Alternative Communications??

[k0ua]

I resemble that remark.

As they say “youth is wasted on the young”.

MoKelly

Man, ain't that the truth.

 

[k0ua]

Here is where we are in Cycle 25 as to sunspot count. As you can see we are slightly ahead of predictive schedule. I am not a big believer in forecasting these types of things, but a least you can see where we are and where we have been in relative sunspot activity. This increase in sunspot activity in the 11 year cycle can be good or bad depending on your point of view and what you are trying to do and the bands of frequencies you select to use. For example as the sunspots rise you can expect longer ranges especially on the upper HF bands like the 27 Mhz CB band. These sunspots have little to no effect on VHF and UHF frequencies. Many other factors govern propagation on these frequencies. If you would like to learn more, let me know and I will try to help.

 

[LittleBill21]

What ident would you transmit if you could? Since your solution is illegal in every way shape form and fashion and you have no license of any kind nor any callsign?

4 repeaters in your area? Are those ham repeaters? And you are licensed to use them right?. What did you say your callsign was? I didn't think so.

calm down whacker, i actually have a license, i let him know it wasn't complaint, he can decide if he wants to take on the FCC ( insert sarcasm here)

 

[Jchonline]

As you know I am a licensed Amateur radio operator.

I will not Chastise you or break my fingers typing to you.

BUT, however comma, Have you considered the WHY the FCC does not want you to use your Baeofeng UV-5R on part 95 frequencies or anywhere else outside of amateur bands? Have you thought about that? And do you care?

Since you do not have your Amateur license and have not studied or taken any tests, you will not likely know.

I can give you the main reason: Baofengs are filthy. Yes very dirty from an electrical spectrum purity standpoint. They are not type accepted because they would not pass type acceptance. What does that mean you ask? It means you are not being a good neighbor and causing interference to others when you use it.

So to all the people that have bought type 95 accepted equipment and repeater owners who have spent thousands of dollars plus ongoing maintenance to keep the repeater systems running, along comes the filthy dirty Baofeng to cause interference to these people.

They bought their products in good faith and with the implied guarantee that all users will us type accepted equipment. By the way I own a Baofeng. I don't use it on anything but amateur frequencies where the requirements are much less stringent and the results of interference are less consequential.

Why do the Chinese sell these things? Because they can. China is not a good neighbor in the world, and that covers the entire spectrum of products they make. China is always looking for a shortcut, and we gullible and "cheap" consumers are always looking for a bargain no matter the actual and true costs.

There is nothing that China does that is good for America. Nothing. Everything they do is good for China.

Also an amateur radio operator and I agree with James. I like many others bought a Baofeng years ago, but quickly learned just now much interference they generate. If you want a great entry 2m radio I recommend the Kenwood TH-K20A. Rugged, 5.5W, great range. The technician license is easy. Just study for a few weeks and you will have the world to talk to (with Dstar/DMR/repeaters) Wife and I use 2 of the Kenwoods and they are awesome. Of course I have a bunch of HF stuff at the base station as well, but for local comms you can beat 2m.

 

[bunyip]

Back in the mid 80's radio comms were cost prohibitive for a lot of farmers, a friend of ours put a flagpole up at his house that he could see from most places on his property, he had a system of coloured flags to receive a message from the operator (his wife), simple and it worked.
Now we have UHF CB with repeaters everywhere, cheap and no licence required, 80 channels, 27mhz is almost a distant memory although there is a marine 27mhz which a different frequency range to CB (which we call childrens band with all the idiots who get on it).

 

[Jchonline]

I'm not sure many HAMs use repeater books anymore, just the old guys (insert loving tone). Many apps available that will use your location to identify the nearest repeaters and nodes with varying levels of access information depending on the repeater.

I load all of the area repeaters into my HT with the appropriate names, so I know which one to switch to as I am in the area.

 

[k0ua]

calm down whacker, i actually have a license, i let him know it wasn't complaint, he can decide if he wants to take on the FCC ( insert sarcasm here)

You can be a scofflaw, and you can recommend illegal means and methods to people if you like. I notice you hide behind a "handle" and didn't post your callsign for the whole world to see did you?

But in fairness to the people you are trying to make recommendations to, They don't know any better, but you do know better, you had to work for a license and the knowledge to do thing correctly. It is bad form to help people down the "primrose path" when you just as easily can point people down the right path.

And just so the person will know, it is not the FCC you are going to have to "take on" at least not at first. Who you are going to have to "take on" are your licensed amateur radio neighbors. They will be the ones that will advise you at first to cease and desist your operations, and then they will start gathering data on who you are, where you are, and your operations. Then and only then will they try to make a case to the FCC if you continue and are persistent.

The FCC doesn't really have any mobile monitors to speak of any more and don't usually "make their own cases" No they rely on complaints, and if the complaints get loud enough they will levy fines and if need be bring US Marshalls in really serious cases. If you don't believe it just interfere with law enforcement or public safety frequency's. And you could even be interfering with public safety frequency's an not even know it, and see how long you last.

Ok, you think I am a "whacker", and that is fine, But at least you know who I am and where I live and you also know now that I believe in lawful operation and don't give people information that might possibly get them into trouble with Federal Agencies.

 

[k0ua]

Back in the mid 80's radio comms were cost prohibitive for a lot of farmers, a friend of ours put a flagpole up at his house that he could see from most places on his property, he had a system of coloured flags to receive a message from the operator (his wife), simple and it worked.
Now we have UHF CB with repeaters everywhere, cheap and no licence required, 80 channels, 27mhz is almost a distant memory although there is a marine 27mhz which a different frequency range to CB (which we call childrens band with all the idiots who get on it).

You are very fortunate to have an excellent UHF no license required and universally accepted by the public communications system. We in the USA have a "mish mosh" of services to try to accomplish the same thing. Hence the confusion of many here, constantly asking "what should I use" questions. You guys "down under" know exactly what to get and use.

 

[Torvy]

Yeah, but the keyword is OLD Missouri boy. I am an old dog laying on the porch. My running days are over ..

My roots are there. Near Jamestown and California, MO. Daddy's family were there well before the War between the States. Had to leave during the Depression.

 

[k0ua]

My roots are there. Near Jamestown and California, MO. Daddy's family were there well before the War between the States. Had to leave during the Depression.

I am way down south, near Branson.