EricB1956

I'm not talking about current times, I'm talking about after SHTF. Of course I know it's considered commercial use.

No, we won't. I got into amateur radio for two reasons, one, I wanted to learn more about grid down communications, and two, I wanted the ability to communicate long distances, as well as locally during a grid down situation. That said, it's not for everybody, but I do believe that every militia should have at least two hams. Why two? Two is one and one is none. Having other means of communication is always desirable, you'd never want to limit yourself to just amateur radio.

General license ham here. Just got started last year, I can safely say that you really need a licence to maximize the full potential of amateur radio.

I just used "Pass your Amateur Radio ***** Class Test" by Craig "Buck" K4IA for the study material, and used Ham Test Prep apps from the Apple app store for the practice tests. I studied those for a couple months last year, then took my test in August. I took all three tests but didn't pass Extra, it's a pretty hard one. Of course, it didn't help that I had been studying the wrong General test, and only discovered that a week before I took the test so I had to start all over and cram for a week. But I passed it. So, if you do it the way I did it, make sure you're studying the correct test! The Extra test that's out now expires this month, after July 1st it's a whole new test. The current Technician test is valid until June 30th, 2022 The current General test is valid until June 30th, 2023 The current Extra test is valid until the end of this month. There is a testing session here in Wichita this Saturday, June 6th, at the VFW post 3115, but it's a little late to get in on that I think. If you want to try, pm me for details. They're also doing one on the 23rd of this month, and that's the one I'm going to try and shoot for. Testing is $15, and you need to have your DL, current licence if you're upgrading, or your FRN number from the FCC. (If you don't know what that is, pm me and I'll get you started on that, you've gotta have it) Some people are worried about "OPSEC" and having your name and address out there for all to see when they know your callsign. Well, if you've ever filled out a 4473, you've already been outed. The nice thing here is, you can use a PO box and stay relatively anonymous. As long as you can be contacted by the FCC if they ever need to it'll all be fine. (The FCC isn't doing much on the amateur radio side that I can tell anyway) And again, any questions please feel free to pm me and I'll do whatever I can to help ya. These are the test apps and study guide that I used, they are the best I could find.

I'm a ham and live in Wichita. If anyone needs any help I'd be happy to do what I can. I can probably hook you up on a radio as well, wife says the living room looks like a NASA control room! 🤣🤣🤣 But I agree, there needs to be a comm system in place, and one that doesn't include repeaters. I've been experimenting with NVIS and have had good results.