The Rich History of Ham Radio Culture

Re:The Rich History of Ham Radio Culture by simonw on Sunday July 28, 2024 @03:00PM (#41095181)

I agree that understanding the restrictions on HAM usage - including the ban on encryption, and strict rules on what kind of material can be broadcast (since anyone can hear it) - is really important.

You don't have to pay ongoing fees: the initial outlay in the USA is $35 for the license (you have to pass the exam) plus the cost for your equipment (~$70 for the cheaper HAM radios on Amazon), but after that there are no ongoing charges.

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Re:The Rich History of Ham Radio Culture by BenjiWiebe on Sunday July 28, 2024 @09:58PM (#41097415)

There is a renewal fee for the license, every 10 years. But it's negligible.

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Re:The Rich History of Ham Radio Culture by nobodyknowin on Monday July 29, 2024 @12:10AM (#41097832)

Does one have to take a test for renewal? Or is it a one and done type thing?

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Re:The Rich History of Ham Radio Culture by simonw on Monday July 29, 2024 @01:51AM (#41098211)

You don't have to take the test again. I believe you only have to take the test if your license expires at the end of the ten years AND you wait more than two years before renewing it again.

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Re:The Rich History of Ham Radio Culture by nobodyknowin on Monday July 29, 2024 @03:41AM (#41098589)

Thank you for your response.

I did get my novice license (or whatever the lowest license is called) but never got an old borrowed radio to actually transmit. Then life kind of got in the way.

I keep meaning to get back into it, the sstv and various data networks are really cool. I really dig the analog tech.

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Re:The Rich History of Ham Radio Culture by wkat4242 on Monday July 29, 2024 @04:57AM (#41098957)

Yeah even if you move to another country you don't have to do the test again. You can just transfer your license.

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Re:The Rich History of Ham Radio Culture by wkat4242 on Monday July 29, 2024 @04:56AM (#41098949)

Depends on country. In Holland the fee is substantial and yearly (60€ I believe).

In most other EU countries it's once off but the Dutch government wants money for everything.

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Re:The Rich History of Ham Radio Culture by sharksauce on Monday July 29, 2024 @05:02PM (#41103772)

What's your go-to ~$70 radio? I have a couple of Baofengs but you get what you pay for with those.

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Re:The Rich History of Ham Radio Culture by avidiax on Monday July 29, 2024 @08:01PM (#41104851)

I have heard good things about the Quansheng UV-K5/8/99. Primarily because there is a hack firmware available.

If you want a "good" HT as an introduction to the hobby, then the Yaesu FT-65R or older FT-60R are both good.

A "do everything" (analog) radio might be the Yaesu VX-6R, which I previously owned. It excels on reception, and is a "tri-band" radio, but the extra band was not useful in my experience.

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