Is anyone else thinking about going back to old school tactics of the ham radio. With the build up of fediverse, Meta, flock, Alphabet and now LG tv’s now spying on us in our own homes, getting a ham license and building one of these from scratch would not only gain some different kind of knowledge, but maybe if internet/cellular networks were to fail or get “taken over” there would be a backup system of communication. The old string and can trick only works with your neighbors. I know there is some serious ramifications if you don’t get licensed and tap into ham radio frequencies, and it doesn’t take much to get one… I don’t know if ‘tuning that dial” is dying out. But we may need to. Maybe it’s a dooms-day prepper kinda thing for me to say, and I don’t consider myself one at all since I only have 3 rolls of toilet paper in my house albeit I am a Costco member. I’m just curious if anyone else that is pulling away from the fediverse is also thinking about learning the Ham radio Trade also?

  • Blondie@lemmy.zipOP
    2·
    7 days ago

    I did see the class/test was all online… easypeasy! I really don’t want to be fined… so loose the chance to not have a license. I’m def going to do it. I hear if you use a hand held it’s easier not to get “caught” as you are mobile. But it’s not expensive. Doing it.

    • 667@lemmy.radioEnglish
      2·
      6 days ago

      I assume you’re in the US, so you can use hamstudy.org. From there you can schedule your exam online and take it online. I did my Tech from a beachside resort in Philippines during the pandemic, and my General and Extra from an AirBnB in New Mexico. Two of my examiners were Australian, and each of them in different parts of the US as well.

      With daily study, you should be able to knock out each license level in about a month each.

      • Blondie@lemmy.zipOP
        1·
        6 days ago

        I am in the US, and yes, online course work, and in my state, it’s 15$ to take the test at a testing site near my home for the technical license. Thanks for the recommendation on the online course, there are many to choose from, and some of the websites are … messy.

        • 667@lemmy.radioEnglish
          2·
          6 days ago

          Certainly! It’s a bit of an unspoken duty to encourage others to get licensed. It’s one of the accomplishments I most adore.

          You can do it in person, but hamstudy should also provide remote options as well. I did mine from a beach on a Pacific Island!

          • Blondie@lemmy.zipOP
            1·
            5 days ago

            Yes. Thanks for the recommendation and the link to follow more ham friends and get ham information.