.00 extras, that are 100% 2M repeater ops. No longer can you rely upon the license class the op holds to determine the amount of experience that op has.

 

[WZ4I]

Howard, link is broken.

Yep, many think that they're gonna throw a radio in their bag and use it when the SHTF. Not realizing that operation has a learning curve, and operators may be reluctant to talk to an unknown non-ham, or share info, much less offer aid.
This is assuming they get their radios configured and they get out at all or even be able to listen, for that matter.

One of the VE's for a local club is always making comments about the $39.00 extras, that are 100% 2M repeater ops. No longer can you rely upon the license class the op holds to determine the amount of experience that op has.

 

[JohnFreeman]

This is absolutely true. I'll add that most hams are not going to be inclined to help someone that derides ham radio or isn't planning to get their ticket, but want a ham radio. It is harmful to our hobby to teach anyone to use our spectrum without a license.

We have some Mexicans down this way that use 146.500 Simplex illegally.

Time for a T-hunt !!

 

[hp468]

If your worried about OPSEC just get a PO Box and use it for your FCC paperwork. We're all on enough lists as is, the man can find you if he wants.

 

[fishgutzy]

Howard, I think what most who have these questions fail to realize is that unlike with some agencies, the amateur radio community has a great relationship with the FCC. The FCC, unlike what some may think, is not in the business of suppressing radio, but of furthering it. I am as skeptical as anyone here of regulation and oversight, but the FCC does not bother me as it relates to ham use. If/when things ever spiral out of control, the last thing I will be worried about is the FCC stopping me from using radio.

You will not be able to acquire the skill to use radio effectively without getting your ticket.

The FCC only wants to suppress conservative talk radio via censorship masquerading as the fairness doctrine.
If a future democrat president ever perceives ham as a threat they will use the license list to confiscate equipment.

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

 

[Lawless]

Howard, I think what most who have these questions fail to realize is that unlike with some agencies, the amateur radio community has a great relationship with the FCC. The FCC, unlike what some may think, is not in the business of suppressing radio, but of furthering it. I am as skeptical as anyone here of regulation and oversight, but the FCC does not bother me as it relates to ham use. If/when things ever spiral out of control, the last thing I will be worried about is the FCC stopping me from using radio.

You will not be able to acquire the skill to use radio effectively without getting your ticket.

The FCC only wants to suppress conservative talk radio via censorship masquerading as the fairness doctrine.
If a future democrat president ever perceives ham as a threat they will use the license list to confiscate equipment.

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

It's not the FCC that wants to do this, it is the liberals in elected government.

 

[noway2]

If your concern is being on a list with your name and address, just think about all the junk mail you get or better yet, just google yourself.. The govt already has that information. An FCC license is small potatoes in comparison.

 

[Lawless]

Besides, just because you are licensed, does not mean that there is a list of equipment. We don't register our Kenwoods and bowwowfangs.

I am SO far beyond worrying about being on a list or some such. Unless you are publicly sticking up like a fat 16D you won't get hammered.

You are not that important.....until you do something to become that important.

If and when this pig goes tits up, the last thing we will have to worry about is someone from the fed coming to get your HT or tell you to take your dipole down.
(and I am probably among the most paranoid and skeptical of any government involvement in anything of anyone here)

 

[noway2]

This brings up another good point. Legally speaking, ham radio is very well protected against rogue government. Obviously if we're at the revolution point it isn't going to matter, but technically speaking as long as Uncle is remotely function it requires declaration of the war powers act to suspend ham radio.

Another aspect to consider is that if and when a hostile force wants to shut down radio operators they're going to do it by homing in on transmissions, not by going door to door of license holders.

This subject comes up occasionally on the morning drive time on the .250, and the local VEC says that there are a lot of people getting licensed but you never hear them getting on the air and he thinks that it's a lot of preppers getting them and putting a Baofeng in a faraday cage and never learning how to use it, which is just as bad.

 

[htperry]

technically speaking as long as Uncle is remotely function it requires declaration of the war powers act to suspend ham radio.

Will Ham Radio be Shut Down if War is Declared?
Some amateurs have been wondering if the FCC will shut down Amateur Radio in the event that war breaks out in the Middle East. The short answer is "no."

Just prior to the Gulf War, §214.4(b)(4) of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations was deleted. This section had mandated the closing of all Amateur Radio stations except Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) stations in the event that the president proclaimed a war or national emergency. The last time Amateur Radio was shut down was during World War II, although the FCC continued to give Amateur Radio examinations.

While the Amateur Radio Service will not automatically be shut down if the president invokes the War Powers Act, Amateur Radio licensees must continue to observe any directives the FCC may issue in the interests of national security and of making spectrum available for government use.

The FCC is directed to work in coordination with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to issue "appropriate rules, regulations, orders and instructions" for use of the spectrum "as may be necessary to ensure the effective use of those portions of the radio spectrum shared by government and non-government users." Amateurs share most UHF allocations with the US government.

Source:

The ARRL Letter Vol. 22, No. 11 March 14, 2003

Editor's Note:

The following ARRL Bulletin on September 11 reports this:

"Should a state of war be declared, Amateur Radio would not automatically be shut down. This requirement was eliminated prior to the Gulf War."

You may find this bulletin on the ARRL Web at:

http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/2001-arlx009.html.

In addition, the ARRL's FCC Rule Book states this on page 5-11 and 5- 12:

"Before 1990, a war or national emergency proclamation by the President automatically mandated the closing of all Amateur Radio stations [97.407(b)]. This is highly improbable now. Part of Section 214 of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations (which deals with the National Security Council) was changed on December 11, 1990, eliminating the requirement that the Amateur Radio Service be automatically shut down during such an emergency. Instead, when a national emergency is declared, amateurs are obligated to observe whatever orders the FCC may issue in the interests of national security." -- ed.


http://www.eham.net/articles/5061

 

[WZ4I]

This subject comes up occasionally on the morning drive time on the .250, and the local VEC says that there are a lot of people getting licensed but you never hear them getting on the air and he thinks that it's a lot of preppers getting them and putting a Baofeng in a faraday cage and never learning how to use it, which is just as bad.

That VE is correct.

A buddy and I have given presentations at several local clubs/events about getting into the field and actually learn how to use your gear be it VHF/UHF, or HF with limited resources. Enthusiasm is always positive, and we get a lot of questions after the presentation. We also get the email addresses of those who are interested in taking that step. Unfortunately very, very few take that next step. The ones that do, continue to be active, and continue to advance thru the rank.

 

[WeepingAngel]

Another aspect to consider is that if and when a hostile force wants to shut down radio operators they're going to do it by homing in on transmissions, not by going door to door of license holders.

This was my first thought up on reading the headline - other than a correlation between addresses and licenses (actually tracking usage and frequencies*), there's very little given/hidden from the government here.

* if it comes to monitoring content, frequency usage, locating transmitters... well, if the government is going to do that, licensing wont' matter a damn.

 

[htperry]

local VEC says that there are a lot of people getting licensed but you never hear them getting on the air and he thinks that it's a lot of preppers getting them and putting a Baofeng in a faraday cage and never learning how to use it, which is just as bad.

One of the problems of preppers getting a ham radio license is that they really aren't interested in radio, but they read in a Rawles book they need it. Then they seek out prepper hams that don't encourage new hams to first enjoy ham radio as a recreation to build their interest. They tell them to start learning as a minimalist, QRP. For anyone new to any hobby or skill, success is key to building confidence and interest to then progress. Before experiencing the basics successfully, starting new hams in a niche skill (QRP) of ham radio guarantees a less than pleasurable beginning experience. Put a new ham in front of a good average station and they will progress as their aptitude and desire dictate. IMO, most prepper hams are destine to fail due to the way they entered the hobby.

 

[WZ4I]

most prepper hams are destine to fail due to the way they entered the hobby.

Most prepper ham are destine to fail, cause they won't get off those damn repeaters.